Turin School of Development (International Training Centre of the ILO)

Master in Public Procurement Management for Sustainable Development

Who attends this Master?

Our Master's programme attracts a diverse range of professionals committed to advancing their expertise in public procurement. Participants typically include: - Procurement practitioners and managers: Individuals responsible for overseeing and managing procurement processes within government agencies or private organizations, seeking to enhance their strategic and operational skills. - Government officials and public sector employees: Professionals from ministries, local governments, and public expenditure supervisory bodies aiming to deepen their knowledge of procurement regulations and practices. - Financial auditors and procurement consultants: Specialists involved in auditing or consulting on procurement practices, looking to refine their understanding and techniques in public procurement. - Project managers and development professionals: Individuals working on investment and technical cooperation projects, who need advanced skills in procurement management and compliance. - Recent graduates: New professionals aiming to enter the field of public procurement or public expenditure management, seeking a solid foundation in procurement theory and practice. - International organization staff: Employees from organizations like the UN, the EU, and NGOs who need to understand global procurement standards and practices for their work.

The overall objective of this Master’s program is to help bridge the current deficit in qualified human resources and to enable procurement professionals to cope with the challenges of regulating, executing, and monitoring public procurement in an economic and socially responsive manner while mitigating adverse environmental impact.

At the end of the program, participants will have acquired a wide spectrum of knowledge and skills covering:

• internationally accepted principles of governing sound public procurement systems;
• legislative and regulatory frameworks, as well as corresponding institutional models for the successful discharge of the functions of a modern procurement system;
• economic theory, assessment tools, and financial analysis techniques, as well as accounting standards relevant to public procurement operations;
• strategies and instruments for embedding social, environmental, and human rights at the relevant steps of the procurement process/supply chain;
• promotion of corporate social responsibility through public procurement;
• execution of the procurement process for goods works, and services (including innovative contracting modalities like public-private partnerships and e-procurement);
• risk management in procurement operations;
• procurement audit;
• control and reporting techniques for procurement operations;
• design of systems for the prevention and detection of fraud and corruption in public procurement;
• general interpersonal skills (negotiation techniques, team building, and report writing).

Part I – Distance learning

The Distance learning period is designed to impart to the participants the necessary grounding in the key learning disciplines of the Master namely:

• Introduction to the legal framework for public procurement
• Introduction to Procurement Management
• Introduction to the economics of public procurement

Part II – Face-to-face

The second part consists of face-to-face learning: lessons will be held in Turin at the ITCILO campus from 8 April to 21 June 2024. Attendance of classes is compulsory. This is the core period of instruction, incorporating application work and group/individual solutions to assignments.

During this part, participants will study 23 compulsory “core themes” covering the expanded contents of the Three Learning disciplines of the Master as follows:

• International Legal instruments governing PP (WTO, EU, UNCITRAL, WB, COMESA)
• Institutional models for PP and integration with Public Expenditure Management
• Economics of Procurement Management, game theory, and reverse auctions
• Companies Balance Sheet analysis and financial reporting standards
• The design of centralized public procurement strategies*
• Procurement Process: Project cycle and risk management
• Procurement methods
• Intellectual Property issues related to Public Procurement
• Public Procurement in the Health Sector
• Procurement Management of Supply Contracts
• Procurement of Physical Services
• Works Procurement Management
• Procurement of Consultancy services
• Procurement in the Utilities sector and Defense Procurement
• Procurement remedies (bidders’ complaints procedures)
• Contract Law and Dispute Settlement
• Supply Chain Management: Logistics, Insurance Policies, and Incoterms
• Legal framework and Economics of Public-Private Partnerships
• Sustainable procurement: social, economic and environmental considerations in public procurement
• Advanced Contract Management
• Fraud and Corruption in Public Procurement
• Procurement Audit
• E-procurement (Legal issues and implementation models)

Part III – Final dissertation

The third part is the preparation and submission of a final dissertation. Participants are required to carry out individual research and submit the final dissertation on a selected procurement topic, under the guidance of their supervisor. The outline of the final dissertation is to be presented in Turin by June 2025 and is to be completed before 13 October 2025.

What will I be able to do?

This intensive, year-long Master combines online and residential work for students at different stages of their careers.

• Control and report techniques for procurement operations
• Manage risk in procurement operations
• Design systems for the prevention and detection of fraud and corruption in public procurement

Why Study at the TSD?

The Turin School of Development (TSD) is a leading international institution in the field of development cooperation, it offers a unique learning environment that combines academic rigor with practical experience.

Why choose the TSD?

There are many reasons to choose the TSD for your graduate studies. Here are just a few:

• Academic excellence: The TSD is a leading international institution with a reputation for academic excellence.
• Practical experience: The TSD offers a unique learning environment that combines academic rigor with practical experience.
• Expert faculty: Our faculty are renowned experts in their fields, with extensive experience in research, teaching, and policy-making.
• Global network: The TSD has a strong alumni network that spans the globe.
• The Campus: The TSD campus is located in a beautiful and safe area of Turin. The campus is home to a variety of amenities, including tennis courts, volleyball courts, a soccer field, and a gym. The campus is also close to a variety of restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions.

The TSD is a great place to study if you are looking for a challenging and rewarding academic experience. The TSD offers a unique learning environment that combines academic rigor with practical experience. The TSD also has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion and welcomes students from all backgrounds.