Procurement Officer At DAI Global

Project Background:

The USAID Feed the Future Uganda Water and Food Systems (WFS) Activity is a five year activity (2023-2028) that aims to inclusively and equitably improve food and water security in the Kyoga Basin in northeastern Uganda, specifically three watersheds – Lokok, Awoja, and Lokere, by empowering individuals and communities to mitigate and adapt to shocks and stressors in order to improve livelihoods, maintain nutrition and health wellbeing, address drivers of conflict, and reduce reliance on humanitarian assistance. This area is home to nomadic pastoralists whose livelihoods are at risk due to violent cattle raiding and the effects of climate change (drought and flooding). This part of Uganda also suffers from fragmented markets, chronic underinvestment in public services, and a lack of private sector investment. This Activity is aligned with the Water and Development II (WADI II) scope to access critical technical services in support of the U.S. Government’s Global Water Strategy, Global Food Security and Strategy Refresh, Agency Climate Strategy, and the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience; and is a cornerstone of the USAID Uganda (2022) Country Development Cooperation Strategy Development Objective (DO) 2, Resilient Growth Enhanced. The activity aims therefore aims to achieve results under the following development objectives:

1. Improve water supply and integrated water resource management.
2. Increase equitable access to sanitation and hygiene services for households and schools.
3. Improved agriculture-based livelihoods.
4. Increased consumption of nutritious foods among women and children.
5. Expanded access to financial resources for women, men, youth, indigenous people, and marginalized groups.
6. Improve local capacity to manage shocks and stressors.

FtF WFS will enhance market systems, strengthen relevant institutions, expand access to climate-resilient services, and—in two of the most vulnerable of the 21 districts covered by the activity—employ “graduation” approaches to assist the ultra-poor. These initiatives will incorporate conflict sensitivity, local leadership, climate change adaptation, and approaches inclusive of women, youth, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and indigenous groups.

Role’s Purpose:

The procurement officer will provide support to the Procurement Manager and ensure all paperwork is accounted for and stored in the proper places. He/she will document procurements from start to finish, ensuring that the process was competitive, free, and open. He/she will collaborate with technical teams to ensure the project’s needs are taken into account throughout the procurement process.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure implementation of procurement strategies to optimize sourcing and supplier selection processes.
• Identify potential suppliers, conduct evaluations, and negotiate contracts and pricing terms.
• Manage vendor relationships and monitor performance to ensure compliance with contracts and quality standards.
• Support procurement engagement sessions with different internal departments and external vendors.
• Maintain accurate records of transactions, contracts, and vendor information in SharePoint.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements and liaise with procurement manager
  Provide assistance to procurement manager in database entry, procurement tracking, and reporting.
• Maintain integrity of procurement system and files in compliance with DAI practices and policies and USAID rules and regulations.
• Maintain procurement activity tracker and provide regular updates on status to the Procurement Manager.
• Review procurement documents in TAMIS as well as hard copy files to ensure all back up documents are included in compliance with the project Field Operations Manual, and revise/correct as required.
• Report accurate financial data to Procurement Manager on planned procurement activities.
• Assist in developing procurement plans in accordance with the work plan.
• Supervision and management of the procurement assistant.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of 6 years relevant experience in procurement, logistics, or related area
• Prior experience in USAID project procurement and/or DAI procurement systems a plus.
• Prior experience in INGO procurement function is desired.
• Professional proficiency in English is required, and proficiency in local languages is preferred.
• Membership to CIPS, IPPU or CILT is desired.

Skills

• Highly organized.
• Strong problem-solving skills as well as exceptional customer relations (both internally & externally).
• Strong commitment to ethics and completing compliant procurement procedures.
• Excellent communication written and oral communication skills.
• High levels of integrity and ability to work with minimal supervision.

Reporting

The Procurement Officer will report to the Procurement Manager.