Procurement Team Lead (AfCDC) at the African Union (AU)

The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organization of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999). We are an Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Procurement Team Lead (AfCDC)

Req Id: 2712
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Reports to: Head Supply Chain Division
Directorate/Department/Organ: Administration Directorate Africa CDC 
Division: Supply Chain Division
Number of Direct Reports: -6
Job Grade: P4
Number of Positions: 1
Contract Type: Fixed Term 

Purpose of Job

• Procurement team lead will provide operational support to the procurement unit, including administrative oversight, while ensuring that its predefined strategies and policies are executed effectively and following up on relevant activities.  
• The incumbent is responsible for providing leadership and guidance to the procurement function under the Africa CDC and will ensure that procurement activities are carried out in a transparent and competitive manner, in compliance and accordance with African Union/Africa CDC’s policies and procedures. 
• The Procurement team lead will also work closely with project teams to ensure that procurement activities are effectively integrated into project implementation.

Main Functions

• Manage end-to-end procurement activities from planning to contract award as per the AU procurement Rules 
• Participate in the execution of predefined programs and activities of the Division.
• Develop, execute, and administer complex procurements for diverse works, goods and services in accordance with AU Regulations and internally accepted standards and procedures.  
• Provide technical advice and guidance as procurement officer responsible for all aspects of procurement functions including providing procurement expert advice, advising management and clients on wide range and complex technical and other issues relating to institutional procurement.
• Engage with relevant stakeholders to build lasting relationships and promote collaboration.
• Ensure the effective exchange of information between the Division and relevant stakeholders.
• Contribute to the preparation of reports.
• Ensure compliance with defined policies.

Specific Responsibilities

• In consultation with Business Units, reviews the type of works, goods and services required and recommends appropriate procurement strategy and method and sources to be solicited. 
• Develop / Revise the Procurement Strategy Document for the World Bank project. 
• Prepare solicitation documents for goods, works and services to be procured using appropriate methodologies. 
• Carry out the procurement process, including pre-bidding conference, evaluation of bids, post-qualification, and recommendation for award in line with African Union’s Procurement procedures and the World Bank procurement regulations.
• Support the preparation and consolidation of the annual procurement plan of Africa CDC. 
• Prepare procurement planning in World Bank steps system and monitor procurement activities for Africa CDC
• Monitor and track the implementation of the Annual Procurement Plan in close collaboration with Business Units.
• Prepare periodic reports and statistics on procurement activities such as purchase orders.
• Reviews progress and status reports as required.
• Creating purchase orders in SAP, creating service entry sheets, parking suppliers’ and consultants’ invoices in the Africa CDC’s ERP/SAP system. 
• Facilitate and conduct Procurement training in procurement techniques, processes and systems for Africa CDC staff. 
• Providing guidance to Business Units on procurement, as well as oversight. Support Business Units in creating departmental procurement plans and estimates.
• Prepare contracts for complex and simple goods and services and support the contract administration process in close collaboration with the business units.
• Provide advice and guidance to Business Units concerning development of specifications for acquisition of goods or related services including preparation of price estimates on procurement requests for non-standard items.
• Develop procurement strategies for project and corporate procurements.
• Ensure timely implementation of procurement activities, in accordance with project schedules.
• Prepare and present procurement cases to the relevant authorities for approval.
• Identify and manage procurement risk in the procurement cycle.
• Track orders to ensure prompt delivery of services;

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master’s Degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Commerce, Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related fields with 10 years’ experience in Procurement, Supply Chain, Public Procurement, or Administration of which three years at the expert level.
• Bachelor’s degree in management, Procurement, Supply Chain, Law, Business Administration, Commerce, Accounting, or related fields with at least 12 years’ experience in Procurement, Supply Chain, Public Procurement, or Administration of which three years at the expert level.
• Demonstrable experience in using SAP/Enterprise Resource Planning system and STEP System is highly desirable.
• Experience in World Bank project procurement and contract implementation is highly desirable. 
• Demonstrable experience and comprehensive knowledge in legal/contract management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Office and project management.
• Demonstrable experience in routine and emergency procurement processing and reporting, shipping, and receiving, and inventory control in medium to large organizations.   
• Demonstrable experience in supporting and leading development of complex procurements, e.g., purchase.

Required Skills:

• Resourceful and skilled at collecting, analyzing and using data to recommend, make and communicate decisions of a technical nature lay audiences.
• Familiarity with the procurement management and logistics practices and processes typically employed by public health or public sector programmes
• Excellent narrative reporting skills;
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills
• Excellent interpersonal relationship practices to meet and deal with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent diplomatic, representational, interpersonal and communication skills, including experience successfully interacting with stakeholders and decision-makers in technical and other professional settings.
• Skills in translating highly technical information into presentations, briefings and reports and funding proposals for lay audiences.
• Resourceful and skilled at collecting, analyzing and using data to recommend, make and communicate decisions of a technical nature to lay audiences.
• Demonstrated ability regarding computer skills, including excellent word-processing capabilities, proficiency with e-mail and internet applications and experience in using office software applications such as MS Excel, PowerPoint and Word, and familiarity with electronic data processing systems and ERP such as SAP.
• Knowledge of Systematic Tracking of Exchanges In Procurement (STEP) is an added advantage.
• Ability to deliver under tight deadlines and works well under pressure. 
• Proven ability to plan, delegate and direct subordinates.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to use clear, concise language in correspondence as well as including content fitting for the purpose and audiences when preparing written briefs and reports.
• Able to operate in a multicultural environment.
• High level of autonomy at work, yet with profound team-spirit.
• Adaptive, patient, resourceful, resilient and flexible.
• Pro-active and solutions oriented.

Remuneration
The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 110,951.49  (P4 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 92,867.97 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Application Closing Date
16th June, 2025, 11h59 p.m. EAT.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Only candidates who meet all job requirements and are selected for interviews will be contacted. 
• Consideration will be given only to those candidates who have submitted a fully completed online application with a curriculum vitae (CV), an African passport, and the required academic qualifications, such as Diplomas, Bachelor's degrees, Master's degrees and any relevant certificate in line with the area of expertise.
• The African Union is an equal opportunity employer, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. 
• Candidates from less represented countries within the African Union are strongly encouraged to apply for positions that fit their profiles.
• These countries include Algeria, Angola, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Sahrawi D.R., Sao Tome and Principe., Seychelles, Somalia and Tunisia.