Procurement Specialist Job at Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI)

Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI) is an international development company. For more than 45 years, we have worked on the frontlines of international development, tackling fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. Currently, DAI is delivering results that matter in some 80 countries.

Our development solutions turn ideas into impact by bringing together fresh combinations of expertise and innovation across multiple disciplines. Our clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and national governments.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Position: Procurement Specialist

Job Location: Bauchi
Start date: On/about 1st September 2023.

Background

• The purpose of the five-year (2020-2025) “State Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness” (“State2State”) Activity is to increase the accountability, transparency and effectiveness of selected state and local governments (LGAs) in Nigeria. This will be achieved by strengthening governance systems (with a focus on public financial management [PFM] and procurement, as well as monitoring and evaluation) related to the delivery of services in key sectors (basic education, primary health care, and water, sanitation, and hygiene [WASH]) and increasing government responsiveness to citizen needs and priorities.
• Also improving government and civil society's capacity to manage conflict while working on prevention, mitigation, and reconciliation through mainstreaming conflict into primary interventions implemented.
• State2State will achieve this purpose by facilitating the strengthening of subnational governance systems in a sustainable manner, supporting the efforts of local reformers, and building on locally derived solutions including, to the extent possible, reforms already working in other parts of Nigeria.

Position Objectives

• The Procurement Specialist will procure goods and services for required State2State project activities.
• S//he will maintain procurement data.
• S/he will solicit bids from various vendors to procure the items within the required time frame and at a reasonable cost.
• S/he will prepare an offer analysis and make recommendations regarding possible vendors.
• S/he will follow up with selected vendors to ensure that procured services are delivered effectively and in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• S/he will ensure that procurement-related activities conducted by project staff in the field will be carried out in accordance with the FAR and AIDAR and will follow sound procurement procedures as outlined by DAI.

Responsibilities
The duties of the position include but are not limited to the following:

• Manage procurement of a wide range of goods, commodities, and services through subcontracts, blanket purchase agreements, and purchase orders.
• Oversee solicitation of bids and quotes from vendors in adherence with policies and approved requisitions and procurement plans
• Follow up with selected vendors to ensure that procured services are delivered effectively and in timely and cost-effective manner.
• Ensure that procurement-related activities conducted by project staff in the field will be carried out in accordance with procurement procedures as outlined by DAI.
• Comply with consistent usage of DAI’s operations & procurement systems (TAMIS) in managing procurement processes.
• Maintain electronic procurement records and files in required DAI’s systems.
• Train other DAI staff in the use of procurement systems, as necessary.
• Prepare offer analysis and make recommendations regarding possible vendors.
• Help non-procurement staff understand the requirements for submitting accurate and thorough requisitions, cost estimates, and statements of work, or to determine other technical specifications.
• May serve as a non-voting chairperson on evaluation committees in accordance with DAI policies/procedures and thresholds.
• Review and analyze budget estimates for allowability, allocability, reasonableness, and consistency; prepare cost evaluation data, and source selection documentation.
• Through market research efforts, identify and qualify potential suppliers (and products/services).
• Ensure that beneficial, ethical, and open supplier relationships are created and maintained according to procurement policies.
• Other related responsibilities deemed necessary but not detailed herein.

Location:

• Bauchi is the primary base work location but also includes travel to Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Gombe, and Sokoto field offices as needed for work completion; also, travel to other project sites, Abuja, etc. as needed depending on the security situation.

Reporting:

• The Procurement Specialist will be supervised technically by the Operations Manager.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, International Development, or other relevant field is required. An advanced degree is preferred.
• At least seven (7) years of professional experience, with a minimum of three (3) years in purchasing and supply management experience. Previous experience working on US Government funded projects is highly preferred.
• Strong numeric skills and attention to detail and quality.
• Demonstrated logical and flexible problem-solver, especially when working under pressure.
• Previous supervisory experience highly preferred.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Possesses both a willingness and an ability to train and be trained.