An Cosantóir

36 | John McPhillip s CQMS D Eng, DFHQ, M ckee Bks F or the past ten years I've worked in the Barrack Service Procurement Section within the Director of Engineers office. We look after every location that the Defence Forces operates out of, from Finner Camp in Donegal to the Naval Base in Cork. We also look after the barrack service needs of the different missions deployed overseas. Every year we are allocated a budget for barrack services and utilities. This budget has to cover all the utilities, such as electricity, gas, oil, waste disposal, and water. We also place the contracts for the individual barrack service officers and NCOs to purchase off. This would include a broad range of things from lockers and beds to utility items such as light fittings and power sockets. I have just graduated from the Institute of Public Administration where I was awarded a diploma in Public Procurement. Students on this course had to have at least five years' experience plus several certificates in this field. The course essentially teaches you how to manage your budget. For us this includes the Defence Forces estimates and the corporate procurement plan, which is not easy as we have so many locations to deal with. At the start of the year you put in place your annual plans, which include your procurement and financial plans, and you also have to plan how to get best value for money out of the resources and budget available to you. It was a very interesting and demanding course. The job does take me out of the office, as we are required to carry out inspections with units, barrack accountants, and barrack service officers and NCOs. We also go out and visit sites where work is being carried out, such as a refurbishment of an accommodation block. We check to make sure the money that has been allocated is being spent correctly. Or, if needed, we can advise on the best, value-formoney equipment we feel would suit their purpose. There are plenty of opportunities for overseas service. The last time I deployed overseas was to EUFOR BiH in Sarajevo in 2009/2010 where I was a customs compliance officer. Basically, this involved monitoring the imports and exports coming in and out of camp, especially duty-free items. We also had to carry out inspections to make sure the PXs were selling to whom they are supposed to. I enjoy my job, as we are constantly busy, juggling money and reviewing our contracts and tenders. We are always on the go, planning not just for today and tomorrow but for 12 months' time. "We are always on the go, planning not just for today and tomorrow but for 12 months' time". An Cosantóir June 2013 www.dfmagazine.ie

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