Director, Procurement and Grants at MCA-Zambia II

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn More We have started building our professional LinkedIn page. Follow MCA-Zambia II seeks to appoint a highly experienced procurement and grants executive as Director, Procurement and Grants. The Director, Procurement and Grants, leads the Procurement Unit and oversees the day-to-day management of the Compact’s procurement-related services. The Director ensures that all procurement and grant transactions are implemented in accordance with MCC guidelines, consolidates and keeps records of all procurement and grant activity, and reports on the progress of this activity. The Director manages the flow of procurement and grant activity, serves as the primary liaison between the Procurement Agent, MCA-Zambia II, MCC, and outside entities on all procurement activities, and facilitates smooth interplay between and among all elements of the procurement process. A key aspect of this responsibility involves managing the synchronisation of the substance and process elements of procurement activities. The Director also oversees the Grants Manager’s management of the implementation of grant activities. Key Duties and Responsibilities Lead the overall Procurement and Grants functions of MCA-Zambia II, including management of the Procurement Agent, and ensure sufficient support is provided to operational and programmatic functions in accordance with MCC’s Accountable Entity Procurement Policy and Guidelines and MCC Program Grant Guidelines. Guide, mentor, lead, and supervise the performance of the MCA-Zambia II Procurement team. Serve as the primary liaison between MCA-Zambia II, the Procurement Agent, MCC, and outside entities on all procurement and grant activities. Facilitate interconnected operations between and among all elements of the procurement and grant processes and synchronise substance and process elements within required timelines. Lead the review of solicitation documents, Procurement Plans, Contractor Past Performance Reporting System, and all other required documents prepared by the Procurement Agent; recommend necessary changes to ensure compliance with MCC guidelines and the procurement needs of MCA-Zambia II. Review the MCA-Zambia II’s Procurement Operations Manual prepared by the Procurement Agent and manage recommendations for necessary changes or improvements to ensure it responds to the operational reality of MCA-Zambia II. Ensure that the Procurement Agent acts consistently with the approved Procurement Operations Manual (POM). Monitor compliance by MCA-Zambia II and the Procurement Agent with all rules and procedures of MCC’s Accountable Entity Procurement Policy and Guidelines. Support Management and the CEO in maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of the procurement process. Lead the overall Procurement and Grants functions of MCA-Zambia II, including the management of Procurement Agent, and ensure that sufficient support is provided to the operational and programmatic functions of the Procurement Unit to strengthen its ability to deliver on the targets of Compact in accordance with MCC’s Accountable Entity Procurement Policy and Guidelines and MCC Program Grant Guidelines. Guide, mentor, lead and supervise the performance of the MCA-Zambia II Procurement team. Serve as the primary liaison between MCA-Zambia II, the Procurement Agent, MCC, and outside entities on all procurement and grant activities. Facilitate the interconnected operations between and among all elements of the procurement and grant processes and synchronize the substance and process elements of procurement and grant activities within required timelines. Lead the review of solicitation documents, Procurement Plans, Contractor Past Performance Reporting System and all other required documents prepared by the Procurement Agent and recommend any necessary changes or improvements to ensure they comply with the MCC Accountable Entity Procurement Policy and Guidelines and related guidance, and that they meet the procurement needs of MCA-Zambia II. Review the MCA-Zambia II’s Procurement Operations Manual prepared by the Procurement Agent and manage recommendations for necessary changes or improvements to ensure it responds to the operational reality of MCA-Zambia II. Ensure that the Procurement Agent acts consistently with the approved Procurement Operations Manual (POM). Monitor compliance by MCA-Zambia II and the Procurement Agent with all the rules and procedures of MCC’s Accountable Entity Procurement Policy and Guidelines. Support Management and the Chief Executive Officer of MCA-Zambia II in maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of the procurement process. Facilitate the preparation and submission to the Procurement Agent of necessary procurement documents by the technical staff of MCA-Zambia II. Analyze and manage MCA-Zambia II operational and programmatic needs and oversee the development of procurement and grant plans and budgets, which are consistent with the overall plans of the Compact and aligned to the