Main purpose of position
The Procurement Specialist ensures that the goods and services requested and required for organisational’ operations and activities are purchased from specified suppliers and are delivered according to agreed terms and conditions.
The Procurement Specialist is responsible for ensuring all procurement, including operations and technical/research activities, of goods and services are carried out compliantly and according to project procurement plans. S/he will ensure that all procurements are compliant with ICARDA’s Donors regulations, and consistent with ICARDA procurement policies and procedures. S/he will be responsible for the day to day management of the procurement function, ensuring cost effectiveness and timeliness, using approved vendors for local and international purchases.
About ICARDA
The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is an international autonomous, non-profit, research organization supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).
ICARDA’s mission is to reduce poverty, enhance food, water and nutritional security, as well as environmental health in the face of global challenges including climate change. We do this through innovative science, strategic partnerships, linking research to development and capacity development that take into account gender equality and the role of youth in transforming the dry areas. ICARDA works in partnership with governments, universities, civil society, national agricultural research organization, other CGIAR research Centers, and the private sector. With its temporary Headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, ICARDA operates in regional and country offices across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. For more information: www.icarda.org
Main responsibilities
- Ensuring full compliance of procurement and logistics activities with ICARDA procedures, policies and strategies; implementation of the effective internal control, analysis of parameters in support of proper design and functioning of a client-oriented procurement management system.
- Contribute to the overall improvement of the procurement processes, elaboration of proposals, implementation of internal procurement standard operations procedures and processes, and monitoring system and mechanisms
- Analyze and propose contract and sourcing strategies, quality management and supplier selection
- Supports management of procurement processes for ICARDA projects, focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Preparation of procurement plans for the office and projects in coordination with Project Leaders and Program Administrators, and monitoring of their implementation.
- Organization and implementation of the procurement process of each project, including preparation of terms of reference, publication of procurement calls and bidding invitations, receipt of offers and quotations and their corresponding evaluation, in full compliance with ICARDA rules and regulations, and in coordination with the Project Leaders
- Preparation of lists of suitable firms, institutions and individual consultants that would be invited to participate in the procurement processes
- Fully evaluate the guarantees provided by bidders and management of the guarantee requirements after awards are made;
- Follow up on projects in progress until completion i.e. construction work, building authorizations, maintenance;
- Follow up on custom clearances and administrative processes for imports;
- Participation in the reception of offers, draft of procurement meetings summaries;
- Issuance of recommendations to the management for contracts awards;
- Participation in negotiations with successful bidders;
- Issuance of contracts for successful bidders, after obtaining the necessary clearances;
- Monitor proper upload of information in UBW system to obtain clearance of responsible ICARDA officers;
- Coordination for the effective delivery of goods and services, necessary inspections and the final liquidation;
- Monitoring of project costs and recommendation of actions to be undertaken for the successful execution of the project,
- Preparation of letters, memoranda and reports, maintaining adequate records on procurement issues;
- Proper control of all supporting procurement documents needed for audit and review processes and ensuring storing them in ICARDA Repository (OSCAR) as per procedures
- Any other relevant activities requested by the Office Manager and/or the Head of Procurement Department.
Education, qualifications and experience
- Bachelor degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Engineering, Architecture, Procurement, Law, Management, Commerce, Agriculture or Finance).
- A minimum of five (5) years of project procurement and logistics experience, with a minimum of two (2) years dealing with international vendors.
- Procurement experience in an international/multinational organization is an advantage
- Capacity to work effectively in a team.
- Competence in the use of software applications (i.e. Microsoft Office, Enterprise Business Systems).
- Excellent skills in planning and organizing, information and task monitoring, problem analysis and solving, and paying attention to details and accuracy.
- Strong customer-service orientation.
- Excellent command of English verbal and written.
- Ability to work effectively with a high degree of independence and integrity;
- Excellent interpersonal skills to build effective working relationships in in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.
- Commitment to ICARDA’s mission.
Terms of appointment, salary and benefits
This is a nationally recruited position. The successful candidate will be offered an initial contract of 3 years, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds. The first year will be probationary period.
How to apply
Please apply online at www.icarda.org/iea/ by May 15, 2018
We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from qualified women.
Applications will be acknowledged, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
