Category Lead- ICT

Job summary

• Category Lead – ICT
• Based at Hanslope Park near Milton Keynes
• Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park

At FCDO Services we protect the UK’s interests at home and overseas. We design and construct secure government buildings and courier diplomatic packages worldwide, safeguard government tech and a whole lot more. Our work is as varied and vital as it gets, but we never lose sight of our people. Their skills, aspirations and growth mean as much as the global mission we’re on. In our world, it all matters.

Job description

Behind every modern embassy or overseas project we support, there’s a dedicated Procurement team here in the UK making it all happen. They strive to provide value for money supply chains in a compliant manner to support the organisation, FCDO and our wider market customers, shaping strategies for sustainable and ethical sourcing. And now, you've got the opportunity to join them.

Sourcing for global projects.

Balancing cost with quality.

Having everything you need to grow.

It all matters.

Shape ICT category strategy with global impact

You’ll head up the team procuring any technical and ICT related products or services needed across FCDO Services. It could be hardware, software, specialist equipment – anything that’s required to deliver the very best results for our customers. You’ll support and guide the team so they can manage ICT procurement and any supplier relationships more effectively, while you collaborate closely with the wider business to shape category strategy that has impact across continents.

That means understanding FCDO Services’ future ICT requirements and keeping an eye on the bigger picture. You’ll be on the pulse of what’s happening across different teams, able to manage risk and spot opportunities in the supply chain. The ultimate aim? To make sure we’re getting the right ICT services and products, at the right time, at the right price.

Empower your team – and deliver for people everywhere

It goes without saying that you’ll be a subject matter expert in Procurement, preferably in ICT. But we’re also looking for an excellent team leader: someone who inspires and empowers people and helps them go from strength to strength. You’ll trust them to make procurement decisions, and you’ll naturally know how to best support them.

Thanks to the ever-evolving nature of our work, we need someone who’s practical, proactive and flexible. Calling upon your extensive procurement experience, you’ll be able to adapt to change and make sure everything is still delivered to the highest standards. Plus, all this will be complemented by an MCIPS professional qualification, or equivalent experience and knowledge.

Use excellent communication skills to help protect the UK’s interests

You’ll have a knack for building positive relationships with stakeholders and suppliers alike, helping you to quickly establish yourself as a trusted expert. Not only that, but you’ll also confidently navigate complex projects and manage expectations around FCDO Services. It’s all part of how you’ll uphold our customer service promise – to be reliable, responsive and build relationships.

This is a senior role packed with responsibility, and there’s plenty to look forward to. First, there’s the excellent benefits, including a Civil Service pension. Then just think of the variety day-to-day, working on unique challenges with diverse products – and getting excellent training along the way. Finally, there’s that sense of purpose: using your skills to maintain a business that helps protect people, information and assets all around the world. In short, it’s your job, bigger.

Every single colleague must be security cleared before joining us. If you’re successful in your application, we’ll ask you to undergo our vetting process to achieve Security Check (SC) clearance. You can find out more about vetting on our website: https://www.fcdoservicescareers.co.uk/how-to-apply/

To apply for the role, please visit:

Closing date: Midnight 25th October 2026

It all matters.

The vital work we do takes an incredible community of colleagues, with different skills, backgrounds, cultures and identities. We support every individual, so that you always know you’re welcome and valued. It’s what makes us a Disability Confident employer. And Employers for Carers. And it’s how you know you’re joining an inspiring, inclusive organisation.

Person specification

• MCIPS qualifications or equivalent experience
• Extensive experience of procurement, contract management, managing supplier relationships, developing strategic solutions, and risk management. Preferably in an ICT category
• Knowledge of UK procurement regulations and corporate governance
• Strong communicating, influencing and senior management/stakeholder engagement skills

Qualifications

MCIPS qualification or equivalent experience

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Commercial Awareness
• MCIPS qualification or equivalent procurement experience
• Outline your experience of procurement, contract management, managing supplier relationships, developing strategic solutions, and risk management – preferably in an ICT Category
• Outline your knowledge of UK procurement regulations and corporate governance
• Outline your experience of communicating and influencing with others including senior management/stakeholder engagement

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• MCIPS qualification or equivalent procurement experience
• Outline your experience of procurement, contract management, managing supplier relationships, developing strategic solutions, and risk management – preferably in an ICT Category
• Outline your knowledge of UK procurement regulations and corporate governance
• Outline your experience of communicating and influencing with others including senior management/stakeholder engagement

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £59,955, FCDO Services contributes

£17,368 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension
• A leave allowance of 25 days per annum
• 9 days per annum public and privilege days

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements 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, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

To apply for this role, you will be asked to provide your CV, a personal statement, and provide answers to some job specific/technical skills.

Your CV and personal statement will not form part of the assessment they will provide an insight into your work history and experience.

Your CV should include:

• no personal identifying details
• career history with key responsibilities
• achievements
• qualifications

Your personal statement should outline your interest in the role.

Candidates will only be sifted on answers provided to the technical/ job specific questions which are outlined in the application form.

Those that are successful will be invited to a Face to face interview.

At the interview you will be asked a blend of questions on technical/job specific skills and behaviours.

The candidate will need to complete a presentation along with the interview questions.

Candidates who are judged to be close to meeting the criteria may be considered for other positions in FCDO Services which may be at a lower grade, but have a potential skills match.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window) .

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window) .

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window) .

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the

Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window)

and the

Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window) .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available.

You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Fcdoservices.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk
• Email : Fcdoservices.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : Fcdoservices.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact FCDOServices.Recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk in the first instance.

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from FCDO Services, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. For more information, please visit their website.

• Attachments
• Candidate Pack- Category Lead- ICT - Copy Opens in new window (pdf, 2021kB)
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