Procurement Officer, AfCFTA at the African Union (AU)

The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999).  We are an Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Procurement Officer, AfCFTA

Location: Accra, Ghana
Reports to: Procurement Officer
Directorate / Department: Administration and Human Resources management
Division: Administration and Human Resources management
Number of Direct Reports: 1
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Job Grade: P1
Contract Type: Regular

Purpose of Job

• Provides operational support to the Division, including administrative oversight, while ensuring that its predefined strategies and policies are executed effectively and following up on relevant activities.

Main Functions

• Assist on the following up on the activities of the division, including monitoring and evaluating progress made in line with a predefined strategic plan;
• Provide support in implementation of programs, policies and procedures within the division;
• Assist in conducting analysis and generate accurate reports in a timely manner for the respective Unit/Division and AU’s internal use;
• Provide support to senior officers in setting the overall research direction of a relevant policy area;
• Participate in the organisation of relevant meetings, congresses and conferences with stakeholders;
• Assist in engagement with relevant mid-level stakeholders and develop relationships as may be delegated;
• Support the promotion of the activities of the Division including preparing leaflets, guidelines and fact sheets;
• Provide technical support to internal and external stakeholders.

Specific Responsibilities

• Provide support in the management of end – to – end procurement activities from planning to contract award.
• Assist in developing, executing, and administering complex procurements for diverse works, goods and services in accordance with AU Regulations and internally accepted standards and procedures;
• Provide advice and guidance as procurement officer responsible for all aspects of procurement functions including providing procurement expert advice, advising management and clients on wide ranging and complex technical and other issues relating to institutional procurement.
• In consultation with Business Units, reviews the type of works, goods and services required and recommends appropriate procurement strategy and method and sources to be solicited.
• Prepare solicitation documents for goods, works and services to be procured using appropriate methodologies.
• Carry out the procurement process, including pre-bidding conference, evaluation of bids, post-qualification and recommendation for award in line with African Union’s Procurement procedures.
• Prepare and disseminate the annual procurement plan of the Commission.
• Monitor and track the Implementation of the Annual Procurement Plan in close collaboration with Business Units.
• Provide input on periodic reports and statistics on procurement activities such as purchase orders.
• Provide technical support in preparation and conducting procurement training on procurement techniques, processes and systems for AfCFTA Secretariat staff.
• Receive and compile submissions from departments for compliance with procedures prior to submission for review by the supervisor and consideration and approval by the Internal Procurement Committee or Tender Board
• Providing guidance to Business Units on procurement, as well as support Business Units in creating departmental procurement plans and estimates.
• Provide advice and guidance to Business Units concerning development of specifications for acquisition of goods or related services including preparation of price estimates on procurement requests for non-standard items.
• Prepare and present procurement cases to the relevant authorities for approval.
• Identify and manage procurement risk in the procurement cycle.
• Track orders to ensure prompt delivery of services;
• Perform any other relevant duty/ responsibility assigned by the Supervisor.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Procurement and Supply, Business Administration, Logistics or related field of study with 2 years of professional experience.
• A professional certificate and affiliation to a relevant procurement professional body will be an added advantage.

Required Skills:

• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Sound planning and organizational skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Ability to successfully manage ambiguity
• Ability to work across business units / geographical locations and cultural sensitivity
• Proficiency in one of the AU Official working languages (French, English, Portuguese, Arabic) and fluency in another AU language(s) is an added advantage.

Leadership Competencies:

• Strategic Insight
• Developing Others
• Change Management
• Managing Risk.

Core Competencies:

• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Accountable and Complies with Rules
• Learning Orientation.
• Communicating with Influence.

Functional Competencies:

• Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Job Knowledge and information sharing
• Drive for Results
• Continuous Improvement Focus.

Languages:

• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish) and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

Tenure Of Appointment

• The appointment will be made on a regular term contract for a period of three (3) years, of which the first twelve months shall be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract will be for a period of two years renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and deliverables.

Remuneration
Indicative basic salary of US$ 25,523.00 (P1 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment ( 57% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$ 27,290.88.00 (per annum), and education allowance (100% of tuition and other education-related expenses for every eligible dependent up to a maximum of US$ 10,000.00 per child per annum), for internationally recruited staff and a maximum of $3,300 per child per annum for locally recruited staff.

Application Closing Date
6th June, 2022.