Posted on by Clem Maloney

AI Specialist Contractor for ePMO Systems Audit

Description

AI Specialist Contractor for ePMO Systems Audit

Sector: Government – Enterprise Project Management Office
Service: IT Resourcing & AI Systems Assessment
Objective: Engage an AI-experienced IT professional on a 12-month fixed-term contract to lead an AI audit of existing systems, including vendor liaison and contract negotiation.

Context

A government department’s Enterprise Project Management Office (ePMO) sought to understand the current and potential role of AI across its portfolio of technology systems. With AI capability emerging in many vendor products — sometimes embedded without explicit disclosure — leadership required a structured audit to identify where AI was already in use, assess compliance risks, and evaluate opportunities for efficiency gains.

The department needed a highly experienced IT professional with both AI technical expertise and the commercial acumen to manage vendor engagement and negotiate contract variations where required. The role would be embedded within the ePMO for a fixed 12-month term to ensure sustained momentum and alignment with broader digital strategy initiatives.

Approach

123.EXPERT was engaged to source and contract a senior IT professional with a proven background in AI systems evaluation, procurement processes, and vendor management in regulated environments. Working as part of the ePMO leadership team, the contractor:

  • Designed and executed a comprehensive AI audit framework, covering system functionality, data usage, and governance implications.

  • Liaised with internal stakeholders to map system ownership, usage patterns, and business dependencies.

  • Conducted structured interviews with vendors to clarify AI capabilities, data handling, and compliance with departmental standards.

  • Negotiated amendments to vendor contracts to improve transparency, strengthen governance, and align with policy.

  • Produced an AI audit report with prioritised recommendations, highlighting opportunities for risk reduction and operational improvement.

Impact

The audit identified multiple systems with undeclared AI components, enabling the department to address governance gaps before they could create compliance issues. Several vendor contracts were amended to include explicit AI disclosure, clearer data management clauses, and updated service commitments.

By engaging the specialist through 123.EXPERT, the ePMO secured a rare combination of technical, analytical, and commercial skills within a single resource. This ensured the audit was both technically rigorous and commercially actionable, leaving the department with a clearer understanding of its AI landscape and a stronger foundation for future technology planning.