Job Description

Are you a strong communicator who enjoys engaging with a wide range of stakeholders across an organisation? If so, this could be the perfect role for you. Social Security Scotland are looking for a B1 Procurement Portfolio Officer.

Procurement is much more than buying the goods, services or works the public sector need. Colleagues in the profession balance cost, quality and time considerations. It’s also about ensuring we use our collective spending power to innovate and to deliver social, economic and environmental outcomes aligned to Scotland’s National Performance Framework. For more information on the work Social Security Scotland’s Procurement team do, please see the following link: Procurement and commercial - Social Security Scotland

As a Procurement Portfolio Officer, you’ll be responsible for managing the procurement of public contracts across a wide variety of goods and services—many of which support some of the most vital areas of government.

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a dynamic and supportive environment, as part of a professional procurement team delivering and managing contracts for Social Security Scotland. The role also offers excellent prospects for career development within a specialist and impactful profession. We also offer study leave and financial support to help you build your career by undertaking professional studies with the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)

Responsibilities

• Leading end-to-end low- and medium-value/risk procurements and supporting senior procurement staff on high-value/risk procurements, ensuring compliance with legislation and optimising value for money while addressing Scottish Government.
• Engaging effectively and building good working relationships with a range of customers and strategic suppliers to deliver credible procurement projects.
• Providing advice and guidance on procurement policy and procedures and best practice to staff and stakeholders. Responsible for communicating business issues clearly and concisely.
• Using appropriate procurement tools, techniques, best practice and systems in the procurement project activity, and supporting team members and leaders in managing the team MI and systems.
• Supporting Senior Procurement staff with contract management by preparing agendas, taking meeting minutes, and tracking action items.
• Working flexibly within the team, Division and across the Directorate to help deliver the organisation’s wider goals in line with the Directorate Plan.

Qualifications
There are no qualification requirements for this role, however the successful candidate will be expected to work towards a CIPS Level 3 Advanced Certificate once in post.

Success Profiles
We use an assessment framework called ‘Success Profiles’ which lists the elements we test and provides detailed descriptions of each.Find out more about the framework here

For this post, the following Success Profile elements will be assessed:

Experience

1. An understanding of the delivery of the end-to-end public sector procurement cycle
   

Behaviours

• Making Effective Decisions - Level 2
  Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
  
• Communicating and Influencing – Level 2
  Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
  
• Managing a Quality Service – Level 2
  Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
  
• Delivering at Pace – Level 2
  Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
  

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here: Success Profiles - Civil Service Behaviours (publishing.service.gov.uk) 

How to Apply
Apply online, you must provide a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the Success Profiles above. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV and personal statement on the Experience success profile mentioned above. Candidates who successfully pass this initial sift will have their applications fully assessed.

If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation.

We aim to provide feedback on request. However, if we receive a large number of applications it may not be possible for us to provide specific feedback on your application. We will provide feedback on request to candidates who attend an interview/assessment.

Information Session  
We will be hosting a candidate information session where we will be discussing the application / interview process, as well as further information on the role and team.

The session will be held on Wednesday 27th May 2026 at 13:00 - 14:00.

Please join us using the link below:

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/365069421427274-p=3NoV Q9z9rPSYeA5IyU

Expected Timeline (subject to change)
Sift – 10th June 2026
Interview – week commencing 6th July 2026
Location – Microsoft Teams

Reserve List  
In the event that there are more successful candidates than posts available, a reserve list will be kept for up to 12 months. 

About Us 
Social Security Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. Our benefits help people from all walks of life in Scotland. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that is representative of the clients we serve. Find more about us here.  

We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer. 

As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.   

Working Pattern
Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options, depending on the needs of the role. We embrace a hybrid working style where all colleagues will spend time in either our Dundee or Glasgow offices. There is an expectation of a minimum 2 days per week in your assigned location, which will be either Agnes Husband House, South Union Street, Dundee or 220 High Street, Glasgow.  If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us. 

Security Checks
Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).

You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide. 

Equality Statement 
Social Security Scotland are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.   

Social Security Scotland are a Disability Confident Employer. We will consider and implement any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process and during the course of your employment, should you be successful in securing a post. If you feel you may require assistance with any part of our recruitment process, please contact us at recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer support and recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

Right to Work in the UK
Social Security Scotland is an approved sponsor under the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Please note that UK immigration guidance, including skill and salary thresholds and eligible occupations, is reviewed regularly and subject to change. If you require visa sponsorship, you should check the latest criteria to confirm whether this role meets current requirements before applying. You can find further advice on Gov.UK - Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK

Further Information
The successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 3 years unless successful in gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.

Social Security Scotland’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the recruitment principles of the Civil Service Commissioner, which outline that selection for appointment be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition - Recruitment - Civil Service Commission

If you feel at any time your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, you can make a complaint, by contacting Social Security Scotland at recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commissioner.

Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website. 

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes. 

If you experience any difficulties accessing our website or completing the online application form, please contact the Resourcing Team via recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot

Apply before 23:55 on 3rd June 2026

Contact Name - Lauren Lochhead
Contact Email – Lauren.Lochhead@socialsecurity.gov.scot