Debt National Programme Procurement Lead in Bedford

Ready to make a real difference? Join us at the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) as our Debt National Programme Procurement Lead. This is your chance to play a meaningful role in helping people across the UK build stronger financial futures and to do it as part of a supportive, energetic team.

Why This Role Matters

Sitting in the commissioning team in the debt function, support the Strategic Debt Commissioning Lead in ensuring MaPS procures client-focused, high quality debt advice services. Working alongside commercial/procurement, finance, policy and delivery specialists in a matrix team. Contributing to the design, development and delivery of robust complex debt advice funding scheme(s) through the phases of pre-procurement, competition, mobilisation through to supporting BAU management.

What you’ll be doing

• Proactively lead pre‑market engagement from a national services perspective, shaping commercial strategy and using market intelligence to inform scope, risk allocation and delivery models.
• Design robust and compliant terms and funding models, working jointly with the MaPS commercial team to develop the procurement approach, competitive process and associated documentation.
• Draft, review and manage all contract documentation, including specifications, schedules, KPIs, payment mechanisms and performance frameworks.
• Advise on how contract and grant terms can be used to realise policy objectives and drive service quality and value for money.
• Support the Commissioning Lead in developing and assessing options for Business Cases, ensuring alignment with MaPS policy, Commercial, Finance and governance requirements, including contractual risk assessment and mitigation.
• Contribute to the drafting of relevant business cases, leading where appropriate.
• Design and deliver programme specific competitive procurement processes in line with public procurement regulations, Functional Standards and MaPS commercial policies including advising on procurement documentation, evaluation models, scoring criteria, weightings and award approach.
• Develop procurement timetables and communications, working closely with the Communications Lead to ensure compliant and effective supplier engagement.
• Design and deliver end‑to‑end tender evaluation and award processes, working collaboratively with evaluation panels and enabling proportionate dialogue where permitted.
• Support service mobilisation, including transition planning, service transfer arrangements and readiness for contract commencement.
• Work with delivery colleagues to build in effective programme management, performance monitoring and change control throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Engage with central government colleagues to ensure a smooth passage through onward governance.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, influencing decision‑makers on commercial and contractual matters.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (commercial, legal, policy, finance and delivery) to resolve complex issues and support successful outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with contractual reporting, assurance and audit requirements, including those required by central government.
• Support capability building and knowledge transfer.

What You’ll Bring

Essential

• Experience and working knowledge of commissioning services, ideally within the public sector including how funded services are scoped, developed, awarded and managed across the commissioning lifecycle.
• Commercial awareness, including an understanding of procurement within government.
• Demonstrable experience of being self-driven, acting and delivering autonomously.
• Extensive experience of leading stakeholder engagement and influencing senior stakeholders outside of your team.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate complex issues clearly and succinctly both orally and in writing.
• Ability to understand and identify risks and issues and develop and deliver appropriate remedial or mitigating actions.

Desirable

• An understanding of central government commissioning including associated drafting of business cases using the five case business case model.
• An understanding or working knowledge of the Third Sector, in particular, community-based public or charitable services.
• An understanding of the debt advice sector.

Personal Attributes

• Stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Strategic problem‑solver and decision‑maker with a risk mindset.
• Reliable team player, with strong communication skills.

Benefits

• 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Pension contributions matched 2 to 1 (employer contribution up to 10% of your salary).
• Season ticket loan.
• Cycle to work scheme (up to £3,000).
• Subsidised eye tests & flu jabs.
• Life assurance.
• EAP Assist & Life Enhanced family and sick pay.
• 2 paid volunteering days.
• Recognition scheme.
• Retail discounts portal.

Flexible Working

We believe work should fit around life. This Bedford‑based role offers genuine flexibility so you can balance work, family, and personal commitments. We come together for purposeful team collaboration to stay connected and drive great results.

Career Development

We love supporting internal growth and progression, while continuing to follow fair and open Civil Service recruitment practices.