Principal Procurement Specialist - Procurement and Fiduciary Services Department

• Grade: PL-4
• Position N°: NA
• Reference: ADB12/134
• Publication date: 11/05/2012
• Closing date: 10/06/2012

Objectives

The Procurement and Fiduciary Services Department (ORPF) reports to the Vice President, Country Operations (ORVP). The Department supports the Sector Departments in project cycle activities and in monitoring compliance in procurement activities on the one hand, and fiduciary services related to the financial management of projects and programs on the other. In addition, it is also responsible for engaging in framing procurement and financial management policies, guidelines, rules and statistics relating to procurement, and maintains the Bank database for consultants. The Procurement Division (ORPF.1) contributes to analytical and diagnostic work in the continent, reviews procurement and financial management capacities in the countries and suggests measures for capacity improvement. ORPF.1 is also mandated to provide training to the Borrowers and to Bank staff on procurement and financial management issues, to contribute to the overall procurement policy and strategy of the Bank and to ensure the compliance of Bank financed projects to the Bank’s rules and procedures. It is also expected to conduct analytical and diagnostic work in RMCs (Regional Member Countries), to review procurement capacities in the countries and to suggest measures for capacity improvement. It is also required to review the response to the Bank staff on complaints made by dissatisfied Borrowers as well as their clients and to give objective and unbiased advice to the Procurement Review Committee. It has an increasing country presence through a growing network of 25 field offices.

Duties and responsibilities

The Principal Procurement Specialist (PPS) will be located in the Bank Temporary Relocation Agency (Tunis) or the Bank Headquarter and work as a staff of the Procurement and Fiduciary Services Department receiving all guidance and support on procurement matters/issues from the Division Manager ORPF.1. The PPS will assist in the procurement aspects of the overall projects portfolio and will perform as a member of the various Task Teams of the Bank financed projects. This will include, but is not limited to: (i) Providing technical guidance in the procurement activities of assigned projects and programs within the framework of the Bank’s policies and guidelines; (ii) assessing the adequacy of project procurement arrangements; (iii) capacity building to improve borrowers' procurement systems; and (iv) participating in launching and supervision of Bank funded-projects with a special focus on compliance with the Bank procurement rules, regulations, policies, procedures, audit recommendations and other fiduciary requirements. Other specific duties include:

• Handles all of the Procurement Specialist responsibilities as a backup to the regional procurement team for the country team, loans negotiations and all project procurement activities, including high value and complex contracts subject to Manager’s approval authority level.
• Carries out supervision work/post procurement reviews to ensure that projects procurement aspects are functioning appropriately, including the periodic review of interim project reports for procurement performance.
• Takes a proactive role to disseminate specific procurement country experiences with sector staff and task teams working in the Country Team.
• Review and/or draft procurement chapters/sections for a variety of project lending documents taking into account the economy and efficiency of procurement and acceleration of appropriate disbursement
• Provides approval of all tender related documents requiring the Bank’s “No Objection”, “Approval” or “Action” under the Rules and Procedures of the Bank; monitor practical aspects by assisting the Projects’ Task Managers to supervise the procurement activities carried out by Borrowers throughout the project cycle.
• Lead and contributes to the internal procurement process review of Country Strategy Papers, Country portfolio performance, Economic Sectors Works and Concept notes.
• Undertake fiduciaries studies to strengthen the country’s Institutional capacities.
• Identify programs and projects with high procurement risks and define mitigation measures.
• Provides guidance to colleagues in the Bank on acquiring the services of consultants financed from the Bank’s capital or administrative budget.
• Lead preparation and appraisal missions for projects with complex procurement components with a view to assist the Borrower (s) and Sector/Regional department’s staff to define the most appropriate modalities for procurement.
• Examine the procurement codes of the country, national laws and regulations and determine the implications compared to the Bank’s Rules for Procurement for Goods, Works and services and for the use of the Consultants.
• Participates in departmental or institutional task forces on developing and implementing changes to procurement policies and practices, fiduciary safeguards and the efficiency and effectiveness of business processes.
• Assesses the adequacy of the Borrower’s project management systems and their ability to manage and monitor Bank-financed projects and assess the fiduciary risk. This includes policies and procedures, trainings.
• Undertake other procurement related activities that may be required by ORPF.

Selection Criteria

Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• At least a Master’s degree (or its university equivalent) in a relevant discipline, e.g. Engineering, Architecture, Procurement, Law, and Management, Commerce or a related field.
• A minimum of six (6) years of relevant professional experience in the formulation and implementation of procurement-specific policies, programs and projects in African or other developing countries.
• Proven familiarity with and experience in the practice of procurement of goods and works and the acquisition of consultancy services under donor funding conditions.
• Ability to understand and conceptualize the complex problems of procurement of goods, works and services.
• Strong leadership and coaching skills.
• Competence in the use of Bank standard software (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint); knowledge of SAP desirable.
• Fluent in French or English, with a working knowledge of the other language. For this position, capacity to communicate effectively (written and oral) in French is required.

Document download

Principal Procurement Specialist (1 Position) - Procurement and Fiduciary Services Department (214 KB)

Apply online

Apply for this position

To apply for this position, you need to be national of one of AfDB member countries.

Only applicants who fully meet the Bank's requirements and are being considered for interview will be contacted. Applicants will only be considered if they submit an online application, and attach a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV). The AfDB President reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level. The African Development Bank is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply: www.afdb.org/jobs