World Bank procurement specialist - Rabat, Morocco

The World Bank Middle East and North Africa (MNA) Region aims to serve its partner countries through empowered country teams working around a dynamic country strategy, developed through a close participatory process with the concerned countries. Procurement activities are largely decentralized through the establishment of procurement teams in Country Offices (COs), including Egypt, Lebanon, Yemen, West Bank and Gaza, and Morocco. The Bank’s office in Rabat (Morocco) is expanding to include procurement activities inter alia. The Regional Procurement Manager (RPM) and supporting staff, including several Senior Procurement Specialists, are located at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington, DC. The World Bank Middle East and North Africa (MNA) region intends to hire an experienced procurement specialist for an extended–term consultant (ETC) position in Morocco to assist its operations in that and other countries in the region. Note: The total duration of the assignment will be one year (extendable for a second year according to performance) as per the terms and conditions of the World Bank Employment Rules.

The MNA region attaches particular importance to creating a supportive work environment, based on the values of teamwork, transparency, trust, client service, and professional excellence.

MNA staff is expected to be guided by these values as well as to possess the following attributes:

• Collegiality, creativeness, resourcefulness

• Good listening and communications skills

• Intellectual and personal integrity and competence

• Willingness and ability to work in teams

• Commitment to clients.

Under the direction of the Regional Procurement Manager (RPM) based in Washington and the guidance of the Country Procurement Coordinator, the consultant will:

• Work on procurement matters in relation to the Bank’s fiduciary and service functions, seeking guidance from senior procurement staff as required;

• Employ appropriate methodologies for handling simple and complex procurement tasks and/or issues;

• Work across sectors, and review and handle the technical, commercial and legal aspects of procurement (in consultation with Legal and Policy departments as necessary) at all stages of the project cycle;

• Provide operational advice to clients and Bank staff on concepts, policies and procedures for international and local procurement;

• Participate in missions as sole procurement expert and assess procurement implications of project design, evaluate institutional capacity of borrowers and assist clients in the development of suitable procurement plans; conduct prior and post reviews of Bank-financed contracts using Bank-developed information system tools;

• Participate in country procurement assessments, prepare background analysis, and collaborate on developing appropriate public procurement legislation toward reforms as required;

• Negotiate and resolve procurement issues with Borrower’s agencies and handle questions/ complaints from senior officials and contractors on bidding and award issues;

• Design and conduct workshops to train procurement professionals in borrower agencies on the World Bank’s approach to procurement and relevant procedures and processes;

• Prepare a range of procurement-related documents and reports; Report regularly and punctually on the status of work items, as required, using the provided information systems;

• Handle appropriate interaction with country counterparts. It is anticipated that the consultant would be required to travel periodically to other countries in the region as well as potential travel to the Bank headquarters in Washington DC, if and when required.

Supervisory and Reporting Arrangements: The ETC will operate under the direction of the Regional Procurement Manager, located in Washington, with day-to-day supervision and support provided by the Country Procurement Coordinator (CPC) for the Maghreb countries. The consultant will plan his/her work program in close consultation with the CPC and report to the CPC on a regular basis.

The candidate should possess:

• A relevant advanced degree, preferably MA/MBA with a major in a relevant discipline (e.g. Engineering, Law, Procurement, Finance, Business or commerce).

• Minimum five (5) years relevant procurement experience and willingness to build up his/her own capacity in the procurement sector.

• Knowledge and understanding of technical, commercial and legal aspects of procurement at all phases of Bank lending operations.

• Demonstrated analytical clarity, problem-solving skills and negotiating skills with ability to balance project objectives and procurement requirements with client needs.

• Strong communication skills and persuasiveness in presenting, discussing and resolving difficult issues, both orally and in writing as well as good listening skills.

• Ability to deal sensitively in multi-cultural environments and build effective business relationships with clients and colleagues.

• Ability to function effectively in multi-disciplinary teams with a matrix management environment.

• High integrity, competent and commitment to the Clients and the MNA region.

• Understanding of Bank business objectives, policies and practices related to project/sector and critical links to procurement is desirable.

The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

E T Consultant