Debt National Programme Procurement Lead
£70,000 per annum
Bedford
Permanent
Hybrid Working
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.
We are looking for a commissioning professional, not a traditional procurement specialist.
The role requires someone who can use procurement as an enabler of outcomes, rather than defaulting to a process-led, compliance-heavy approach. Candidates must understand that purpose and delivery outcomes should drive the procurement approach, not the other way round
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
To be successful in this role, you’ll need:
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
Our Recruitment Process
We keep things simple, fair, and transparent:
Step 1: Submit Your Application
Open: 08/06/2026 | Deadline: 29/06/2026
To apply, please submit the following documents:
- A cover letter (maximum 750 words). Please structure your cover letter as below:
- Essential Criteria
Using the Essential and Desirable Criteria, provide concise examples that demonstrate your judgement, level of responsibility and impact.
Step 2: Telephone Interview
Between 08/06/2026 – 29/06/2026
If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to a telephone interview with one of our recruiters. This is an opportunity to:
- Discuss your experience in more detail
- Learn more about the role and our organisation
- Ask any questions you may have
Step 3: Final Stage Interview
Hosted on 10th July 2026
Successful candidates from the telephone interview will be invited to attend an in-person interview in our Bedford office
This stage will consist of:
- A short presentation and discussion, followed by
- A structured interview
Together, these will explore how candidates apply their experience, judgement and skills to scenarios relevant to the role.
We follow fair, open, and merit‑based recruitment in line with the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.
About Us
MaPS is based in bright, modern offices in Bedford, and we’re here to help people across the UK feel more confident and informed about their money.
Our values guide how we work together:
- Caring – for colleagues and the communities we support
- Connecting – building supportive, positive relationships
- Transforming – creating impact that truly matters
We’re proud to foster an inclusive, welcoming culture. Our colleague networks include LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, women’s health, men’s health and ethnicity groups — and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.
What We Offer
- 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.
Important Information About Applying
- Please apply only via official MaPS links - we can’t accept applications via email or unauthorised sites.
- MaPS is unable to offer visa sponsorship.
Reserve List: If you're successful at interview, we may place you on a reserve list for up to 6 months. If a similar role becomes available, you may be offered it without the need for another assessment.
If you believe your application hasn’t followed the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles, you can contact [email protected]. If unresolved, you may then contact the Civil Service Commission.
Job Reference: MaPS01206
Close Date: 29/06/2026
