AccountancyISCO 3323
Standalone public buyer
A standalone public buyer is a person who manages a procurement procedure and covers all the purchasing needs of a small contracting authority.
Check yourself in a minute: standalone public buyer
Rate 5 of the 27 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
monitor developments in field of expertise
develop procurement strategy
develop performance orientation in public administration
draft procurement technical specifications
implement risk management in procurement
About standalone public buyer
The buyer takes part in every step: establishing what is actually needed, drafting the technical specifications of the contract, publishing the procedure, answering questions from bidders, evaluating tenders against the criteria that were announced, and documenting why the chosen offer won. Terms are negotiated with suppliers where the procedure allows it.
In a small contracting authority, the buyer collaborates with specialists from other departments of the organisation to obtain the kinds of expertise that may not be available in-house: an engineer to confirm a specification, a lawyer for an unusual clause, a user to say whether what is being bought will do the job.
The buyer applies communication principles and techniques and uses different communication channels. A procurement procedure is conducted in writing and in public, and an answer given to one bidder has to be given to all of them. The buyer acts ethically, since the money spent is public and decisions can be reviewed. Developments in the field are followed.
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (27)
project management principlesproject management principlesDifferent elements and phases of project management.e-procuremente-procurementThe functioning and methods used to manage electronic purchases.procurement lifecycleprocurement lifecycleThe procurement lifecycle includes the various phases from planning and pre-publication to post-award and contract management.moralitymoralityThe principles and beliefs derived from a code of conduct, accepted by a large group of people, that make the distinction between what is right and wrong behaviour.procurement legislationprocurement legislationThe procurement legislation at national and European level, as well as adjacent areas of law and their implications for public procurement.organisational structureorganisational structureFramework of the different departments within the organisation, as well its people, their roles and responsibilities.communication principlescommunication principlesThe set of commonly shared principles in regards with communication such as active listening, establish rapport, adjusting the register, and respecting the intervention of others.monitor developments in field of expertisemonitor developments in field of expertiseKeep up with new research, regulations, and other significant changes, labour market related or otherwise, occurring within the field of specialisation.develop procurement strategydevelop procurement strategyDesign the procurement strategy and define the most appropriate and impactful procedure in order to reach the organisation's objectives and ensure genuine competition. Define element such as features,...develop performance orientation in public administrationdevelop performance orientation in public administrationFocus efforts and prioritise work to deliver value for money, in line with public service guidelines and policies, in order to achieve cost savings and strategic and sustainable goals, proactively ide...draft procurement technical specificationsdraft procurement technical specificationsDraft technical specifications that enable potential bidders to submit realistic offers that directly address the underlying need of the organisation. This includes setting objectives and minimum requ...implement risk management in procurementimplement risk management in procurementIdentify the different types of risks in public procurement processes and apply mitigation measure and internal control and audit processes. Adopt a proactive approach to protect the interests of the ...use different communication channelsuse different communication channelsMake use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.adapt to changing situationsadapt to changing situationsChange approach to situations based on unexpected and sudden changes in people's needs and mood or in trends; shift strategies, improvise and naturally adapt to those circumstances.negotiate terms with suppliersnegotiate terms with suppliersIdentify and work with suppliers to ensure quality of supply and best price has been negotiated.draft tender documentationdraft tender documentationDraft tender documentation which defines the exclusion, selection and award criteria and explains the administrative requirements of the procedure, justifies the estimated value of the contract, and s...perform procurement market analysisperform procurement market analysisCollect information on key market drivers and on the potential bidders in order to provide an in-depth view of which supplies and services can or cannot be provided by the market and under what condit...use communication techniquesuse communication techniquesApply techniques of communication which allow interlocutors to better understand each other and communicate accurately in the transmission of messages.evaluate tenderevaluate tenderEnsure that tenders are assessed in an objective and legally compliant way and against exclusion, selection and award criteria defined in the call for tender. This includes identifying the Most Econom...manage contractsmanage contractsNegotiate the terms, conditions, costs and other specifications of a contract while making sure they comply with legal requirements and are legally enforceable. Oversee the execution of the contract, ...apply certification and payment proceduresapply certification and payment proceduresApply the verification principles and the financial control framework which ensure that the relevant supplies, services or works are delivered in compliance with the terms and conditions of the contra...adhere to organisational guidelinesadhere to organisational guidelinesAdhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.address problems criticallyaddress problems criticallyIdentify the strengths and weaknesses of various abstract, rational concepts, such as issues, opinions, and approaches related to a specific problematic situation in order to formulate solutions and a...negotiate supplier arrangementsnegotiate supplier arrangementsReach an agreement with the supplier upon technical, quantity, quality, price, conditions, storage, packaging, send-back and other requirements related to the purchasing and delivering process.adhere to organisational code of ethicsadhere to organisational code of ethicsAdhere to organisational European and regional specific standards and code of ethics, understanding the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and apply this awareness.keep up-to-date with regulationskeep up-to-date with regulationsMaintain up-to-date knowledge of current regulations and apply this knowledge in specific sectors.negotiate buying conditionsnegotiate buying conditionsNegotiate terms such as price, quantity, quality, and delivery terms with vendors and suppliers in order to ensure the most beneficial buying conditions.
