Procurement Specialist (STTA)

CNFA-AMD Project

 US-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development

Scope of Work

Background and Purpose

 The U.S.-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development (AMD) activity in Pakistan is a USAID funded activity implemented by CNFA with the goal of supporting the development of Pakistan’s commercial agriculture, particularly through improving the ability of Pakistan’s agriculture and livestock sectors to meet both international and domestic demand and requirements in targeted product lines in citrus, mango, high value/off season vegetables and livestock. AMD envisions transforming the four targeted product lines into efficient, private sector-led value chains that deliver competitive products to domestic and export markets. AMD’s targeted training, matching grants, and technical assistance will leverage private sector investment and encourage innovation. Together, these approaches will support upgrading, streamline supply chains, optimize profit margins, increase participation of women entrepreneurs, and ultimately make Pakistani mango, citrus, meat and HV/OSV more profitable and more competitive.

Tasks

 The Procurement Specialist will execute day-to-day procurement and contract administration activities of the project as per the set procedures, manual, template and guidelines. The Procurement Specialist will assist the Procurement Manager in implementing tasks related to procurement of large value goods, works, and services. Specific duties include:

•  Manage, execute, and coordinate tasks related to the high value procurement of services
• Plan, schedule, and prioritize procurement functions, including plans for the efficient and effective procurement of services
• Monitor receipts of bids and proposals and ensure their safekeeping until bid opening
• Acts as a secretary/supporter/observer to evaluation committees, ensuring that evaluation of bids/proposals received is done on the basis of criteria stipulated in the bidding documentation and performed in accordance with the procurement procedures set forth in procurement manual.
• Preparation of standard bidding documents, procurement processes and reporting templates, procurement plans, procurement implementation plans, and procurement performance reports;
• Assist in the establishment and implementation of a contract administration system;
• Manage the entire procurement process and execute day-to-day procurement functions such as: analyze market conditions, verify technical specifications or terms of reference, prepare and launch tender documents, arrange and facilitate site visits or bidders’ conferences, respond to written queries or requests for clarifications, facilitate evaluation panels, prepare evaluation reports, carry out price reasonableness analysis, facilitate contract negotiations, prepare and award contracts, notify regarding contract award, and conduct debriefings with bidders;
• Provide contract management services including arranging for proper inspection, ensuring compliance with terms and conditions of contracts, addressing delays, troubleshooting problems, assisting in contract amendments, and ensuring completion of works and delivery of goods;
• Ensure that all approvals and procurements records are kept safely and filed appropriately;
• Assist with management and resolution of bid challenges;
• Provide advice on the procurement activities of the Project including reviewing contracts related to procurement of services
• Assure that all procurement activities are performed in a fully professional, transparent, and ethical manner, and that they are in line with procurement regulations and conditions of the grant and implementation agreement;
• Protect the procurement activity from fraud, waste, and abuse;
• Show a willingness to perform other duties as assigned by the Senior Director of Finance and Compliance or Chief of Party        

Deliverables

• Provide monthly report on AMD’s Business Service Providers procurements;
• Provide update report of progress made on ongoing procurement of all services, goods and business service contracts in execution;
• Monthly status of procurement solicitation documents including RFP/RFQ issuance, their evaluations, GST exemption updates, contract deliverables follow up and invoices processed.

Supervision/Reporting

The short term consultant is supervised by and reports to the Senior Director of Finance and Compliance.

Working Conditions/Special Considerations

The consultant is expected to comply with the terms and conditions as noted in his/her letter of agreement with CNFA. 

This assignment is based in Pakistan. Lahore will be the primary duty post.

Qualifications

• Pakistani national
• 3 years of relevant working experience
• Master / Bachelors degree with professional qualification is desirable
• Working knowledge and understanding of best practices in procurement procedures, project administration and follow-up, and contract management;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe applications;
• Knowledge of USAID policies, rules and regulations for procurement is preferable ;
• Previous USAID  project work experience in Pakistan is preferable;
• Team player, with excellent organizational, training design and delivery, time management, and communication skills in English, both written and oral.  Excellent Urdu, with regional language capability desirable.