PROCUREMENT ASSISTANT

The Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) is a not-for-profit sub-regional organization of the National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs) of ten countries: Burundi, D.R. Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. ASARECA's mission is promoting economic growth, fighting poverty, reducing hunger and enhancing resources through regional collective action in agricultural research for development. It aims at increasing the efficiency of agricultural research in the region so as to enhance productivity, value added and competitiveness of the regional agricultural system We are currently recruiting for the following 2 positions at the Secretariat.
POSITION 003/11 -PROCUREMENT ASSISTANT
We are seeking to recruit for a Procurement Assistant. The Procurement Assistant, working closely with the Head of Procurement will assist among other tasks in day to day procurement procedures as per the procurement plan. The job holder will, inter alia:
• Assist the head of procurement in managing procurement of goods, works and services in accordance with the ASARECA Operational manual in an efficient manner, to achieve value for money under the Programmes and other support units Attend to complaints and disputes of service providers according laid down procedures in the operational manual. Assist in managing all disposal activities in accordance with ASARECA operational manual.
• Assist user departments and sub grantees to initiate, prepare and update procurement plans in consultation with the Procurement Unit.
• Provide guidance and/or coordination of collection of inputs for preparing terms of reference and schedules of requirements specifications
• Prepare requests for quotations, proposals and other bidding documents.
• Assist in coordination and/or administration of the preparation and issuance of solicitation/bidding documents, advertisements of bid opportunities, issuing bid documents to the prospective bidders and receiving bids, public bid opening as well as providing clarifications where necessary
• Assist in coordination of the bidding process and presentation of Bid/Proposal Evaluation Reports and Award Recommendations in accordance with the ASARECA operational manual. Facilitate procurement reviews as may be required by the World Bank in the course of project implementation.

Other terms and conditions for both positions
You should also have the following skills; excellent planning and coordination, analytical and problem solving, writing, basic financial management, communication, representation and presentation. Must be computer savvy specifically in MS Office suite of packages and especially versatility with Microsoft office Excel
Duration
This contract will be initially for a period of twelve months, renewable subject to annual performance review and availability of funding.
Remuneration and other Benefits
The remuneration package is comparable to those offered by similar organisations and includes a competitive salary, medical insurance for self and family, allowances as well as an excellent support for career progression.

Job requirement

Qualifications and Experience
The person will have a University degree in business studies,
Procurement, Logistics, or other related field with a post graduate training in procurement at CIPS level or equivalent. You should have a minimum of 3 years experience in executing procurement activities and a good understanding of the public procurement laws. Specific experience in a World Bank funded project will be distinctive advantage.

How to apply

Method of Application
Applicants should send an application letter clearly demonstrating their suitability in meeting the qualifications, experience and the required competencies. A copy of an up-to-date curriculum vitae and names of three referees and their complete addresses - postal, telephone, fax and e-mail. Deadline for receiving applications will be 15 May 2011 and should be, addressed to:

The Head of HR& Administration
ASARECA. Plot 5, Mpigi Road,
PO Box 765, Entebbe, Uganda.
Tel: 256-41-320212 or 320556 or 321389
Fax:256-41-321126
Email: HR@ASARECA.ORG

Applications on email should have the title of the position applied for on the subject line.

ASARECA IS COMMITTED TO GENDER MAINSTREAMING.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT US, VISIT HTTP://WWW.ASARECA.ORG