Procurement Officer - GRMF (IED) at African Union(AU)

Purpose of Job

• To support the Infrastructure and Energy Department in all procurement related activities, including the implementation of the Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility (GRMF).

Main Functions

• Prepares and monitors the procurement activities of the Infrastructure and Energy Department in line with a predefined strategic plan.
• Contributes in conducting analysis and generates accurate reports in a timely manner for the Infrastructure and Energy Department and AU’s internal use.
• Provides technical support to internal and external stakeholders in relation to the Department’s procurement activities.
• Conducts preliminary research on respective policy areas and suggests improvement on existing policy areas.
• Engages with relevant stakeholders and develop working relationships.
• Supports the promotion of the activities of the Infrastructure and Energy Department and Regional Geothermal Coordination Unit (RGCU) including preparing leaflets, guidelines and fact sheets.
• Implements the procurement function of the GRMF.
• Provides strategic and operational advice to the RGCU, the project developers under GRMF and to the GRMF Oversight Committee.
• Ensure fulfillment of the applicable financial and procurement rules regarding all activities related to GRMF.

Specific Responsibilities

• Manages end–to–end procurement activities from planning to contract award
• Participates in the execution of predefined programmes and activities of the Department, including the GRMF.
• Provides guidance to Business Units on procurement and support the Business Units in creating Procurement Plans and estimates.
• Provides advice and guidance to Business Units concerning development of specifications for the acquisition of goods or related services including preparation of price estimates on procurement requests for non-standard items.
• Monitors and tracks the implementation of the Annual Procurement Plan in close collaboration with Business Units.
• Ensures the effective exchange of information between the Department, the Procurement Unit and all relevant Departments involved in the procurement process.
• Facilitates and conducts procurement training covering procurement principles, techniques, processes and systems for African Union staff, and promote understanding of the AU procurement manual.
• Reviews submissions from Divisions/Units and the RGCU for compliance with procedures prior to submission for consideration and approval by the Internal Procurement Committee or Tender Board.
• Monitors and tracks the Implementation of the Annual Procurement Plan in close collaboration with Business Units.
• Facilitates and conducts Procurement training in procurement techniques, processes and systems for African Union staff.
• Prepares and presents procurement cases to the relevant authorities for approval.
• Identifies and manages procurement risk in the procurement cycle.
• Implements the procurement function of the GRMF by performing specific tasks for the programme:
• Provide procurement support at 1st level, 2nd level and 3rd level procurements of the project phase during pre-qualification, Application and Contracting phases of the GRMF.
• Provide input in Request for Proposals, Instructions to Applicants, Grant Contracts, and all other documents pertaining to the GRMF project.
• Coordinate Application receipts and participate in evaluations with Technical Assistant and Procurement and Legal Departments of the AUC.
• Participate in Monitoring and Evaluation Missions for the GRMF for activities under procurement functions at 3rd level procurement management.
• Identify issues requiring AUC legal, procurement and financial advice and liaise with the concerned AUC offices to find solutions.
• Liaise with the various actors and stakeholders of the program including donors to ensure clear flow of information and smooth implementation of the program.
• Keep track of due reports, payments, monitoring and evaluation activities, meetings as well as all logistical and financial matters to ensure timely completion of reports, activities, and payments.
• Proactively prompt concerned AUC sections on required actions and deadlines regarding the GRMF to ensure the successful completion of the project.
• Review and monitor disbursements to developers and contractors.
• Develops, executes, and administers complex procurements for diverse procurement requirements in accordance with GRMF Procurement Guidelines and Early Contract Manual in line with AU Regulations and internally accepted standards and procedures.  
• Reviews submissions from Geothermal Developers for compliance with laid down procedures.
• Performs any other relevant duty/ responsibility assigned by the Supervisor.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Bacher’s Degree with in Procurement, Law, Commerce, Finance/ Accounting/Business administration, Economics, Engineering with 5 years experience in the field of Procurement, Law, Commerce, Finance/ Accounting/business Administration within a major Government, International Organization, large Public or Private sector organization

Or

• Master’s Degree in similar studies with 2 years relevant experience

Required Skills:

• Oral and written communication skills
• Planning and organisational skills
• Analytical skills
• 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

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

Leadership Competencies:

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

Core Competencies

• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Foster Accountability Culture
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with Influence

Functional Competencies:

• Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Job Knowledge Sharing
• Drive for Results
• Continuous Improvement Focus

Tenure of Appointment

• The Appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables.

Gender Mainstreaming

• The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Remuneration

• The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 85,212.07 (P2 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$  66,751.81  inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.