Purchasing Agent Job at USA Embassy in Tanzania

CLOSING DATE OF THE POSITION: July 27, 2016

Vacancy Announcement Number: 16/023

OPEN TO: All Interested Candidates/ All sources

WORK HOURS: Full-time; 40 hours/week

SALARY: Ordinarily Resident (OR): FSN- 5; (Step 1- TZS 14,962,221 through step 13- 22,443,321per annum)

Not-Ordinarily Resident (NOR): FP- 9*
*Final grade/step for NORs will be determined by Washington.

The “Open To” category listed above refers to candidates who are eligible to apply for this position. The “Open To” category should notbe confused with a “hiring preference” which is explained later in this vacancy announcement.

ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT (OR) APPLICANTS (See Appendix A for definition) MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.

The US Mission in Dar es Salaam is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Purchasing Agent in the General Services Section – Procurement Unit. 

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION 

Receives, prepares and processes procurement requisitions from customers for prompt action from supplies.

Serve as petty cash purchaser and procurement agent assistant for local purchases. 

Demonstrates excellent customer service to US Customers and Tanzanian vendors.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

45%
Receives procurement requests from GSOs, Procurement Agents and Customers. Determines type of action necessary and sources from which the request can be satisfied; This includes soliciting bids and negotiating prices of commodities. Process petty cash Purchases for prompt delivery to customers.

20%
Prepares purchase orders for items to be obtained from local market and other sources. Requests bids or quotations by Telephone, correspondence, advertisement and personally. Visits bidder’s establishment in order to better determine capabilities and to negotiate price and other Conditions.

20%
Processes and follows up requests for prompt action by Suppliers. Reviews price responses and recommends the best offer. Establish and maintain frequent petty cash suppliers contacts, reviews their capabilities and promptness.

15%
Performs all administrative tasks associated with the orders:FPDS, e-filing, cash reconciliation, etc Watch contract timeline for expiration dates. Propose new vendors and creative solutions to procurement based on market research

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

All applicants must address each required qualification listed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified.

1. Education: 
   Completion of Secondary School (form IV) is required.
2. Experience: 
   Two years’ experience in procurement and in supplies is required.
3. Language:
   English Level III (good working knowledge) and Kiswahili Level IV (fluent) is required. (This will be tested)
4. Skills and Abilities: 
   Proficiency in operating Microsoft Word, Excel and Access and position will require driving a manual (Stick-shift) car. Must possess valid driver’s license and be able to drive manual vehicle is required.(This will be tested).
5. Job Knowledge: 
   Knowledge of GSA and local procurement regulations; also inventory control. Knowledge of local commodity service sources is required.

SELECTION PROCESS: When qualified, applicants who are U.S. Citizen Eligible family Members (USEFMs) and/or preference-eligible U.S. Veterans are given a preference in hiring. Therefore, it is essential that these applicants make themselves known as having a hiring preference and specially address the required applications above in their application.

HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER: 
1. USEFM who is ALSO a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran
2. USEFM OR a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran
3. FS on LWOP

* IMPORTANT: Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of the most recent Member Copy Four (4) of the DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and, if applicable, a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. If claiming conditional eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference, applicants must submit proof of conditional eligibility. If the written documentation confirming eligibility is not received in the HR office by the closing date of the vacancy announcement, the U.S. Veterans’ preference will not be considered in the application process. Mission HR’s decision on eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference after reviewing all required documentation is final.

** This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP.

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA:

1. Management will consider when determining successful candidacy: nepotism, conflicts of interest, budget, and residency status.
2. Current OR employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply. Current OR employees with an Overall Summary rating of Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory on their most recent Employee Performance report (EPR) are not eligible to apply.
3. Current NOR employees hired on a Family Member Employment (FMA) or a Personal Service Agreement (PSA) are not eligible to apply within the first 90 calendar days of their employment, unless they have a When Actually Employed (WAE) work schedule.
4. The candidate must be able to obtain the local security certification.

HOW TO APPLY: 

Effective immediately only online applications will be accepted viaDarRecruitment@state.gov

When sending an online application, please indicate the position title in the subject line.

