EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY UNDER THE EAC STATISTICS DEVELOPMENT AND HARMONIZATION REGIONAL PROJECT
The East African Community (EAC) is the regional inter-governmental organisation of the 6 Partner States, namely the Republics of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, the United Republic of Tanzania, and the Republic of Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. The EAC mission is to widen and deepen economic, political, social and cultural integration to improve the quality of life of the people of East Africa through increased competitiveness, value added production, trade and investments. To achieve these objectives, the key building blocks are the Customs Union, Common Market, Monetary Union and ultimately the Political Federation. The EAC started a fully-fledged Customs Union in January, 2010 and implementation of the Common Market in July, 2010 while the East African Monetary Union Protocol (EAMU) was signed in November 2013 and is under implementation.
The EAMU Protocol, among others, requires the Partner States to develop and adopt common methods, concepts, definitions and classifications for compiling, analysing and disseminating the statistics necessary for the proper functioning of the Monetary Union, while observing internationally accepted best practices. To support implementation of this requirement, the EAC Secretariat has secured a grant from the World Bank to implement a 5-year Project, the EAC Statistics Development and Harmonization Regional Project (EAC/Stat-DHRP). The objective of this project is to develop the statistical capacity of the EAC Statistics Department and the National Statistical Offices (NSOs) to produce harmonized and quality statistics necessary for planning, implementing, and monitoring the EAC integration agenda.
The Secretariat therefore invites applications from highly motivated and result-driven professionals who are citizens of EAC Partner States to apply for the project position tenable at the EAC Secretariat detailed below.
PROCUREMENT SPECIALIST
(REF: EAC/HR/2018-2019/04)
Job Grade equivalent: P2
Job reports to: Project Manager
Job Purpose: Develop and implement a cost effective procurement management system for the EAC StatDHRP, including procurement plans in accordance with the World Bank Procurement Regulations (WB Procurement Regulations), while observing EAC internal approval processes.
Duties and responsibilities
The duties and functions of the Procurement Specialist will include, but not limited:
- Set up systems for procurement planning, implementation, monitoring and documentation for the EAC StatDHRP as per required standards;
- Carry out tendering processes for procurement of goods and services in accordance with the WB Procurement Regulations and EAC internal approval procedures;
- Initiate, preparation and update procurement plans in consultation with the EAC StatDHRP Core Project Team;
- Advise the project team at all stages of procurement process to ensure timely implementation of project activities;
- Ensure procurement activities are carried out in accordance with the provision of the grant agreement and the Project Appraisal Report;
- Guide and coordinate the collection of inputs for preparing terms of reference (TORs), technical specifications, request for proposals (RFP) and bidding documents;
- Advise the evaluation committee members in the evaluation of the bidding documents and proposal in accordance with the WB Procurement Regulations;
- Prepare evaluation reports and recommendations for contract awards, technical evaluation reports and combined evaluation reports, including obtaining the necessary EAC internal clearances and WB’s no-objection;
- Coordinate and administration of preparation and issuance of General Procurement Notice (GPN), requests for Expressions of Interest, advertisements of bid opportunities, and issuing bid documents to prospective bidders;
- Provide guidance on public bid opening sessions as well as providing clarifications where necessary;
- Ensure publication of award of contract;
- Handle any complaints relating to the procurement process;
- Draft minutes of contract and preparing contracts for signature;
- Advise on contract administration;
- Development, compilation and maintaining information on material and service costs, suppliers and products;
- Raise Local Purchase Orders;
- Maintain and ensure safe custody of procurement records;
- Attend to procurement queries, disputes and complaints and report on contract awards and progress in accordance with the EAC StatDHRP;
- Provide technical support in preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual procurement progress reports as shall be required and ensure issues identified during the reporting period and actions taken to resolve them are clearly narrated;
- Review the capacity of the EAC staff and other stakeholders involved in the Project, in handling their respective procurement and contract management functions efficiently and conduct a skills gap analysis of the relevant procurement knowledge and propose appropriate training and capacity building intervention measures to address such gaps;
- Provide necessary orientation and training to staff and other stakeholders, on procedures for procurement of works, goods and services and contract management;
- In liaison with the Project Manager, monitor the Procurement Plan in the World Bank’s Systematic Tracking of Exchanges in Procurement (STEP), including preparation, revision and submission of Procurement Plans and procurement documents for activities.
- Bring to the attention of the Project Manager, critical dates of procurement processes to avoid delays during implementation; and
- Perform any other procurement related functions as shall be assigned by the Project Manager.
- Must have a Masters degree, from a recognized University in either Procurement and Supplies, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics or any other related field;
- Must have professional qualifications in procurement such as CIPS certification or equivalent;
- Must have relevant working experience of not less than 8 years, 3 of which must be a senior level;
- Knowledge of the World Bank’s procurement guidelines and procedures will be an added advantage;
- Knowledge of the World Bank’s Systematic Tracking of Exchanges in Procurement (STEP) will be an added advantage.
Competencies and skills
- Proficient in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.);
- Knowledge of web based managements systems;
- Good interpersonal and communication skills;
- Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment; and
- Ability to work with minimum supervision.
Eligibility
Only applicants from EAC Partner States are eligible to apply for the above positions.
Terms and Conditions of Service
These are project positions supported by Donor Funds, and are non-established in the Secretariat for which contract terms are limited to the period of the project. The successful candidates will be recruited for an initial period of two (2) years and the contract may be renewed for another two (2) years, subject to project budgeting and a satisfactory performance evaluation.
Fringe Benefits
All posts offer attractive fringe benefits including housing allowance, transport allowance, education allowance, a medical scheme, and insurance cover.
Education Qualifications
All candidates applying must have qualifications that are recognized by the relevant national accreditation body in their respective Partner State. This condition is applicable for locally and internationally attained qualifications.
All professions that require registration with the specific professional bodies will be expected to do so in compliance with the requirements of their respective Partner States.
Relevant Working Experience
Internship, training and apprenticeship will not be considered as relevant work experience.
Equal Opportunity
The EAC is an equal opportunity employer; therefore, female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply. EAC will only respond to those candidates who strictly meet the set requirements.
How to Apply
Interested candidates who meet the qualification and experience requirements for the above mentioned positions are advised to send their applications, detailed curriculum vitae, photocopies of academic certificates, names and contact details of three referees, and copy of National Identity Card, or Birth Certificate or Passport showing date of birth. Please quote the respective reference number on both the application letter and envelope. For electronic submission, please quote the respective reference number on the subject of the email and send to the address given below.
Applications should be submitted to the address below not later than Monday, 05th August 2019.
Please note:
You may submit your application either electronically or in hard copy but not both.
Applications which do not: indicate nationality and age; the reference number; or have an application letter attached; have certified copies of their academic degrees and other professional Certificates; or fail to provide three referees will be disqualified.
Only qualified candidates will be contacted
Please note that EAC does not require candidates to pay money for the recruitment process. All invitations for interviews will be done in writing
The Secretary General
East African Community
P.O.Box 1096
Arusha – Tanzania
Tel: +255 27 2162100
Fax: +255 27 2162190
E-mail: vacancies@eachq.org