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Participating Departments

The departments and agencies participating in the scheme in 2008 are

Click on the above links to see information about each of these departments and their procurement activities.

The Department for Work and Pensions

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was created with the aim of promoting opportunity and independence for all. They have transactions with 10 million customers everyday and pay out over £100 billion a year to millions of people, including job seekers, pensioners and families. This year alone their operating and employment programme budget is £8 billion, over half of which is commercial spend. Operating in an environment of unprecedented change, procurement has a key role to play in meeting efficiency challenges over the coming years.

The DWP Procurement Community consists of The Commercial Directorate, Corporate Banking and Method of Payment, Communications Directorate, Research Framework, Medical Services and Corporate IT. They are responsible for ensuring all DWP commercial activity is carried out legally and for placing commercial arrangements that support DWP business whilst giving the best deal possible. The Department is at the forefront of sustainable development having been rated as the Department "leading the pack" by the Sustainable Development Commission

The main commercial activities of the DWP are located in London, Sheffield, Leeds, North West and North East. By joining one of these areas and gaining a wide variety of commercial experience whilst making a real contribution to the business, it is intended that the successful applicant will become one of the procurement managers of the future.

For further information visit the DWP website.

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Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)

Defra is the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, based in London. They have eight departmental strategic objectives, which are:

  • Climate change tackled internationally and through domestic action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
  • A Healthy, resilient, productive and diverse natural environment;
  • Sustainable patterns of consumption and production;
  • Economy and society resilient to environmental risk and adapted to the impacts of climate change;
  • A thriving farming and food sector with an improving net environmental impact;
  • Sustainable Development championed across government, across the UK, and internationally;
  • Strong rural communities; and
  • A respected department delivering efficient and high quality services and outcomes.
  

The Director of Purchasing and Supply is responsible for assuring that public procurement is conducted with propriety, regularity and value for money. Total annual departmental spending is £3.72 billion; spending by Local Authorities on functions relevant to the department is £4.7 billion; procurement of goods, services and works is £1.373 billion; capital expenditure £906 million; assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet £1.97 billion; and administration (net of income) is £285.5 million.

For further information see the Defra website.

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NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency

The aim of the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency is to modernise and improve the performance of the NHS purchasing and supply system and act as a centre of expertise, knowledge and excellence on these matters for the benefit of patients and the public.

As well as developing purchasing and supply policy for the NHS, they carry out and support major procurement projects on behalf of the NHS - in some instances acting as the lead body for pan-government projects. Major current procurement areas include energy, pharmaceuticals, temporary staffing, transport and telecare.

Successful applicants for the graduate scheme will be based in Reading or Chester, and will be assigned to procurement projects across at least two of the category directorate areas of pharmaceuticals, temporary staff and services and facilities and utilities during their first year.

For further information see the PASA website.

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Ministry of Justice Procurement Division

The Ministry of Justice was formed on 9th May 2007 incorporating the responsibilities of the former Department for Constitutional Affairs, the National Offenders Management Service, which includes HM Prison Service, and the Office for Criminal Justice Reform. The Ministry of Justice is responsible in government for upholding justice, rights and democracy; its aims are to:

  • reduce re-offending and protect the public;
  • promote justice;
  • provide access to justice for all;
  • increase confidence in the justice system;
  • uphold people’s human, information and democratic rights; and,
  • safeguard and modernise our constitution.
  

The Ministry of Justice employs about 75,000 civil servants spread widely around the country.

The Division is based in central London, and it is likely that we would wish to base our recruit through the GPGS there.

To find out more about the Ministry of Justice go to http://www.justice.gov.uk/

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