IMPORTANT: Applicants MUST submit the following documents to be considered:

1. Universal Application for Employment (UAE) (Form Ds-174), which is available on our website.
2. Any additional documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. resume, transcripts, degrees, etc.)
3. Copy of Passport, or, National ID, or Resident/Work Permit.

Applicants MUST follow instructions in the notice on the website.

Failure to do so will result in an incomplete application.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age(below compulsory retirement age), disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. The Department of State also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs. The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.

Appendix A – DEFINITIONS

Eligible Family Member (EFM): An EFM for employment purposes is defined an individual who meets all of the following criteria:

1. U.S. Citizen or not a U.S. Citizen; and
2. Spouse or same-sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610); or
3. Child, who is unmarried and under 21 years of age or, regardless of age, is incapable of self-support. The term “child” shall include, in addition to natural offspring, stepchild, adopted child, and a child under legal guardianship of employee, spouse, or same-sex domestic partner when such child is expected to be under legal guardianship until 21 years of age and when dependent upon and normally residing with the guardian; or
4. Parent (including stepparents and legally adoptive parents) of employee, spouse, or same-sex domestic partner, when such parent is at least 51 percent dependent on the employee for support; or
5. Sister or brother (including stepsisters and stepbrothers, or adoptive sisters or brothers) of the employee, spouse, or same-sex domestic partner when such sibling is at least 51 percent dependent on the employee for support, unmarried, and under 21 years of age, or regardless of age, incapable of self-support; and
6. Listed on the travel orders or approved Form OF-126 of a sponsoring employee, i.e., a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member who is permanently assigned to or stationed abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and
7. Is under chief of mission authority.

U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM): A USEFM is an individual who meets all of the following criteria:

1. U.S. Citizen; and
2. Spouse or same-sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610) of the sponsoring employee; or
3. Child of the sponsoring employee who is unmarried and at least 18 years old; and
4. Listed on the travel orders or approved Form OF-126 of a sponsoring employee, i.e., a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member who is permanently assigned to or stationed abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and resides at the sponsoring employee’s post of assignment abroad, or as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and is under chief of mission authority; or
5. resides at an Involuntary Separate Maintenance Allowance (ISMA) location authorized under 3 FAM 3232.2; or
6. Currently receives a U.S. Government retirement annuity or pension from a career in the U.S. Foreign Service or Civil Service.

Appointment Eligible Family Member (AEFM): An AEFM is an individual who meets all of the following criteria:

• U.S. Citizen; and
• Spouse or same-sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610) of the sponsoring employee; or
• Child of the sponsoring employee who is unmarried and at least 18 years old; and
• Listed on the travel orders or approved Form OF-126 of a sponsoring employee, i.e., a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member who is permanently assigned to or stationed abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT); and
• Is under chief of mission authority; and
• Is residing at the sponsoring employee's post of assignment abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and
• Does NOT currently receive a U.S. Government retirement annuity or pension from a career in the U.S. Foreign Service or Civil Service.

Member of Household (MOH) : A MOH is an individual who meets all of the following criteria.

• A MOH is someone who accompanies or joins a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member permanently assigned to or stationed abroad or, as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and
• A MOH must be officially declared to the COM by the sponsoring employee as part of his/her household; and
• A MOH is under COM authority;
• A MOH may include a parent, unmarried partner, other relative, or adult child;
• A MOH may or may not be a U.S. Citizen;
• A MOH is not an EFM;
• A MOH is not listed on the travel orders or approved Form F-126 of a sponsoring employee.

Not Ordinarily Resident (NOR) – An individual who meets the following criteria:

• An EFM, USEFM or AEFM of a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member permanently assigned or stationed abroad, or as appropriate, at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; or
• Has diplomatic privileges and immunities; and
• Is eligible for compensation under the FS or GS salary schedule; and
• Has a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN); and
• Is not a citizen of the host country; and
• Does not ordinarily reside in the host country; and
• is not subject to host country employment and tax laws.

Ordinarily Resident (OR) – An individual who meets the following criteria:

• A citizen of the host country; or
• A non-citizen of the host country (including a U.S. citizen or a third-country national) who is locally resident and has legal and/or permanent resident status within the host country and/or who is a holder of a non-diplomatic visa/work and/or residency permit; and/or
• Is subject to host country employment and tax laws.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted