UNDP Jobs - 60409- Procurement Advisor, Long-term Consultancy

Procurement Advisor, Long-term Consultancy

Location :

Dili, Timor Leste

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

08-Oct-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 Months

Languages Required :

English Portuguese

Expected Duration of Assignment :

12 Months

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Timor-Leste has been making steady progress towards socio-economic growth, but challenges abound. The Government has articulated its developmental vision through a National Development Strategy, demonstrated clear political commitment to social protection and is embarking on a range of governance and public finance reforms. However, high poverty rate (almost 50%), double digit inflation especially food inflation that directly impacts the poor, high dependency rates resulting from the demographic profile, high youth unemployment and institutional structures and systems that need to be strengthened. These challenges are visible in Oe-Cusse district, an enclave nestled within Western Timor province of Indonesia and with an estimated population of 70,000. Oe-Cusse’s developmental challenges are deepened due to its geographical location, weak and very basic institutional base and low public investments in services, making efficient governance difficult at best.

The Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (RDTL) accords a special status to Oe-Cusse, stating that it shall be ‘governed by a special administrative policy and economic regime’ (Article 71, Clause 2) and a law on Oe-Cusse has recently been passed by the National Parliament, granting Oe-Cusse comprehensive administrative autonomy.

UNDP has been providing policy advice to the Special Economic Zone for Social Market Economy (ZEESM) Office since its establishment and has developed a program to help the Authority and ZEESM (at this point the two are synonymous) conceive, establish and operationalise institutional and developmental structures and systems in Oe-Cusse. The framework for UNDP’s support to the Oe-Cusse Authority and ZEESM is built around two components: (i) governance (ii) sustainable and innovative development. The proposed assistance is aligned with the priorities of the Fifth Constitutional Government as articulated under Timor-Leste Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030 to establish special zones of social market economy to transform the lives of the people of Oe-Cusse with an integrated approach to sustainable, social and economic development.

One of the basic elements under the governance component is to establish a modern, smart and efficient procurement system and a dedicated Procurement Unit for the Authority. To this end, services of a long term international Procurement Advisor are required.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Implement the approved strategy for establishing a procurement system and a Procurement Unit in the Authority;
Elaboration and implementation of operational strategies;
Efficient management of procurement processes, operations and sustainability of ZEESM;
Elaboration, introduction and implementation of sourcing strategy and e-procurement tools;
Ensure capacity building and facilitate knowledge building and sharing; and
Provide high quality and senior level advice, advocacy and inputs to the President

Technical and Advisory Services:

Lead the process of effecting changes in the legal, institutional and operational systems leading to the full implementation of the new procurement system and the establishment of the Procurement Unit;
Develop relevant rules and regulations in tandem with the Legal Advisory to the President of the Authority and implement them;
Develop operational mechanisms, processes, procedures and tools under the new procurement system and manage their implementation according to a phased program;
Draft Procurement Manual and guidelines for the procurement of goods and services and civil works as determined by and in line with the priorities outlined by the President of Authority;
Draft standard bidding documents for procurement process for civil works, good and services including invitation to bid; instruction to bidders; bid data sheet; general conditions of contract management; bidding templates; specification and bill of quantities;
Prepare and elaborate tendering processes and evaluation, contractor appraisal, evaluation and negotiation of offers, management of the contract and contractor, legal considerations and payment conditions, risk assessment;
Ensure the transparency, efficiency, quality and effectiveness of the procurement system by introducing appropriate performance standards and performance measurement practices and mechanisms as well as through risk management and customer relationship management;
Prepare, elaborate and implement strategic procurement in the Authority including sourcing strategy, supplier selection and evaluation, quality management and e-procurement introduction;
Establish and implement proper monitoring system and control of procurement processes including organization of Request for Quotation (RFQ), International Competitive Bidding (ICB) or Request for Proposal (RFP); receipt and evaluation of quotations, bids or proposals; negotiation of certain conditions of contracts in full compliance with the rules and regulations of the Authority;
Draft and recommend e-procurement tools for the management of rosters of suppliers, elaboration of supplier selection and evaluation, quality and performance measurement mechanisms;
Develop and implement a institutional capacity building program for the staff of the Authority;
Monitor the effectiveness, efficiency and relevance of the Procurement System in the context of the evolution of the Authority and that of ZEESM; and
Provide high quality advice to the President on issues related to procurement management.

Provide mentoring and coaching:

Mentoring and coaching staff members to ensure that they understand the new procurement system, procedures and tools;
Involve staff extensively in procurement work, exposing them to increasing levels of responsibility, substance and independence;
Identify a successor and groom and mentor him/her to progressively assume increased levels of responsibility;
Provide staff with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to grow on the job;

Competencies

Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills;
Excellent problem solving and man-management skills;
Ability to communicate and state ideas clearly and coherently to different audiences, from the highest levels of political managers, to government officials at different levels;
Excellent, demonstrable report writing and communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Masters degree in Business Administration, Procurement Management and or Supply chain Management or relevant field.

Experience:

At least 10 years of Procurement Management and Supply chain management experience and related capacity development activities;
Proven track record in establishing or improving procurement systems, managing teams and complex logistics;
Excellent computer/information systems skills;
Ability to produce quantitative and qualitative reports demonstrated through written report and or publications; and
Understanding of Timor-Leste context or of similar countries will be an advantage

Language:

Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; and
Knowledge of Portuguese or Tetum is highly desirable.

TOR and application documents are accessible via this link http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=25567