Procurement Specialist At WorldFish Center

Position: Procurement Specialist

Location: Penang (Malaysia-HQ)

Application Deadline: 23 November 2021

Type of contract: 3 years fixed-term contract

Language(s) required: English (native/fluent writing and oral skills)

ABOUT WORLDFISH

WorldFish is an international, non-for-profit research organization that works to reduce hunger, malnutrition and poverty by improving fisheries and aquaculture. With a 45-years track record of leading-edge science, WorldFish generates research evidence and innovations to inform sustainable practices and inclusive policies that enable better livelihoods and healthier diets for millions of poor people, particularly women, who depend on fish for food, nutrition and income. WorldFish is a member of CGIAR, the world’s largest global partnership on agriculture research and innovation for a food secure future. Headquartered in Penang, Malaysia and with regional offices across Africa, Asia and the Pacific, WorldFish leads the cross-disciplinary CGIAR Research Program (CRP) on Fish Agri-Food Systems (FISH).

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Procurement Specialist is a key role and holds overall responsibility in the procurement of goods and services at WorldFish. The successful candidate will be highly driven, with a pro-active and autonomous approach to their work. The incumbent will be required to work closely with global procurement lead, in country research & project leads, finance leads and other stakeholders, to ensure timely sourcing of goods and services that offer the best value for money in accordance with WorldFish’s procurement policy and procedures. He/she will be expected to work in Penang, Malaysia and manage the procurement process efficiently and effectively.

Key Responsibilities

• The Procurement Specialist will be responsible for HQ and support country offices procurement activities with the purchasing of goods and services in accordance with WorldFish policies, donor regulations and the enforcement of procurement control via implementation of all relevant procurement processes and methods.
• To provide guidance and support on procurement activities to colleagues in Country Offices (CO) especially in system related tasks, and to take lead and assist CO colleagues in trouble shooting procurement issues.
• Manage the entire procurement process which includes but not limited to the followings; preparing RFQs, obtain quotations, make evaluations, recommend suppliers, liaising with procurement committee, issuing purchase orders, delivery follow-up, and inventory management and prepare contracts.
• Provide technical advice and collaborates with various departments, notably in procurement planning, defining procurement needs & strategies, analyzing and evaluating of various factors affecting price, technical specifications, implementation schedules and methodology in management & maintenance.
• Establish and manage relationships with suppliers including registration, due diligence checks, soliciting and negotiating quotes, maintaining continuous communication with suppliers.
• Track saving costs through better negotiations with suppliers and finding alternative suppliers.
• Work closely with procurement lead for generating and providing procurement information, statistics, reports and assist in procurement operation process improvements, systems development and implementation.
• Maintain filing records for audit trail purposes in “One Drive” as per the HQ Procurement record management guidelines.
• To lead in Procurement operation process improvements, systems development and implementation.
• Manage subordinate(s) for continuous job and career development.
• Perform other duties as may be required from time to time.

Requirements

This job might be for you if you have the below skills and qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Logistics, Finance, Procurement, CIPS Level 6 qualifications.
• 5 years’ experience as a Buyer, preferably in fisheries, laboratory and scientific goods and services.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in the English language.
• Working knowledge of ERP system, procurement systems and Microsoft Office suite.
• Ability to deal with sensitive and confidential correspondences matters from time to time.
• Ability to work on own initiative and deadlines, produce accurate and detailed reports, have good organizational and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of procurement practices and procedures, standard office procedures, services contract regulations and tender bid process.
• Demonstrated experience and high level of competence in the use of relevant IT applications, including Microsoft Office; must be able to produce detailed reports and data analytic. In particular, experience of working with spreadsheets and other analytical tools.

Desired Skills and Qualifications

• Some experience in the procurement of laboratory and scientific related goods and services.
• Experience working in a donor funded organization.

Salary & Benefits

This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position and WorldFish offers a competitive remuneration package including (but not limited to) insurance coverage for staff and eligible dependents, 15% employer provident fund contribution, paid leave and others.

Our Offer

The position will be based in Penang, Malaysia. Interviews are expected to be held by end of November 2021. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and expected to attend the virtual interview session. The successful candidate should be available to commence as soon as possible for an initial of three (3) years fixed-term contract, with the possibility of contract renewal depending on performance and funding situation.