Nahid Alaei, Procurement and Contracts Management

Lambeth Council

My role:

Procurement and Contracts Management Officer I work in Lambeth Adults and Community Services Procurement team. Using the principles of Managing Successful Programmes, I manage contracts performance and draft Contracts Performance Review Reports in line with BVFM requirement, consistently meeting procurement targets relating to quality, value, innovation and customer satisfaction. These reports will be submitted to Head of Service and Departmental Procurement Boards. As Procurement and Contracts Management lead officer for Mental Health, Carers, and Community Day Centre Transport contracts, I support and deliver the Category Strategy in line with Lambeth Procurement Strategy and the overall Council Strategy. This supports the council vision for a sustainable and more prosperous community, in line with Sustainable Community Strategy. I support the maximisation of contract compliance by council managers and suppliers across the categories. I draft and agree procedures with different partners in Health (SLAM, PCT) and internal services and the suppliers side to set service agreements and improve standards of service delivery. I take the lead and support Suppliers Forums events to support improved communication and collaborative work across the contracts. I manage projects including Lambeth/CQC Improvement Plan project (MH contracts), and Lambeth / Exor Accreditation Project.

The Challenge, Why did you apply?

I applied for the challenge because:

• I would like to develop my skills in a real life challenge environment

• I would like to learn from the experiences obtained from the challenge in my future career

• I would like to learn from the talents and experiences offered by other challengers in problem solving

• I would like to network with colleagues with similar aptitude and varied experiences and background

• I would like to work with and identify opportunities for collaborative work

• I would like to use the scholarship to support me in additional trainings and furthering my career

• I am dedicated to try my own talent, skills and experiences through ongoing effort and new challenges

What would you do with the £10,000 scholarship if you won?

What would I do with the scholarship if I won!!

• Well that is the fun part!!!. I will pay for a MSP course (Managing Successful Programmes!) to build up on my PRINCE 2 knowledge. I have been hoping to do this course for 2 years and this would provide the opportunity to finally complete it.

• I will also pay for a level 4 course of study in CIPS (Purchasing and Supplies course) to develop my knowledge and upgrade my professional membership with CIPS.

• I will think about the remaining funds and how to utilise it, when I win the prize!!!!