Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Vacancy : Procurement Officers

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional group of fifteen West African countries currently recruits for the positions of Procurement Officers . Founded on 28 May 1975, with the signing of the Treaty of Lagos, its mission is to promote economic integration across the region. Considered one of the pillars of the African Economic Community, the organization was founded in order to achieve collective self-sufficiency for its member states by creating a single large trading bloc through an economic and trading union. It also serves as a peacekeeping force in the region. The organization operates officially in three co-equal languages French, English, and Portuguese.

We are currently recruiting for the position below:

Job Title: Procurement Officer

Reference: ECW-COMM/REC/ADMIN-P001/2015
Location: Abuja, Nigeria

Department: General Administration and Conference

Directorate: General Administration

Grade: P3

Supervisor: Principal Officer Procurement

Duration: Permanent

Job Description

Under the supervision of the Head of the procurement Division, the Procurement Officer has the responsibility for the management of the daily procurement activities in the division from the request to the delivery of goods, works and services.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Executes procurement plans to support business and operational needs based on requirements stated in the business plans and budgets of departments.
• Prepare bidding documents, terms of reference, purchase orders, proposed contracts, suppliers' bills and other procurement documents, as directed by the Head of Procurement.
• Ensures the needs of requestors are proactively identified and met, taking appropriate actions by handling request orders, supporting tendering/bid management processes, price management, service delivery, vendor management and communication efforts with suppliers.
• Keep track of the status of each procurement - from request to delivery or receipt by the requester - ensuring that priorities are met.
• In liaison with Finance, ensure timely funding, and/or resolution of any funding issues in relation to procurement activities.
• Develop a detailed level of material knowledge for designated ranges of products within allocated groups of products/materials.
• Maintain awareness of market conditions, including source lists, price availability and competitiveness, and ensure that costs are fair and reasonable prior to approving any purchase.
• Check specifications for goods and Terms of reference for services ensuring compliance with set standards, regulations, procedures and process requisition in accordance with related ECOWAS and donor policies and procedures for Goods, Works and Intellectual Services.
• Maintains adequate vendor documentation and/or specifications on sources of supply, costs, delivery, vendor performance ratings, and quality requirements.
• Analyse all material requisitions for proper material descriptions, budget authorisations and cost centres, which the purchases are being charged.
• Produce/provide periodic updates and required management reports covering service ordering, order tracking, purchase orders and contracts, service order delivery scheduling and costs.
• Maintain a central register of main contracts to accurately record the status of contracts with suppliers, develop appropriate database for key suppliers, main contractors and Consultants and track service level agreements with vendors, Contractors and Consultants.

Qualifications/Experience/Skills

• A Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Purchasing & Supplies, Supply Chain Management, Economics, Social Sciences or equivalent.
• At least five (5) years experience in Procurement with experience of procurement procedures of development partners (World bank, AFDB, European Union).
• Must have good writing and computer application skills;
• Possession of a higher degree will reduce the number of years' experience to three (3).

Competencies

• A good knowledge and understanding of the procurement process, sourcing, tendering methods and tender documents;
• Understands negotiation principles and techniques;
• Ability to develop strategic relationships with key suppliers and to maintain supplier development techniques;
• Ability to plan and organise the procurement process;
• Understanding of the importance of Audit and financial compliance and its impact on the procurement process;
• A good knowledge of inventory, Logistics and Supply Chain processes;
• A good understanding of Costing Methods;
• Knowledge of World Bank, EU and other donor procurement processes and principles would be an advantage.

Age:

• The officer should not over 50 years old at the point of recruitment and must be a citizen of one of the ECOWAS member states.

Language:

• Must be fluent in one of the official languages of the Community: English, French and Portuguese. A working knowledge of another would be an advantage.

Remuneration

USD 36,901 - USD 44,469

Application Closing Date

30th July, 2015.

Method of Application

Interested and qualified candidates should:

Click here to apply online