Contract & Procurement Specialist

Government of Alberta•Edmonton, AB

2d•CA$82,168 - CA$107,710•Onsite

About The Position

The Alberta Public Service works to build a stronger province for current and future generations. We make a difference in the lives of Albertans through rewarding and diverse career opportunities. The Ministry of Assisted Living and Social Services (ALSS) leads seniors, income, employment, disabilities and community-based supports, family violence prevention, and family and community support services. Employment Services in Alberta is undergoing a transformation that includes broadening its focus to support both employers and job seekers. The intent of these employer services is to increase employer activation and co-investment in building inclusive workplaces in Alberta to increase the participation of underrepresented populations in the labour market. As such, the Employment Services Branch is looking for an energetic, results-oriented Contract and Procurement Specialist with vision and passion to support the expansion of employer services and contribute to more resilient and inclusive labour markets in Alberta. Reporting to the Manager, Procurement and Resource Management, North Zone, the Contract and Procurement Specialist – Employer Services plays a key role in this transformation, including the planning, procurement, and management of contracts and grants that support the advancement of employer services within employment and social service programs across Alberta. Operating at the intersection of procurement, program delivery, strategy development, and stakeholder engagement, this role helps ensure services are coordinated, responsive, and aligned with the needs of employers, Albertans, and broader community outcomes. In this role, you will work closely with internal teams, service providers, employers, and community partners to help shape the scope of employer services, inform procurement planning, and support effective service delivery. This includes engaging stakeholders, particularly employers, to understand service needs and labour market context, and using available data and systems to support monitoring, reporting, and continuous improvement of services.

Requirements

University graduation in a related field (Social Sciences, Social Work, Human Services, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics or related field).
Four years of progressively responsible related experience in writing, particularly in responding to Action Requests, writing briefing materials, planning, contract management/negotiations, consulting, program evaluation, financial administration, and working with community-based resources.
Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of: 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the provision of labor market attachment programming and assisting Albertans in their continuum towards employment.
Experience in stakeholder engagement and consultation, in particular with employers, in the context of building more inclusive labour markets.
Solid knowledge of service procurement practices within the Government of Alberta or broader public sector environments.
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, particularly Excel, Artificial intelligence (AI), and other technological tools for reporting, analysis, and financial tracking.
Familiarity with IT solutions including the use of web-based applications for client interaction tracking and contract/grant management.
Experience working with service providers, community organizations, or multi-stakeholder partnerships to support service delivery.
Strong analytical skills, with experience interpreting data, identifying trends, and supporting evidence-based decision-making.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal teams, service providers, employers, and community stakeholders to support a shared vision for employer services in Alberta and enable coordinated service delivery and procurement activities.
Engage stakeholders to identify service needs, emerging issues, and opportunities to strengthen alignment between program delivery and labour market needs.
Support collaboration across partners by facilitating communication, coordination, and issue resolution where appropriate.
Lead or support procurement processes, including planning, development of solicitation documents, evaluation, and awarding of contracts in accordance with applicable policies and legislation.
Negotiate, implement, and administer contracts and grants, including defining terms, conditions, budgets, and risk mitigation strategies.
Ensure procurement and contract activities are aligned with ministry direction, policy requirements, and service delivery needs.
Monitor contracts and grants to ensure compliance with agreements, achievement of deliverables, and effective use of resources.
Review and reconcile financial information, including invoices, forecasts, and expenditures, to support effective budget management.
Identify and assess risks related to service delivery, contracts, or funding, and take appropriate action to mitigate or escalate as required.
Leverage technological platforms to enhance oversight, reporting and monitoring of employer services contracts and grants.
Contribute to strategic procurement planning by analyzing service delivery data, stakeholder insights, and community trends to inform strategic priorities and service approaches.
Support program evaluation and continuous improvement by applying data, stakeholder feedback, and sector insights to assess service effectiveness.
Maintain awareness of relevant legislation, policy frameworks, and program standards to inform procurement and contract management practices.