Finance Assistant (Procurement) in Watford

We are looking to recruit a Finance Assistant (Procurement) on a part-time basis to play a key role in supporting the Council's procurement function. You will be working alongside colleagues from Stevenage Borough Council who manage the Council's procurement service and those in the East Herts Council finance team. With a mixture of home and office working, Hertford would be the main work base. The role is for 22.5 hours per week; please note the salary shown is for full-time (37 hours), and you would be paid pro-rata for 22.5 hours per week.

What will you be doing?

• Provide guidance & assistance to staff at all levels within the Council on the regulations of Local Government procurement
• Interrogate reports and analyse spend across the council, identifying possible breaches of UK and local Procurement Regulations
• Responsible for overseeing the training and support to new users of In-Tend using a variety of training materials and be the key contact in relation to queries and assistance for all users
• Market Research solutions (including potential savings) by using existing contracts and collaboration with other local authorities, Government Commercial Agency (GCA) and other framework and consortium contracts
• Ensure that the electronic Contracts Register is maintained and kept up to date both internally and on the internet

About you

• Good level of general education, preferably with GCSE or equivalent passes in English and Maths at C/4 and be prepared to work towards CIPS level 2
• Knowledge of Local Government procurement processes including Public Contract Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023 regulations
• The ability to work well under pressure and organise your time efficiently
• Detailed understanding of Councils Procurement Regulations and Financial Regulations
• Good Microsoft Office skills (including Excel and Word)
• Good interpersonal skills, including the ability to work independently and with others as part of a team
• Good communication skills, with the ability to give clear advice and support to service staff across the council
• The ability to explain procurement issues, at the appropriate level, to non-finance staff

What can we offer you?

• Opportunities for growth and cross-departmental working, learning new skills and service areas
• 26-29 days' annual leave, rising to 34 days with 5 years' local government service (pro rata)
• Usage of our e-fleet during business hours for business-related visits
• Employee well-being programme
• Employee events group
• Regular opportunities to socialise with other teams within the council
• Flexible working arrangements, including flexitime
• Up to 50% working from home for eligible posts
• Free parking in our offices and select council-owned car parks during business hours
• Access to wellbeing and occupational health schemes such as the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Local Government pension scheme
• Discounts at council-owned leisure centres
• Opportunity to network with colleagues across councils in Hertfordshire and the East of England
• Professional environment where your career path really matters, and your development is supported by the organisation

How to apply

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact us. Closing date: 21st August 2026 at midnight. Interviews will be held on: week commencing 6th September 2026.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, valuing diversity and maintaining a firm commitment to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants. We believe that creating inclusive environments leads to stronger collaboration and better outcomes in our work.