We are seeking a talented individual with experience of procuring long-term waste treatment contracts, who has a deep knowledge of waste strategy and treatment technologies, and excellent programme management skills.
The Resources and Waste Strategy (2018) set out a clear strategic aim and objective to move waste up the waste hierarchy, prevent waste from arising and increase recycling. Government’s Simpler Recycling reforms and the Waste Prevention programme for England will help to deliver against these objectives, as will the forthcoming Circular Economy Strategy for England. The County Council is investing to meet these requirements and is ambitious to be amongst the best performers in the country.
About the job
You will provide programme management and governance support to the Waste Services procurement and Contract Expiry programme. This will include the expiry and demobilisation of the current Private Finance Initiative (PFI) Recycling and Waste Handling Services Contract (RWHC) in 2033 and the expiry of the Materials Resource Management Contract (MRMC) in 2035. It will also include the procurement of new contracts to be in place at expiry of the current contracts.
You will support the Head of Waste in establishing the long-term vision, strategic aims, objectives and priorities for the Recycling and Waste Service, and lead on the development of a procurement strategy that will provide safe, clean and cost-effective waste treatment solutions for the next generation.
The postholder will provide specialist expertise and advice on waste procurement, waste infrastructure and technology, statutory duties or powers, emerging developments and best practice to Elected Members, the Service Director for Environment and Public Protection, the Head of Waste and Partner Authorities.
You will lead procurement project teams, work closely with waste service managers, support services and technical advisors to ensure a managed expiry and demobilisation of current contract arrangements and that future waste management solutions are procured effectively.
What you’ll need to succeed
For this role you will be expected to demonstrate relevant skills and experiences including:
• Significant experience of large infrastructure and service procurement projects.
• Strong programme management & project management skills.
• Ability to challenge existing practices and identify innovative solutions.
• Effective budget management and performance management.
• Consensus building and working effectively within multi-disciplinary teams.
• Ability to understand complex technological, commercial and legal documents and communicate these clearly and effectively to non-specialist audiences.
• Integrity, openness, and an awareness of others.
Key Responsibilities
Reporting to the Head of Waste and working with the Service Director for Environment & Public Protection, to plan and deliver an effective expiry of existing waste PFI and PPP contracts, developing a future procurement strategy and leading the re-procurement of contracts.
Establish effective programme governance arrangements through the establishment of a programme board. Produce reports for review by the board and presenting at board meetings. Convene and lead a project team comprising in-house legal, finance, technical and procurement leads together with external advisors to:
- plan and oversee contract expiry and hand-back requirements for the council’s Recycling & Waste Handling Contract (RWHC) and Materials Resource Management Contract (MRMC).
• develop a future procurement strategy to replace the RWHC and MRMC contracts that considers statutory duties and powers, operational constraints, cost and performance requirements, best available technologies, market conditions, political considerations and any other relevant factors.
• procure future waste treatment, recycling and transport contracts.
Leading on the mobilisation of contracts in due course and managing an effective handover to business-as-usual operations.
Qualifications & Experience
- You will hold Post graduate professional qualification relevant either to programme or project management or to waste management OR equivalent level of significant experience
demonstrating comprehensive application of the above levels of knowledge in a relevant setting. - Relevant chartered status of a relevant professional body or equivalent high-level experience of involved practices.
- Experience of leading multi-disciplinary teams.
- Experienced with managing budgets.
- Prior experience managing public sector procurement projects.
- Experience of procuring large infrastructure and service contracts.
- Experience of motivating staff and developing an effective team to work together to meet objectives.
Rewards and Benefits
- From flexible working (where possible) to access to our Employee Assistance Programme, we are committed to providing a healthy work life balance.
- A laptop and mobile will be supplied if applicable to your role. You will benefit from generous amount of annual leave, plus the opportunity to buy additional leave, an excellent local government pension scheme as well as a range of discounts giving our staff access to hundreds of offers.
- For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit our Rewards and Benefits page.
Further Information
The reference number for this role is EIE01549.
Applicants are strongly advised to arrange an informal conversation for further information regarding the role; please contact Gareth Rollings (Head of Waste, Wastes Management Services) on Gareth.Rollings@westsussex.gov.uk
For an informal conversation regarding the application process, please contact Rachael Doolan (Recruitment Specialist) at Rachael.Doolan@westsussex.gov.uk
Location: Your office base will be County Hall, Chichester, a typical week will combine homeworking with attendance at the office at least once a week and/ site visits. This is led by the needs of the service.
Working pattern: Full-time, 37 hours per week. Flexible working options available, to be agreed with your line manager.
Interviews: week commencing 29th June
