Siobhán tells us about her role as a Category Specialist Higher with the Office of Government Procurement and how her background working in startups in the private sector helped give her a seemless transition into the OGP.
Please tell us a little bit about your role.
I joined the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) in June 2015 in the role of Category Specialist Higher (CSH) within the Sourcing function. This function comprises a number of Portfolios, for example; ICT, Facilities Management, Marketing-Office-Vehicles-Energy, Professional Services. Each Portfolio is further broken down into specialist Categories which carry out public procurement on behalf of the State. For the past eight years I have worked in the Travel-HR-Managed Services (THRMS) Portfolio, across three of its Categories; Travel and Transport, HR, Training services. These Categories put public procurement arrangements (Frameworks and bespoke Contracts) in place to meet the needs of our Clients, for example Central Government departments, Local Government, Health, Defence and Education. These arrangements can either serve the needs of one individual Public Service Body or put solutions in place for whole-of-Government service offerings. I have found my role across each of these very different Categories equally interesting and rewarding. I am keenly aware that the work I do every day directly improves the lives of Civil and Public Servants as well as the ordinary person in the street, helping to make their lives better in a real and meaningful way.
What were your reasons for applying for Category Specialist Higher in the OGP?
Having worked in the private sector for 20 years, I was seeking a change and fresh start in a new work environment. Although a number of my roles had involved various strands of procurement such as commodity management and supply chain management, I had never worked in public procurement and looked forward to taking on this new challenge. Another reason for applying for the role of CSH was the opportunity to bring my Six Sigma / Process Improvement knowledge with me into the Civil Service, as well as my previous experience in start-up work environments – the OGP was a newly formed organisation and provided the opportunity for its staff to have an impact and make a difference in shaping this new organisation. .
What are some of the benefits and supports available to you?
There are numerous practical benefits and supports available to me as a CSH within the OGP. From a geographic perspective, the OGP has offices in 5 locations nationwide from which I could work. Taking ‘Leave’ as another example, in addition to standard Annual Leave I also have access to a wide range of other Leave options, both paid and unpaid, including ‘Flexi’ Leave and ‘Shorter Working Year’ off-pay or prorated. Under the Blended Working Policy I can work from home a set number of days each week. With respect to staff Wellbeing, our People and Culture team frequently arranges a broad variety of online training sessions for Wellbeing, Finances, Parenting, etc. In addition to the above, I am availing of the in-house Mentoring Programme which will help me to accelerate my personal and professional development. All of the above people-focused initiatives are crucial to supporting a healthy lifestyle, good mental health and a positive work-life balance.
What opportunities has this role provided for you?
The OGP has offered me countless opportunities to become involved in the shaping of the organisation and in my own personal development, as much or as little as I choose – all of which make me feel valued and appreciated. For example I am a member of (and have Chaired) the ‘EMPOWERed’ employee engagement group. This proactive employee-focused group has been instrumental in shaping a number of OGP initiatives and fostering the highest standards of ethics, integrity and inclusion across our organisation. I have had a voice at the table in designing and implementing the OGP Values and Culture Survey 2020, the Statement of Strategy, the Skills Register, the OGP Leadership Model and the Great Place to Work project, to name but a few opportunities provided to me in my role as OGP CSH. My membership of this type of group also provides me with valuable networking opportunities – I have come to know a pool of colleagues across the entire OGP who I can contact at any time for help or feedback. With respect to my personal development in my role as CSH, I have availed of further education in the form of a Higher Diploma in Public Procurement Law (King’s Inns, Dublin) and the Certificate in Civil Service and State Agency Studies (IPA, Dublin), all paid by the OGP.
What has surprised you since joining the OGP?
Having worked in the private sector for so many years, I was not sure what to expect in my move to the public sector. I was surprised and pleased to discover a new and vibrant organisation which offered me the opportunities to get involved, not only within my own Category and Portfolio but beyond into the wider organisation. I had never worked in public procurement but was immediately supported by management and colleagues in taking on the very steep learning curve. The OGP affords a friendly and supportive environment where I was encouraged to reach out and ask questions, allowing me to thrive in my role as CSH.
What aspect of the role do you particularly enjoy?
Since joining the OGP, I have enjoyed being able to volunteer for a number of ‘extra-curricular’ events which add variety and colour to my CSH role and allow me to push myself outside of my comfort zone. For example, I was one of four staff members who presented the Sourcing function (‘Sourcing Spotlight’) at the 2021 OGP Staff Conference to an online audience of the 250-strong OGP staff (online due to Covid). On two other occasions I represented OGP Sourcing at the InterTradeIreland ‘Meet the Buyer’ events in Dublin and Belfast. Earlier this year I presented the service offerings of the Training and HR Categories to the Procurement Officer Network in Mullingar to a live audience of approx 60 and an online audience of approx 600. These events offer invaluable opportunities to meet new people and enhance my knowledge and skillset. On a different note, one of my proudest achievements as CSH since working in the OGP relates to the career development and progression, from foundation to promotion, of my reporting Category Specialist (CS) who was recently promoted to CSH after 3 years with the OGP. Working closely with this CS and together finding new ways to overcome obstacles throughout the Covid-19 pandemic has been an extremely enjoyable and rewarding aspect of my role as CSH.
Would you recommend a career in the public sector and why?
I can honestly say that I would highly recommend a career in the OGP to anyone looking for an interesting and challenging job, aspects of which can change from one day to the next depending on how much or little you choose to become involved in ‘extra-curricular’ groups and activities. The OGP Values are “We care, we empower, we are inclusive, we lead the way, we make a difference” – I am very proud of the work carried out by the OGP, practicing these values and making a real positive difference to the lives of our citizens.