It also supports the Procurement Board in the development of Procurement Policy Notes for the NI public sector and monitors the impact of policy. PPD may also develop good practice guidance when required to support policy.
PPD works in partnership with the Centre for Applied Learning to promote commercial awareness amongst public officials.
The Division has several branches, as described below:
Supplies and Services Procurement Policy Branch
This branch works closely with public procurement officials in the NI Centres of Procurement Expertise (CoPEs) and other jurisdictions, to ensure policy and best practice in the procurement of supplies and services is shared.
Construction Procurement Policy Branches
These branches are responsible for development and dissemination of NI public procurement policy relevant to construction. The branch provides advice to operational teams in CPD and monitors performance of key policy initiatives.
The branches work closely with officials in the NI Centres of Procurement expertise and other jurisdictions to develop and maintain NI construction procurement policy.
In addition the branch has responsibility for providing general and construction-related health and safety advice, support and assistance to staff across CPD.
Information Management Branch
This branch provides ICT support for staff across all the CPD divisions, and supports the running of the eTendersNI portal on behalf of the NI public sector.
Business Planning and Co-ordination Branch
This branch provides a wide range of support services across all the CPD divisions, including records management, expert advice on FOI and data protection, website and intranet publishing, business continuity planning, fire precautions responsibilities, premises team, and co-ordination of Private Office correspondence and departmental returns.