needs of MCA-Zambia II. Develop and build out the Procurement Unit through recruitment and onboarding of staff and identifying and engaging technical resources (e.g., external consultants, MCC) to provide external advice and expertise aligned with the strategic needs of MCA-Zambia II. Ensure that the procurement team is adequately resourced throughout the life of the Compact. Develop and coordinate efforts to prevent incidents of fraud and corruption within MCA-Zambia II’s procurements and contract management processes and to conduct training for MCA-Zambia II staff to clarify procedures and strategies for this prevention. Represent MCA-Zambia II as the primary procurement liaison in implementing the Compact program, including identifying initial procurement needs, organizing procurement operations and reviewing reports, as necessary. Lead MCA-Zambia II’s efforts to ensure that all procurements are conducted in a manner consistent with MCC procurement requirements. Develop and implement policies and frameworks to ensure the high quality of procurement and grants documents and contract administration and grants administration documents throughout the life of the Compact and recommend any necessary changes or improvements to ensure it responds to the operational reality of MCA-Zambia II. Guide MCA-Zambia II procurement and program staff and implementing entities on MCC’s Accountable Entity Procurement Policy and Guidelines and reporting requirements to ensure compliance and transparency. Oversee the Grants Manager’s effective guidance and support to MCA-Zambia II staff and implementing entities on MCC Program Grant Guidelines and reporting requirements, ensuring compliance, accountability, and transparency. Work with MCA-Zambia II program staff to strategically plan and monitor all grants and procurements, including works contracts. Identify delayed procurements and grants and provide recommendations to recover delays and to improve planning. Ensure that the procurement and grants plan is regularly updated, MIS entries are timely and accurate, and data quality is maintained at a high standard; and conduct data analysis to support effective planning, monitoring, and decision-making. Oversee the quality of delivery of procurement and grants activities by reviewing procurement requests, the quality of goods, and related documentation to ensure compliance with approved work plans and MCC/MCA-Zambia II standards and requirements. Oversee and manage compliance of MCA-Zambia II’s and implementing entities’ procurement systems with MCC standards, proactively identify procurement-related risks and issues, and support internal and external audit and assurance processes. Review reports submitted by members of the Procurement Unit. Develop and implement the Bid Challenge System. Ensure implementation and adherence to MCC guidance on the reporting of contractor performance, the use of contractor past performance information in procurement, including training contract managers on their responsibility and advising MCA-Zambia II management and MCC on issues of non-compliance. Coordinate the functions of MCA-Zambia II and the Procurement Agent in implementing the Compact program, including identifying initial procurement needs and organizing procurement operations. Ensure the Procurement Agent consolidates and keeps records of all procurement activity and reports on the progress of the activity. Perform other tasks and responsibilities as requested by the Chief Executive Officer and/or Deputy CEO/Administration of MCA-Zambia II. University degree in Business Administration, Acquisition Management, Law, Contracting, Engineering, Procurement, or other relevant field. Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in the management of project(s) requiring procurement of goods, works, and services; managing or supervising a team of procurement professionals; and managing procurement operations supporting a multi-million-dollar project. At least five (5) years of leadership experience managing complex, donor-funded programmes and multidisciplinary teams. Technical and Leadership Competencies Strategic leadership and decision-making capabilities at executive level. Strong drafting and analytical skills in procurements of international standards, with familiarity and/or experience with international donor institutions’ procurement guidelines and procedures, particularly those of the World Bank, African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, and/or US Government. Experience managing procurements, grants, and/or contracts. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with domestic and international stakeholders and counterparts. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Master’s degree in a relevant discipline. Internationally recognised procurement qualification or certification (e.g., NIGP-CPP, CPPO, MCIPS, CPSM, CPSD) strongly desired. Proven track record managing procurement and/or grants of USG-funded projects. Experience collaborating with finance teams on budget tracking, pipeline analysis, and allowable costs.