Local government councils face unprecedented scrutiny in managing public resources, making specialised contract negotiation training for staff not just beneficial, but essential for effective governance.

This full-day interactive workshop equips local government professionals with the practical skills, tools, and frameworks required to negotiate contracts that deliver value for money, mitigate risk, and ensure strong probity and governance. Delivered by negotiation and contract law specialist Paul Vorbach, this program blends case-based learning with scenario-driven exercises tailored to the challenges faced in local government.

 

This 1-day intensive training program is specifically tailored for Local government procurement officers, contract managers, project managers, engineers, and governance professionals involved in procurement and contractor engagement.

 

Learning Outcomes:

 

Participants will:

• Apply proven negotiation frameworks in a local government context
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and structure contracts to deliver value for money
• Understand probity, transparency, and legal obligations in contract negotiation
• Build governance capability through systematic documentation and decision-making
• Practice techniques for risk assessment and effective contractor engagement

What You Will Cover:

Negotiating for Demonstrable Value

• Learn how to identify and capture cost-saving opportunities during negotiations
• Secure appropriate warranties, guarantees, and service commitments
• Structure contracts that ensure better quality, timelines, and value for money

Ensuring Probity and Transparency

• Understand the ethical and legal frameworks that underpin public sector negotiation
• Apply probity principles to avoid conflicts of interest and ensure procedural fairness
• Strengthen community trust through transparent and auditable practices

Strengthening Governance through Process

• Develop and document clear negotiation protocols and decision-making standards
• Understand how good negotiation supports audit readiness and regulatory compliance
• Improve institutional knowledge and consistency in council contracting

Managing Risk and Building Supplier Confidence

• Assess supplier capabilities and negotiate fair, enforceable risk allocation
• Structure contracts that protect council interests and adapt to changing circumstances
• Enhance service reliability and sustainability through well-negotiated terms

Practical Simulation and Tools

• Participate in a hands-on negotiation simulation based on a local government scenario
• Practise communication, persuasion, and collaborative techniques in real time
• Receive practical tools and checklists to apply immediately in your workplace

 

Facilitator - Paul Vorbach 

 

Paul Vorbach MCom, LLM, MBA, FAICD, FGIA Paul Vorbach has been teaching negotiation and contract management in the public and private sector for over 20 years. He has trained procurement and project managers across local, state and Commonwealth government agencies and teaches at the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Paul was previously Honorary Professor, University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Faculty of Law and has completed the Harvard Kennedy School Public Leadership Credential, a global public sector qualification in Public Policy, Evidence and Leadership.