World Bank: Procurement Specialist - Abuja

World Bank Nigeria Country Office, is looking for a highly organized and energized professional to serve as a Procurement Specialist in the Country Office. This position is geared to assisting the World Bank staff, Nigeria Government, and other agencies in implementing World Bank-financed programs by providing critical procurement advice and support. The incumbent will respond to the increasing demand to provide procurement support to World Bank operations in Nigeria and other countries as required from time to time.

Job Title: Procurement Specialist

Job #: 101674
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Appointment: Local Hire
Language Requirements: English [Essential]

DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
Specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for the following:

• Provide procurement support during project preparation; and project implementation (including priorand post reviews of all procurement documents and decisions for selected projects in Nigeria, and other countries as required from time to time, of the projects portfolio financed by the Bank;
• Assist the Borrower in procurement capacity building activities including support during country procurement assessment and the procurement reform process;
• Work on procurement matters across sectors in the performance of the Bank’s fiduciary and service functions, seeking guidance on complex projects/issues from senior procurement staff;
• Review and handle the technical, commercial and legal aspects of procurement (in consultation with Legal and Policy departments as necessary) at all stages of the project cycle;
• Provide operational advice to clients and Bank staff on concepts, policies and procedures for international and local procurement;
• Participate in missions as procurement expert on projects; assess procurement implications of project design, evaluate institutional capacity of borrowers and develop suitable procurement plans; conduct prior and post reviews of Bank-financed contracts;
• Participate in country procurement assessments; prepare background analysis; collaborate on developing appropriate public procurement legislation and practices;
• Negotiate and resolve difficult procurement issues with Borrower agencies and handle questions/ complaints from senior officials and contractors on bidding and award issues;
• Prepare a range of procurement-related documents and reports; and providing guidance and training to junior procurement staff;
• Under the guidance of the Procurement Hub Coordinator, review and handle procurement-related complaints and misprocurement cases, and liaise with the Department of Institutional Integrity (INT) on cases relating to fraud and corruption in procurement and contracting process; and
• Monitor and ensure compliance with Bank’s procurement fiduciary policies and performance against Bank service standards for procurement under projects in the Nigeria portfolio.

SELECTION CRITERIA

• A Masters degree with a major in a relevant discipline (e.g. Engineering, Law, Procurement, Finance, Business or Commerce) and relevant training in procurement work;
• At least five (5) years of direct relevant work experience as Procurement Specialist or alternatively, having had responsibilities with a substantial content of his/her position in the procurement area in or outside the World Bank;
• Good knowledge of all concepts and principles of and approaches to international procurement, and of public procurement systems;
• Knowledge and understanding of technical, commercial and legal aspects of procurement at all phases of Bank lending operations;
• Demonstrated analytical clarity, problem-solving skills and negotiating skills with ability to balance project objectives and procurement requirements with client needs;
• Task/ Project management skills;
• Strong communication skills in presenting, discussing and resolving difficult issues, both orally and in writing, and excellent listening skills;
• Ability to deal sensitively with a multi-cultural environment and build effective business relationships with clients and colleagues within a matrix management environment;
• Ability to function effectively in multi-disciplinary teams with a matrix management environment;
• Exceptional degree of integrity, judgment and tact in handling the most sensitive, diverse and confidential material;
• Understanding of Bank business objectives, policies and practices related to project/sector and critical links to procurement is desirable; and
• Knowledge and experience in e-procurement will be an added advantage.

Application Closing Date is 25th August 2010

Candidates who have worked (or currently working) in the World Bank (or other Multilateral Development Bank) financed Projects will have an added advantage.

Qualified male and female candidates of diverse background (gender, religious, ethnic) are encouraged to apply.

Click here to apply online