---
title: "250286 Framework Agreement for the Provision of Specialist and Executive Search Services"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-064968"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-064968"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-064968.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-064968.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY BELFAST"
published: "2026-06-24"
---

# 250286 Framework Agreement for the Provision of Specialist and Executive Search Services

Buyer: QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY BELFAST  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-064968

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## Summary

Queen's University Belfast recently completed a procurement process for a Framework Agreement to provide Specialist and Executive Search Services, as per the notice updated on 24th June 2026. The tender, identified by reference 250286, was categorised under recruitment and personnel services, aiming to source high-quality candidates across academia and professional services. Although the procurement was initially active, all lots were cancelled as of 24th June 2026, due to an internal review by the University. Each lot within the agreement targeted diverse roles, including temporary and permanent specialist and executive positions, both nationally and internationally. While the procurement employed an open procedure to solicit interest, the process reached completion with all related awards being cancelled.

This procurement opportunity was potentially significant for businesses specialising in recruitment services, particularly those with expertise in sourcing high-calibre professionals across varied sectors, including higher education and international markets. The structuring of the framework into multiple lots allowed a targeted approach for businesses with specialisations in certain role types or geographical locations. The opportunity for growth lay with firms adept at providing end-to-end recruitment solutions and those familiar with competitive dynamics in higher education and related industries, as the university planned to appoint multiple suppliers across the framework for diverse role categories. Despite the cancellation, future similar tenders may extend these opportunities to capable recruitment service providers capable of demonstrating a robust understanding of the industry's intricacies.

## Notice

The University wishes to establish a framework for the provision of Specialist and Executive Search Services. The appointed suppliers will deliver diverse, high-quality candidates as required for the role, through a combination of market search, networking and advertising. The successful suppliers must be able to demonstrate a strong working knowledge of the employment markets from which candidates may be drawn. This will include Higher Education institutions but also other sectors where relevant candidates may be found. There should be a strong focus upon the employment markets within the island of Ireland as well as Great Britain, the EU and internationally. The appointed suppliers will be expected to have a proven track record to work closely with the relevant leadership team in attracting a suitable and diverse pool of highly qualified candidates for the scope of the positions covered under the respective lots they are appointed under. Further detail is provided within the Specification. Queen's intends, following the process outlined in this ITT, to establish a closed Framework Agreement for the provision of Specialist and Executive Search Services. The Framework Agreement will be split into Lots as further detailed below and Queen's envisages that, following the process outlined in the ITT and TRP. Lot 1A: Temporary Specialist Roles Lot 1B: Permanent Specialist Roles Lot 2A: Temporary Executive level roles for Professional Services Lot 2B: Permanent Executive level roles for Professional Services Lot 3A: Temporary Executive level roles for Academic Operations Lot 3B: Permanent Executive level roles for Academic Operations Lot 4: International roles for overseas locations Following the process outlined in this ITT and TRP, Queen's intends to appoint 3 Suppliers to each lot of the Framework Agreement and Call-Off Contracts will be awarded in accordance with the Call-Off Procedure provided with this ITT.

### Lot Information

Lot 1A: Temporary Specialist Roles

This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for specialist temporary roles in both academic and professional services areas. The Supplier is required to identify suitable candidates to fill roles normally at Grade 7 to 10 (or academic grades AC2 to Professorial Range 4). Temporary positions are likely to be for a minimum of 12 months' cover, such as interim appointments or maternity leave cover, in some cases appointments may be required for a shorter period.

Renewal: The Framework shall be for a period of 1 year, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 36 Months.

Lot 1B: Permanent Specialist Roles

This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for specialist permanent roles in both academic and professional services areas. The Supplier is required to identify suitable candidates to fill roles normally at Grade 7 to 10 (or academic grades AC2 to Professorial Range 4).

Renewal: The Framework shall be for a period of 1 year, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 36 Months.

Lot 2A: Temporary Executive level roles for Professional Services

This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for executive level temporary roles in Professional Services (Non-Academic Operations). The Supplier is required to identify suitable candidates to fill the roles of Director and above, with a salary of over PS112k per annum. Temporary positions are likely to be for a minimum of 12 months' cover, such as interim appointments or maternity leave cover, in some cases appointments may be required for a shorter period.

Renewal: The Framework shall be for a period of 1 year, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 36 Months.

Lot 2B: Permanent Executive level roles for Professional Services

This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for executive level permanent roles in Professional Services (Non-Academic Operations). The Supplier is required to have the expertise in both national and international markets to identify suitable candidates to fill the roles of Director and above.

Renewal: The Framework shall be for a period of 1 year, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 36 Months.

Lot 3A: Temporary Executive level roles for Academic Operations

This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for executive level temporary roles in Academic Operations. The Supplier is required to have the expertise in both national and international markets to identify suitable candidates to fill the roles of Head of School and above. Temporary positions are likely to be for a minimum of 12 months' cover, such as interim appointments or maternity leave cover, in some cases appointments may be required for a shorter period.

Renewal: The Framework shall be for a period of 1 year, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 36 Months.

Lot 3B: Permanent Executive level roles for Academic Operations

This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for executive level permanent roles in Academic Operations. The Supplier is required to have the expertise in both national and international markets to identify suitable candidates to fill the roles of Head of School and above.

Renewal: The Framework shall be for a period of 1 year, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 36 Months.

Lot 4: International Roles for Overseas Locations

This lot is for the search and selection of highly qualified candidates for both academic and professional services roles based in overseas locations. The Supplier is required to have the expertise in both national and international markets to identify suitable candidates to fill the roles based in overseas locations normally with a salary from PS45,349 per annum (for example, any international Queen's University campus).

Renewal: The Framework shall be for a period of 1 year, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 36 Months.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059544-2026 |
| Notice type | UK12 - Procurement Termination Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 24 Jun 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 9 Mar 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 31 May 2026 - 31 May 2027 |
| Recurrence | 2030-02-04 |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £4,362,500 |
| Lots value | £4,362,500 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Cancelled |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY BELFAST |
| Additional buyers | Missing |
| Locality | BELFAST |
| Post town | Northern Ireland |
| Postcode | BT7 1NN |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| ITL 1 | TLN Northern Ireland |
| ITL 2 | TLN0 Northern Ireland |
| ITL 3 | TLN06 Belfast |
| Local authority | Belfast |
| Electoral ward | Central |
| Westminster constituency | Belfast South and Mid Down |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

### Codes

- 79600000 - Recruitment services
- 79630000 - Personnel services except placement and supply services

## Release History

- 24 Jun 2026 at 14:33 - TenderCancellation - UK12 - Procurement Termination Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059544-2026
- 3 Mar 2026 at 16:07 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019152-2026
- 26 Feb 2026 at 14:54 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017440-2026
- 5 Feb 2026 at 16:27 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010676-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059544-2026
  24th June 2026 - Procurement termination notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019152-2026
  3rd March 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017440-2026
  26th February 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010676-2026
  5th February 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://in-tendhost.co.uk/queensuniversitybelfast/aspx/Home
  Tender documents are accessible from web address provided

## Notice URLs

- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-064968. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-064968.json.