The ODA Procurement team has probably not had much of a battle to raise its status because of how the organisation has been set up – procurement was already vital to the ODA. But it had to ensure it had an excellent team of people to get it off the mark. It also had no legacy to fall back on, and needed to develop its own policies and procedures entirely from scratch. The certification process was relatively straightforward with the ODA precisely because of this – it started with a blank canvas and quickly built up a series of good and efficient systems.
ODA Procurement was ambitious in wanting to achieve CIPS certification in the early days of its existence, and in a relatively short amount of time, too. But CIPS was delighted, seeing it as an opportunity to raise the status of the entire procurement profession.
Our certification sends out the message that the ODA operates with a very professional Procurement team. I am looking forward to seeing the fruits of the department’s hard work over the next four years. Well done to the whole team, and good luck!
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