Optional (16) — show
international businessinternational businessThe processes related to production or distribution of goods and services across borders.teamwork principlesteamwork principlesThe cooperation between people characterised by a unified commitment to achieving a given goal, participating equally, maintaining open communication, facilitating effective usage of ideas etc.leadership principlesleadership principlesSet of traits and values which guide the actions of a leader with her/his employees and the company and provide direction throughout her/his career. These principles are also an important tool for sel...category specific expertisecategory specific expertiseThe features and specificities relevant to one or more categories of supplies, services or works, including suppliers, technical parameters and market conditions.team buildingteam buildingPrinciple usually combined with a type of event that stimulates team effort, usually to complete certain assignments or to perform a recreational activity. This can apply to various kinds of teams, of...supplier managementsupplier managementThe methods and techniques to ensure that external services and configuration items, which are necessary for the service delivery, are available as requested and as agreed at the service level.cooperate with colleaguescooperate with colleaguesCooperate with colleagues in order to ensure that operations run effectively.manage relationships with stakeholdersmanage relationships with stakeholdersCreate and maintain solid internal and external relations with stakeholders at operational level based on mutual trust and credibility in order to achieve organisational goals. Ensure organisational s...maintain relationship with suppliersmaintain relationship with suppliersBuild a lasting and meaningful relationship with suppliers and service providers in order to establish a positive, profitable and enduring collaboration, co-operation and contract negotiation.implement sustainable procurementimplement sustainable procurementIncorporate strategic public policy goals into procurement procedures, such as green public procurement (GPP) and socially responsible public procurement (SRPP). Contribute to reducing the environment...assess procurement needsassess procurement needsDetermine the underlying needs of the organisation and of the end-users regarding the subject matter of the procurement, including the possible impacts in terms of value for money or environmental imp...implement procurement of innovationimplement procurement of innovationDevelop innovation procurement strategies to drive innovation from the demand side, considering forward-looking and alternative solutions that involve either buying the process of innovation or buying...create a work atmosphere of continuous improvementcreate a work atmosphere of continuous improvementWork with management practices such as continuous improvement, preventive maintenance. Pay attention to problem solving and teamwork principles. Empower teams to identify opportunities and then drive ...manage procurement planningmanage procurement planningDevelop and implement procurement planning that translate the policy choices of the organisation into where and how public procurement should be used to cost-effectively purchase the required supplies...manage a teammanage a teamEnsure clear and effective channels of communication across all departments within the organisation and support functions, both internally and externally ensuring that the team is aware of the standar...manage contract disputesmanage contract disputesMonitor issues that arise between the parties involved in a contract and provide solutions in order to avoid lawsuits.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a standalone public buyer do?
Standalone public buyers manage the procurement process and cover all of the procurement needs for a small contracting authority. They are involved in each stage of the procurement process and collaborate with professionals from other departments of the organisation to find the kinds of specialised knowledge that may not be available.
What skills does a standalone public buyer need?
A standalone public buyer needs 27 essential skills, including project management principles, e-procurement, procurement lifecycle, morality, procurement legislation.
Will AI replace standalone public buyer jobs?
The AI disruption score for standalone public buyer is 26/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: e-procurement, apply certification and payment procedures, procurement legislation. Most resilient: morality, cooperate with colleagues, teamwork principles.
AI Replacement Risk
26/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
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