The Asia Foundation
The Asia Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to the development of a peaceful, prosperous, just, and open Asia-Pacific region. The Foundation supports programs in Asia that help improve governance, law, and civil society; women's empowerment; economic reform and development; and international relations. Drawing on more than 55 years of experience in Asia, the Foundation collaborates with private and public partners to support leadership and institutional development, exchanges, and policy research. With a network of 19 offices throughout Asia, an office in Washington, D.C., and its headquarters in San Francisco, the Foundation addresses these issues on both a country and regional level.
Closing date: 01 Dec 2009 -- (CLOSED)
Location: Afghanistan
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Change Management and Critical Institutional Strengthening Interventions in Public Sector Development and Programme Support at the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL)
GENERAL SUMMARY:
The Contracting and Procurement Specialist is responsible for managing and overseeing the procurement policies and contracting strategies through defining documentation and policies within the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) office in Kabul. S/He assists the Chief of Party (COP) and Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP) in evaluating, planning and developing policies and systems. S/He will be responsible to plan, analyze, or evaluate procurement programs; review proposed contractual actions for conformance with regulatory requirements and practices; develop policies and procedures; and provide advice and guidance.
The Contracts and Procurement Specialist will report to the DCoP. The Specialist will work in close collaboration with the Human Resources Advisor, the Financial Advisor, the Minister and the Deputy Minister to design a procurement plan based on the MAIL current and projected needs and will carry out responsibilities laid down below.
- Negotiates contract modifications and the terms and costs of contract changes.
- Prepare written requests for proposal; requirements; issues solicitation documents; analyzes offers received; prepares negotiation positions; evaluates technical and cost proposals; negotiates cost, fee or profit as well as technical issues; and enters into a formal contract with the vendors.
- Performs work related to the review, analysis, and/or interpretation of procurement statutes, regulations, policy, concepts, guidance, or procedures for use in the solution of procurement or contracting problems or the accomplishment of projects or programs.
- Provides contract/procurement advice and assistance to HR Advisor, Financial Specialists and designate technical staff, and/or others on contract or procurement policies, problems, or issues.
- Monitors outstanding contracts to ensure satisfactory progress, to assure compliance with the terms and conditions of the contract, and to identify problems that threaten contractor performance.
- Providing expert advice, training and mentoring to operational procurement and contracting employees at the Ministry in the areas of acquisition strategies, cost/price analysis, negotiation, documentation, contract negotiation and administration.
- Responsible for developing, reviewing and recommending policy covering all aspects of contracting and procurement. Responsible for the full range of pre-award and post-award functions involving negotiated procurement of considerable complexity and importance.
- Monitor the progress of the selected vendors to ensure proper delivery according to the agreed-upon terms and notify the Finance Department when invoices may be paid.
- Oversee and maintain vendor list and updating the same periodically.
- Process Vendors Pre-Qualification and ensuring the pre-qualified vendors and contracted for recurring procurements (supplies, stationery etc.)
- Ensure that all policies are in compliance with The Asia Foundation and USAID policies.
- Other tasks as directed by the DCoP and Human Resources Advisor.
Contracting and Procurement Specialist Requirements:
- Degree in Business Administration or Procurement and Contracting desirable.
- At least 5 to 10 years relevant experience. Work experience with international organization with experience in Contracting and Procurement is desirable.
- Experience in donor liaison. Work experience with USAID is desirable.
- Ability to work in post conflict and security sensitive environment. Work experience in Afghanistan is desirable.
- Strong leadership skills and the ability to make effective decisions.
- Strong analytical skills to make quantitative projections and recommendations.
- Takes responsibility to solve problems and drive projects with increasingly ambiguous information or possible outcomes.
- Handles multiple tasks at one time completes tasks in parallel. Maintains reasoning through multiple buying issues at one time.
- Strong MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Access) skills. Able to create documents, spreadsheets, graphs, presentations, project schedules.
- Excellent human relations skills. Ability to deal with a variety of people and situations.
- Excellent diplomatic skills and ability to work in a fast paced environment.
- Professional presence and appearance.
Reference Code: RW_7XYULG-94
