Junior Procurement Specialist (Program Admin Officer 1-2)

Competition # : 43320

Department: Service Nova Scotia

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: 01-Jul-24 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

Procurement is a division of the Department of Service Nova Scotia (“SNS”) that manages major purchases for departments, agencies, boards and commissions and their complex business needs. In Procurement, we ensure an open and fair purchasing process that maximizes competition and supporting the environment, economy, and society to obtain the best value. We provide the knowledge and expertise required to guide government as it seeks unique, creative, sustainable procurement solutions for complex business needs.

Procurement is changing as a function within the enterprise and as a profession. Our vision is to be the leader in government procurement service delivery, and we will achieve this through integrating an innovative approach in all procurement efforts, resulting in:

• Responsible management of public resources;
• Clear client focus;
• Optimized sourcing solutions; and
• Transparency, compliance, and sustainability accountability to our colleagues and customers

What is Procurement?

Procurement is defined as the activities involved in establishing requirements, sourcing activities, market research, and negotiation of contracts to acquire products or services.

Moreover, procurement exists to explore supply market opportunities and to implement sourcing strategies that deliver the best possible outcome to the organization, its stakeholders, and Nova Scotia overall. SNS Procurement provides knowledge and expertise to guide our clients as they seek unique, creative, sustainable procurement solutions for complex business needs.

Clinical Procurement provides these services to health care organizations in Nova Scotia, including Nova Scotia Health.

About Our Opportunity

The Junior Procurement Specialist is responsible for the total procurement process as it relates to Procurement and Contract Management activities of a lower risk and complexity nature. This role will provide advice and consultation regarding strategic sourcing methodologies, procurement leading practices and sourcing performance progress.

Qualifications and Experience

To be successful in this role, you will have a bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of 1 year of related experience in procurement; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Related experience includes:

• Project management
• Leading end to end RFX
• Contract drafting
• Contract negotiation
• Strategic sourcing

You also must have the following skills or work experience:

• Interpersonal and creativity skills with a high degree of diplomacy in providing advice and guidance to senior management, as well as being effective to address/resolve vendor and client complaints and queries.
• Ability to identify, manage and mitigate risks and disputes that could result in legal action or have the potential to create the perception of distrust in the Procurement Process;
• Ability to adapt rapidly to changing circumstances and environments;
• Advanced demonstrable time management and organizational skills;
• Excellent skills with the Microsoft Office suite especially Excel; and
• Ability to manage and coordinate meetings with both stakeholders and vendor industry (In-person and virtually).

The following would be considered assets:

• Completion or partial completion of Certification/Training such as PMAC, PSPP, SCMA and PMP;
• Experience working in a clinical procurement environment
• Experience in public procurement
• Experience with SAP (procurement modules) and SAP Ariba.
• Experience in market sounding; and
• Experience in data analytics

We may assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a , Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here:

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless Career Paths.
• Department Specific Flexible working schedules

Pay Grade: PR 06 - PR 10

Salary Range: $1,924.95 - $2,760.42 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement:

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.

This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link:

Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued.

External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to [email protected].