Synergy ERP Cluster Programme Consultancy

Defra has contracted for advisory services to support, challenge and provide insight to ensure:

1. Best practice, lessons learnt and ways of working from Defra's Group Corporate Services model can be extrapolated into the Synergy partnership approach.

2. In scope departments feel collectively connected and have an equal voice in the way the shared services organisation is run and managed.

3. Relevant risks and issues to a partnership agreement are effectively managed as the approach develops.

4. The approach is welcomed by the Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA) who are likely to be responsible for auditing Synergy service provision in the future.

The consultant will be used to provide an Advisory Service to help challenge, test, assure and act as a critical friend as the partnership agreement develops. If capacity allows assistance in the review and drafting of the agreement, can be provided within the time agreed. The service will not provide any legal, technical, performance or data sharing advice.