Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition
Wool and Mohair Value Chain Competitiveness Project
Advertisement for Project Management Unit Positions
The Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho through the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition (MAFSN) will be implementing a Wool and Mohair Value Chain Competitiveness Project (WAMCOP), which is a 7 years project that will be covering the 10 districts of Lesotho. The project loan, is financed by the Government of Lesotho, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Fund for International Development, Global Environment Facility (GEF) and beneficiary’s contributions. The project’s overall goal is to increase the economic and climate resilience of wool and mohair value chain stakeholders, with emphasis on wool and mohair farmer’s livelihoods, including women and youth. The MAFSN is establishing a project management unit and would like to make a call to the relevant professionals for the following project positions;
Position: Procurement & Contract Manager
Duty Station: Maseru, Lesotho
Report To: Project Coordinator
Job Summary:
The Procurement & Contract Manager will work under the direct supervision of and be accountable to, the Project Coordinator of WaMCoP. The Procurement & Contract Manager will be responsible for the entire procurement cycle from the identification of the need to the completion of the contract in line with the procurement plan. The incumbent will be responsible for endorsing the preparation of the Procurement Plan to ensure compliance with IFAD requirements and maintain a project-wide procurement filing system. Moreover, the Procurement & Contract Manager will develop best practices with respect to contract management processes. Lead focal point in terms of providing oversight and governance over external service providers and supervise the work of the procurement assistant.
Responsibilities and Tasks
- Ensure the procurement plan is in line with the AWPBs and in accordance with the IFAD requirements and secure NO objection.
- Recommend necessary adjustments in the procurement section of the Project Implementation Manual (PIM)
- Ensure project procurement actions complies with the highest standards of personal and business conduct;
- Ensure timely conduct of procurement activities;
- Contribute to maintaining teamwork, discipline, sound work relationships and productivity;
- Supervise the activities of the Procurement assistant; and participate in project events to maintain effective working relationship with stakeholders as well as other partners including government institution.
Procurement Planning, Monitoring and Contract Management
- Develop, review and consolidate annual procurement plan in consultation with Non-Procurement-Clearance-Officers project technical experts and where needed end user units;
- Ensure that proposed timelines in the procurement plan are realistic;
- Develop oversight mechanisms over service providers, by developing service performance reviews, risks and control, continuous improvement and quality assurance;
- Provide project procuring entities with guidance on the conduct of procurement short of award to facilitate timely implementation;
- Ensure compliance with Procurement policies and procedures, by different project procuring entities for timely procurement of goods and services, with the timelines for the conduct of procurement activities provided in the Procurement Plan;
- Performance and activity reporting including on contract delivery targets;
- Developing excellent relationships with service providers and external providers, contract benchmarking, contract analysis and dispute resolution;
- Coordinate Bids and Awards Committees of the different project procuring entities
- Conduct field/site visits as part of procurement/contract monitoring effort.
Preparation of procurement activities, bidding and evaluation
- Design bids with requirements that allow fair and transparent competition for security of the most suitable suppliers and service providers.
- Provide technical guidance to the PMU in the evaluation of bids and preparation of evaluation reports to maintain conformity of bid evaluation instructions to bidders and IFAD Procurement Handbook.
- Prepare documentation for submission to IFAD for No Objection through the No Objection Tracking Utility System (NOTUS) where required under the applicable Letter to the Borrower/ Recipient.
- Prepare/review the information contained in the Contract Monitoring Tool (CMT) function of the IFAD Client Portal (ICP) for necessary updates.
- Provide technical assistance to project implementing units during pre-delivery and delivery inspection to verify conformity of deliveries with bidding requirements.
- Review and recommend draft contracts for signature by the Project Coordinator.
- Periodically review implementation of works, goods and services contracts to ensure compliance with procurement provisions and general and special conditions of contract, in close collaboration with the Project technical experts.
- Respond to inquiries from staff regarding scope of work/specifications requisitions, purchase orders, contracts, and pricing information.
- Participate in the provisional and final acceptance of works including the preparation of the respective committees and the acceptance of the works/professional services/equipment delivered.
Qualifications and Experience
- Master`s Degree in Procurement/Supply Chain Management/ Economics/ Accounting/ Finance/ Business Administration from a recognized University plus 4 years work experience 2 of which must be at senior management level.
OR
- Post Graduate Degree in Procurement/Supply Chain Management/ Economics/ Accounting/ Finance/ Business Administration from a recognized University plus 6 years work experience 3 of which must be at senior management level.
OR
- Bachelor’s Degree in Procurement/Supply Chain Management/ Economics/ Accounting/ Finance/ Business Administration from a recognized University plus 8 years work experience 4 of which must be at senior management level.
Skills and Competencies
- Possess the ability to give sound advice on Procurement issues that would impact on the project’s financial and physical performance;
- Good communication and interpersonal skills required;
- Strong personal management and communication skills;
- Excellent knowledge of MS Office, internet use and procurement databases;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty;
- Demonstrated capacity to produce high quality technical reports;
- Fluency in written and spoken English and Sesotho.
SUBMISSION
Interested candidates’ applications should be accompanied by detailed CVs, certified copies of national identity document, educational certificates and transcripts and be delivered to the address below not later than 03rd May, 2024 at 13:30 pm
The Director Human Resources
Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition
Wool and Mohair Value Chain Competitiveness project
P.O Box 24
Maseru 100
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified