The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), Ministry of Education, is an arm's length government agency that contributes to the quality and accountability of Ontario's publicly funded education system for K-12 and post-secondary institutions. As an evidence-based research-informed organization, EQAO is focused on empowering educators, parents/guardians, stakeholders, policy-makers and the public at large with the insights and information needed to support student learning and improve student outcomes.
EQAO is modernizing Ontario's approach to large-scale assessment. The agency creates and delivers engaging and relevant assessments for students that lead to further insights into their learning. This transformation is part of an exciting mandate to contribute to the continuous improvement of Ontario's publicly funded education system.
The agency is dedicated to building a strong team to support the development and delivery of its assessment program. With this focus, consider this exciting opportunity and bring your strategic procurement expertise and contract management skills to EQAO where you will have the opportunity to develop and implement procurement initiatives and monitor procurement/service arrangements.
Note: Flexible work arrangements including flexible hours and telework (remote work) may be considered.
OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:
We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.
We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.
Visit the
OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the
OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.
We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's
Human Rights Code. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.
What can I expect to do in this role?
In this position, you will:
• provide advice and leadership in the competitive tendering process
• revise and/or develop agency procurement and contract management operational policies, and administrative procedures, guidelines and systems
• provide timely information, analysis and advice to facilitate implementation of EQAO province-wide assessments, consulting with senior management, managers and project leads to determine acquisition/contract requirements for logistical projects
• advise on operational and business plans for procurement, including development of procurement strategies, business cases and procurement plans
• act as the primary contact and conduit of information between potential vendors and the agency, including facilitating vendor briefings, responding to and/or coordinating Q's& A's, and ensuring that successful and unsuccessful vendors are advised of outcome
• advise clients on the interpretation and application of corporate procurement and contract management policies, procedures and guidelines
• develop and maintain an ongoing liaison with business partners including stakeholders in the Ontario Public Service (OPS) (e.g., Shared Services Bureau risk management staff) to seek/coordinate expertise related to specific procurement initiatives
How do I qualify?
Procurement and Contract Management Knowledge
• You have demonstrated knowledge of procurement practices, supply and contract management principles and practices, procurement policies, directives and standing agreements to provide expert advice and guidance to management in developing procurement strategies, determining the choice of vendors/contractors, developing the appropriate tender specifications, and issuing and awarding contracts.
• You have an understanding of Ministry/EQAO strategic directions, programs and project initiatives to plan and coordinate procurement services to meet agency needs.
• You have knowledge of practices related to contract agreements, such as contract law, competitive bidding case law, and risk management to advise management on risks in business decisions for procurement through the tendering process and the implications of the terms and conditions of contracts.
Communication and Relationship Management Skills
• You can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, provide advice to management, prepare informational memos, represent the agency in consultations/negotiations with vendors, and prepare tenders and reports.
• You can establish and maintain working relationships with vendors to encourage delivery of services as agreed in contract arrangement and promote fair and transparent process for procurement of contracts/services.
Project Management and Organizational Skills
• You have project management and organizational skills to ensure tasks are performed within time and resource requirements, and to coordinate procurements with project life cycles.
Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills
• You can evaluate and assess business cases to ensure compliance with OPS procurement processes, and to ensure a fair, open and transparent competition process.
• You can examine information from different sources to develop and recommend improvements in business practices in the area of procurement and contract management.
• You can review administrative procedures, guidelines and systems related to management, monitoring and control of contracts and expenditures to recommend new initiatives and/or revisions.
• You can negotiate contracts and resolve procurement/contract problems with vendors/suppliers.
Technical Skills
• You can use your financial, economic, and analytical/evaluative techniques to assess market products and advise management in choice of products/services that meet business needs.
• You are proficient in using common office software (including word processing, spreadsheet, database, project management and presentation capabilities) to create analytical reporting, tracking, and presentation materials.
