Description
The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our unique organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
The Operations and Management Directorate (OMD) provides corporate services to all SPC Divisions and Programmes. It consists of three key departments: Finance, Human Resources and Information Services. OMD is focused on improving the effectiveness of systems, policies and management to provide high-quality customer-oriented services.
The role – the Procurement and Grants Adviser (Health Procurement Specialist) will lead and manage procurement and grant activities, especially those with a focus on public health procurement, including sourcing of goods, and development of requirements; provide accurate, expert and specialist advice on procurement activities; and ensure compliance with organisational policies.
The key responsibilities of the role include the following:
Operations: procurement and grants
- Manage the procurement and grants actions for the Public Health division (PHD), including Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Quotations (RFQs,) Calls for Proposals (CFP) and exceptions requests in accordance with SPC’s Procurement Policy and Grants Policy.
- For other allocated divisions or programmes manage the RFP or CFP processes, and provide advice on RFQs and other procurement and grants processes
- Prepare procurement documents for Requests for Proposals (RFP) and Requests for Quotations, including the technical statement of needs for specialized health materials
- Source and manage the supply chain for specialized health materials
- Provide support to all PHD programs/projects (and any other allocated divisions) with the formulation of their annual procurement plans, and development of their procurement and grants documentation
- External relationships with vendors, including preferred suppliers, are manage
Advice
- Provide expert advice to PHD staff and other allocated SPC divisions on procurement and grants processes, including appropriate use of exceptions
- Advice to decision-makers (including the Procurement Committee) on complex procurement and grants issues taking into account stakeholder’s requirements to ensure value outcomes
- Advice provided to decision-makers on how to manage ethical issues; integrity demonstrated.
- Risks identified, mitigated and/or escalated
Outreach, education and training
- Provide capacity building to SPC staff in procurement and grants functions
- Provide capacity development support to potential grant applicants (where relevant)
- Builds collaborative relationships with staff across OMD and SPC.
- Ensure communication with key stakeholders and builds strong relationships
System and processes
- Provide capacity building to SPC staff in procurement and grants functions
- Provide capacity development support to potential grant applicants (where relevant)
- Builds collaborative relationships with staff across OMD and SPC.
- Ensure communication with key stakeholders and builds strong relationships
Other duties as required
- support for the Procurement and Grants Team
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
Qualifications
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a related field (or equivalent experience)
- CIPS Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Procurement and Supply Operations (or equivalent experience)
Knowledge and experience
- At least 7 years of experience leading a team providing advice on procurement matters in a public sector environment, including at least 2 years of specialized experience in procuring, sourcing and managing procurement in the health sector
- Experience in procurement sourcing and supply management, including providing advice and support
Essential skills
- Research and analysis skills
- Ability to influence decision-making through advice and support
- Customer relationship management skills
- Excellent teamwork and collaboration skills
- Negotiation and planning skills
Language skills
- Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with a working knowledge of French being an advantage
Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness
- Strong people skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural, inclusive and equitable environment
- Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage
Salary, terms and conditions
Contract Duration – 3 years – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance. Due to the current travel restrictions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the priority SPC places on its staff safety, health and well-being, please note that there may be delays in taking up the appointment. These matters will be discussed thoroughly with successful candidates. In most cases, any appointment and on-boarding would only commence when relocation to the duty station is permitted.
Remuneration – the Procurement and Grants Adviser (Health Procurement Specialist) is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2022 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,512‒3,140 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 7,410–9,263 (USD 3,592–4,490; EUR 3,014–3,768). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax.
**Benefits for international employees based in Fiji –**SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,350–3,000 per month. Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution).
Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.
Recruitment principles – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilinguism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals. If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will begiven to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.
How to apply
Application procedure
Closing date: 13 July 2022 – 11:59 pm (Fiji time)
Job Reference: CB000309
Applicants must apply online at http://careers.spc.int/
Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.
For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:
- an updated resume with contact details for three professional referees
- a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
- responses to all screening questions
Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage if all the above documents are not provided. Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference.
Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.
Screening questions (in 400 words or less, with a maximum of 2,000 characters per question):
- Describe your experience in managing a health-related procurement function.
- What do you consider would be the main challenges facing the procurement and grants functions for an intergovernmental organisation such as SPC when undertaking international procurement on behalf of its member countries in the region?
- SPC is diverse, multinational and multicultural organisation, describe your experience working in a multinational and multicultural environment.
- Explain why a procurement plan is an important tool for all stakeholders in a procurement process.
- Describe how would you provide procurement support to a colleague who is very specialised in a technical or scientific area but has limited operational knowledge on how to undertake an international procuremen