Background:
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the position of Procurement Officer .
IITA is an international non-profit research-for-development (R4D) organization created in 1967, governed by a Board of Trustees, and supported primarily by the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Our R4D is anchored on the development needs of sub-Saharan Africa. We develop agricultural solutions with our partners to tackle hunger and poverty by reducing producer and consumer risks, enhancing crop quality and productivity, and generating wealth from agriculture. We have more than 100 internationally recruited scientists from about 35 countries and 900 nationally recruited staff based in various stations across Africa. Please visit http://www.iita.org/ for more information on IITA.
IITA is looking for a Procurement officer to work in a project that is operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Zambia, Ghana, Mali and Nigeria. The project will focus on four components:
1) Generation of agricultural technologies and innovations,
2) Sustainable dissemination and adoption of agricultural technologies and innovations across the value chain, 3) Sustainable capacity strengthening of project stakeholders and
4) Efficient management of the project.
Position/Responsibilities
• Undertake the tendering, evaluation, placement and monitoring of a portfolio of contracts in accordance with Africa Development Bank (AfDB) procedures.
• Prepare and process purchase orders and documents in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Source, select and negotiate for the best purchase package in terms of quality, price, terms, deliveries and services with suppliers.
• Assist in the selection of appropriate suppliers and contractors.
• Promote good procurement practice with due regard to sustainability, ethical purchasing standards and whole life costing.
• Participate in negotiation of contract terms on a range of central contracts and to monitor performance against these contracts.
• Maintain complete updated purchasing records/data and pricing in the system.
• Execute and monitor all regular purchasing duties.
• Coordinate with end users and suppliers in the purchasing scope of work for projects assigned.
• Assist in managing and following up overseas orders.
• Handle and monitor claims with vendors for defective, shortage, missing parts.
• Coordinate with suppliers to ensure on-time delivery.
• Monitor and co-ordinate deliveries of items between suppliers to ensure that all items are delivered on time.
• Plan and manage inventory levels of materials or products.
• Source for new parts, suppliers or sub-contractors when the need arises.
Educational Qualifications
Professional Certificate in Procurement and Supply Chain Management (PCSM) from a recognised Chartered Institute is essential. A first degree in Finance with at least 7 years supply chain logistics and purchasing experience in the higher education / research and private sector would be a distinct advantage.
Core Competencies:
• Ability to multi-task in a fast paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills – ability to communicate with peers and management at all levels of the organization.
• Strong computer skills, with expertise in Excel, as well as other business operating systems.
• Strong organizational abilities, people management skills and ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to analyze and make improvement recommendations.
• Inventory level management and planning, matching forecast demand with on hand, on order, or in transit quantities.
• Strong customer service orientation.
Duty station: IITA Ibadan, Nigeria
General information: Initial appointment is for three years. IITA offers a competitive remuneration package paid in US dollars.
Applications: Applications including curriculum vitae, names and addresses of three referees should be addressed to the Human Resources Manager. Please complete our online application form using this link: http://www.iita.org/irs-online-application
Closing Date: Wednesday, 25 April 2012
