Arizona State University
Position Title: Procurement Officer
YOUNG AFRICAN LEADERS’ INITIATIVE LEGACY AND LOCALIZATION
SUMMARY
The Young African Leadership Initiative Legacy and Localization (YALI L&L) project, led by Arizona State University, seeks qualified candidates to serve as the Procurement Officer on a USAID project supporting the next-generation expression of the Regional Leadership Centers (RLC) component of the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI), the United States’ premier investment in young African leaders. As the on-continent component of the YALI program, in 2015 USAID launched four YALI RLCs at higher education institutions in Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, and South Africa. The RLCs have provided access to leadership and functional training to 22,000 young leaders aged 18–35 from 49 sub-Saharan countries in three tracks: business and entrepreneurship, public management, and civic leadership. YALI 2030 will build on the RLC foundation to create an expanded pan-African youth development model that will harmonize training curriculum, serve underrepresented/underserved youth, build alumni network capacity and professional development opportunities, and develop new program- related partnerships with the private sector and other stakeholders and donors. ASU has hosted YALI Mandela Washington Fellows annually since 2014, led public management cohorts at the East Africa Regional Leadership Center, collaborates with the Mastercard Foundation on an eLearning Initiative with African universities, implemented higher education projects for USAID with multiple universities on the continent, and maintains an African hub and a network of alumni through ASU-Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Position location: This is a full-time national position and will be based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Main Purpose of Job
We are seeking to recruit an exceptional individual to fill the position of Procurement Officer. The holder of this position will report to the Finance and Administration Senior Director and will be responsible for supporting YALI LL Project’s procurement department in procuring of goods, services, and travel as per the YALI Project Procurement Policy and the Travel Policy.
Key Responsibilities
- Manages procurement processes for all grant and technical activities, including determining procurement requirements, ensuring appropriate procurement methods and application of transparent processes.
- Review requisition documentation and cost estimates for processing and monitor all project procurement activities and the delivery status in line with the Organization’s procurement policy.
- Participate in the vendor prequalification of service providers in close coordination with the procurement committee and maintain an updated supplier’s database in the system.
- Support in developing procurement SOPS and relevant templates ensuring that staff comply with the necessary steps for procuring goods and services
- Oversee solicitation and analysis of quotations / bids in order to make procurement decisions ensuring accuracy of pricing information.
- Assist in travel arrangements including liaison with travel agency
for a route selection, and purchase of tickets for participants as
required.
Help non-procurement staff understand the procurement processes and requirements. - Maintain appropriated records to ensure that procurement process, decision, and contractual agreement are accurately documented for accountability and audit process.
- Support the assets register management.
- Any other duties as may be assigned
Key competencies
- Demonstrated leadership and management skills.
- Expertise delivering performance excellence
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent strategic planning skills; Strong judgement and decision-making skills.
- Excellent verbal communication skills and excellent report writing skills.
- Experience with the use of the internet, including social media for fundraising purposes.
- Ability to work in a team and be a self-starter.
Required Qualifications:
- Degree in Finance, Business Administration, or a business-related course and at least 2 years of relevant experience in procurement of goods, and services including international travel.
- Previous experience working on USAID-funded programs strongly preferred
- Professional qualification such as CIPS is an added advantage
- Knowledge of USG and FAR regulations and procurement and acquisition aspects of USAID- funded activities
- Ability to plan and organize together with Finance and Administration Director and Programme teams to develop travel plans (annual and quarterly) and organize conferences and accommodation
- Demonstrate ability to maintain lasting, healthy, and effective one-to-one working relationships with colleagues, suppliers and consultants.
- Possess excellent oral and written English skills and ability to represent YALI LL Project in vendor meetings.
- Demonstrable planning and organizational skills and ability to meet tight deadlines.
- Flexibility and initiative, as well as the ability to work independently, combined with the skills for thriving in a team environment to achieve institutional goals.
- High professional and ethical standards for handling confidential information.
- Willingness to be flexible in working hours, work under pressure and adapt to changing priorities and deadlines.
- Problem solving ability
How to apply
How to Apply
Interested qualified candidates are invited tosubmit their application and Curriculum Vitae indicating full contact details of three professional referees to YALI@asu.edu by 24th October, 2023.
Applicants must include the POSITION TITLE in the subject line of their email. Please do not attach copies of certificates.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview. YALI LL is an equal opportunity employer.