Contract & Procurement Specialist- Red Deer

Government of Alberta•Edmonton, AB

4d•CA$82,168 - CA$107,710•Onsite

About The Position

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. The Employment and Financial Services (EFS) division works to foster a society in which families are secure and resilient, individuals have safe, sustainable employment, vulnerable Albertans have the supports they require, and no one is left behind. The Employment Services Branch, within EFS division, plays an integral role in providing innovative employment programs and services that assist Albertans in connecting to the Labour Market through the delivery of Career and Employment Information Services and other services to the Ministry through the use of contracts and grants. The Contract and Procurement Specialist (CPS) position reports to a Manager within the Employment Services Branch. The CPS is responsible for planning, procuring, managing, reporting on, and administering various types of agreements related to Career and Employment Information Services (CEIS). They draw on strong working knowledge across social programs, including service design, implementation, and delivery. Familiarity with associated legislative, policy, and practice frameworks is critical to plan for, procure, and monitor services that meet the needs of Ministry stakeholders. A thorough understanding of current Labour Market needs, paired with technical proficiency, is critical to effective contract and grant management. The CPS works independently, with political acumen and autonomy, and has advanced negotiation, monitoring, and consultative skills. This role requires the development and maintenance of a strong network of collaborative relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including EFS delivery staff, service providers, and employers, to assess service needs, identify emerging issues, and ensure that services are in place to meet needs within the mandate of the Ministry, Division, and Branch.

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.
1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated procurement and project management experience, including planning, negotiation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of service agreements.
Strong writing skills, including experience preparing briefings, Action Requests, and summarizing complex information.
Solid understanding of financial administration, including forecasting, expenditure management, and accrual processes.
Experience working with community-based service providers and building relationships with diverse stakeholders, including Indigenous communities, newcomers, persons with disabilities, and equity-deserving communities.
Strong understanding of policy integration within contracts and grants.
Knowledge of employment and career service programming, including labour market attachment, and experience applying relevant policies to support service delivery and outcomes.
Understanding of external service delivery models and federal reporting requirements.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Excel) and experience using systems or web-based tools for contract, grant, or client tracking.
Demonstrated leadership experience, including guiding stakeholders, influencing decisions, and supporting collaborative outcomes.

Responsibilities

Planning and Analysis: Identifying trends and leveraging opportunities to procure, meaningful and quality services to meet the dynamic needs of clients, the labour market, and the Ministry. Providing an accurate and thorough analysis and recommendations for investment planning. Collating data and visualizing information for investment planning including building budget models and completing forecasting activities.
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication: Building and sustaining collaborative relationships with key stakeholders, including organizations or groups representing equity-deserving communities, Employment Service Providers and Indigenous Groups. Leveraging these relationships to identify emerging gaps and service needs and inform unit and branch priorities. Effectively procuring, monitoring, evaluating service agreements, maintaining relationships with key stakeholders and drafting briefings and position papers.
Procurement Management: Managing procurement activities throughout the agreement lifecycle, including planning, administering, monitoring, and evaluating contracts and grants to ensure alignment with ministry policies and compliance with applicable legislation and procurement requirements. Prioritizing competing demands and operating effectively within tight timelines in a complex environment.
Reporting: Collaborating with program delivery staff, service providers, employers, and other stakeholders to monitor and manage contracts and grants, ensuring compliance with agreements and policy. Preparing reports on service utilization and performance to inform leadership decision-making and support recommendations regarding service effectiveness, continuation, or completion.