Procurement management in the public sector
Procurement management in the public sector
18 September–6 October 2023
The course is available in English
Introduction to the course
Current crisis situations, as the economic, climate and energy crisis and the effects of the Pandemic have extensively impacted the way we live and we do business. This has created threats and risks also in the way the public sector procure. Public procurement refers to the process of acquisition by government and public entities of goods, works and services, necessary to fulfil their mandate in the provision of services and facilities to the general public. Public purchasing activities have, for long, been overshadowed with inefficiency, corruption and disregard of fundamental "value for money" considerations, adversely impacting the rate and quality of progress in realising the objectives of national development. Furthermore, new emerging challenges and unforeseen situations requires to strengthen our capacity to rapidly adapt in dynamic contexts with different strategies, demanding a new look at public procurement management. Can public procurement be an effective driver to foster agile solutions when purchasing? How to cope with nowadays challenges as increased prices, frequent supply chains disruption, lack of transparency and flexibility facing unforeseen conditions? How can public procurement processes may evolve and transform in constantly changing scenarios? Can public procurement be effective and efficient and at the same time serve the purpose to achieve policy objectives as social inclusion, environmental protection and economic development? Join the Public Procurement Management course to discover more on the answers to these questions. Throughout the course, you will acquire technical, procedural and business competencies needed for successful implementation of each step of the procurement process. You will explore fundamentals and instruments to effectively managing public procurement processes. Standards of international practices will be unpacked together with insight on different regulatory framework approaches by international organizations and International Financial Institutions. Among others, we will explore the World Bank approach on Project Procurement Strategy for Development and the OECD Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems (MAPS).
Who attends this course?
The participants of this course are: - public procurement practitioners at the central (ministry) and sub-central (local government) levels; - officials of ministries of finance in charge of monitoring/ controlling public procurement transactions; - members of national public procurement offices, tender boards and tender/proposal evaluation committees - procurement trainers from national educational institutes or government services; - procurement and financial auditors as well as "probity advisors" and staff from civil society organisations
Why should I attend this course?
This course aims at upgrading national capacity in the management of the public procurement functions at the legislative, institutional and operational levels. The course is designed to explain the significance of public procurement to national development, its founding principles (with reference to the UNCITRAL Model Law, the European Union procurement legal framework, Multilateral Development Banks procurement regulations and the WTO Plurilateral Agreement on Government Procurement) and typical models for the design of its institutional and managerial frameworks.
Furthermore, the course introduces the OECD Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems (MAPS) to enable the participants to scrutinise the current status of their own national systems and measure the extent to which it conforms with internationally-recognised standards. In addition, the course provides essential practical business skills indispensable for successful implementation of the public procurement process for goods, construction works and services.
What are the programme objectives?
The overall objective of this course is to provide the participants with the practical skills necessary to enhance economy, efficiency and transparency in the management of public procurement operations.
On completion of this course the participants will be able to conduct the procurement process for goods, works and services in accordance with internationally accepted standards through:
- Better understanding of the role of competition, non-discrimination and transparency in achieving “value for money” in public procurement operations;
- Effective planning, risk assessment, execution and monitoring of public procurement operations;
- Appropriate selection of prescribed procurement methods;
- Enhanced knowledge of different regulatory framework approaches developed by international organizations and International Financial Institutions;
- Preparation of well-balanced procurement documents based on standard models of proven validity and the ability to customise these to suit their national context and regulatory frameworks;
- Increased awareness of the importance of “bid challenge” procedures and related remedies for the proper functioning of a public procurement system;
- Upgraded ability to conduct bid evaluation, contract award and contract administration procedures;
- Proficient use of international commercial trade terms - INCOTERMS;
- Development of an action plan for improvement of national procedures for execution of public procurement in conformity with the existing national legislation;
- Enhanced capacity to put in place systems for upholding integrity in public procurement operations.
What does the programme contain?
The course provides an overview on public procurement fundamentals and instruments, with insights on recent World Bank and OECD tools for assessment of national public procurement systems and guidelines for enhancing integrity in the public procurement process.
The training content entails the following different modules:
Module 1
PUBLIC PROCUREMENT: INTRODUCTION, PRINCIPLES AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK
- Public procurement principles (with reference to UNCITRAL Model Law, European Union directives, World Bank Guidelines and WTO Agreement on Government Procurement)
- OECD Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems (MAPS), baseline and performance indicators for benchmarking public procurement system
- Procurement methods for Goods, Works, Non-Consulting services
- System of remedies (bidders’ complaints procedures)
- The World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers
- The World Bank Project Procurement Strategy for Development
Module 2
PROCUREMENT PLANNING
- Procurement Process
- Strategic and operational Planning
- Preparation of technical specifications and market research
Module 3
BIDDING DOCUMENTS FOR GOODS
- Setting pre-qualification criteria
- Preparation of bidding documents
- Bid opening and bid evaluation, post qualification, award and publication
Module 4
NON-CONSULTING SERVICES
- Types and nature of services, Employer’s requirements
- ToR and evaluation criteria
- Key performance indicators
Module 5
CONSULTING SERVICES
- QCBS and other methods of Consultants selection
- Request for proposals for consulting services
- Evaluation of proposals/negotiation/proposal evaluation Report
Module 6
WORKS PROCUREMENT MANAGEMENT
- Types of Works Contracts
- Pre and Post Qualification for Works
- Contract Conditions
- Evaluation Process for Works (One and Two – Envelope)
Module 7
CONTRACT MANAGEMENT FOR GOODS, NON-CONSULTING SERVICES, CONSULTING SERVICES AND WORKS
- Selected case studies dealing with common problems in public procurement
- Dispute Settlement
- Code of Ethics in Public Procurement
Course methodology
Each training session is delivered by senior procurement advisors and consultants from ITC-ILO, using a highly participative training delivery methodology through a combination of interactive presentations by subject-matter specialists followed by plenary discussions. Individual and group assignments are used extensively dealing with typical problems that may raise throughout the public procurement process, enabling measurement of participants’ learning achievement.
Solution and analysis of case studies are emphasised as principal techniques for acquisition of new knowledge and attainment of prescribed exit competencies. Individual guidance is also provided, upon request, to help participants to troubleshoot procurement-related problems on their own projects.
What certification will I get as a successful candidate?
You will obtain a Certificate of Participation once you have completed successfully the programme requirements.
This certificate will demonstrate that you possess the right knowledge, skills and attitudes to plan and execute the entire contract administration process in the flexible and agile manner.
