Back Procurement Specialist

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The overall objective of Göksu Taşeli Watershed Development Project (GTWDP), is to reduce rural poverty by supporting economic diversification through value chain development and sustainable natural resource management. 

The Project targets to increase farmers’ income from improved agricultural production and marketing activities in the targeted area with strengthened resilience to climate shocks. The Project would also contribute to improving the standards of living of the nomadic Yörük tribes in the highlands of the Taurus Mountains, through capacity building that would assist them to organize for improved management of the common natural resources. The project outcomes would include:

i)          sustainably increased farm productivity;

ii)         higher product prices received by smallholder producers.

The GTWDP would be implemented in selected villages of 11 districts of Konya and Karaman provinces of Central Anatolia. These districts are located in the Göksu sub-catchment, one of the four in the East Mediterranean Watershed. The Project area includes 238 villages that are situated in the mountainous parts of the 11 districts where the elevation varies between 600 m and 1 800 m. Each component would focus on elements of the identified value chains (VCs).

The GTWDP would include three components namely:

i)          Agricultural Productivity and Natural Resource Management;

ii)         Market Access Enhancement; and

iii)        Project Management

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MOAF) has the overall responsibility for the management and the implementation of GTWDP. UNDP’s role is to support the project in dealing with flow of funds arrangement, recruitment of project staff, contracting of technical assistance, accounting, auditing and ensuring procurement of goods, civil works and services. The Project is co-funded and hence will be monitored, supervised and approved by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) (Financier).

Objectives of the Assignment

Under the supervision of LED Projects Coordinator and MoAF Surveys and Projects Department of General Directorate of Agrarian Reform and UNDP Procurement Unit, the Procurement Specialist, will be responsible for the planning and management of procurement activities as part of Project Implementation arrangements, in accordance with relevant UNDP, National and IFAD Procurement Guidelines, building capacities of other Project Implementing Partners or entities and all related documents and reports as requested.

The Procurement Specialist is responsible for implementing project activities in a timely manner according to the project plans, relevant project documents/mission reports and UNDP´s programme procedures and delivering high-quality outputs in a variety of project implementation processes. 

The Procurement Specialist works in close collaboration with MoAF Survey and Projects Department (SPD) of General Directorate of Agrarian Reform and the LED Projects Coordinator and Procurement Unit to ensure smooth and timely management of inputs as well as other Project staff and Portfolio Manager to coordinate activities and seek synergies.

The Procurement Specialist is expected to assume the following tasks:

Measurable Outputs

Key Results Expected/Major Functional Activities

1. Assisting and supporting of preparation of AWP&B.

• Preparing yearly procurement plans, weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly procurement evaluation reports
• Undertaking procurement activities as per the Annual Work Plan and Budgets (AWPB) and Procurement Plan, which provides the estimated costs and the basis for the procurement methods for each procurement item under the project

2. Conducting Procurement processes, developing procurement plans

• Reviewing in interaction with the project team, technical specifications for procurement of goods, works and services
• Preparing in collaboration with UNDP, bidding documents, tender notices, and invitations for bids, evaluation of bids, issuance of contracts

3. Ensuring effective administrative controls over procurement documentation

• Maintaining all the records relating to procurement
• Maintaining a separate record relating to complaints and their redressal

4.Conducting contract management

• Administering contracts to ensure compliance with the contracts’ conditions, payment terms.
• Ensuring implementation of agreed procurement arrangements

5. Providing support to beneficiaries and stakeholders

• Following up on IFAD “no-objections” and communicate them to UNDP on due time
• Updating and upgrade periodically the Procurement Plan in agreement with the Project team to reflect the needs and submit to IFAD for appropriate No-Objection
• Preparing procurement implementation reports in accordance with the reporting requirements of IFAD and the government
• Ensuring that the procurement capacity of the Department, beneficiaries, and service providers is developed. 

Reporting Structure

The Procurement Specialist reports to the LED Projects Coordinator.

Performance Indicators for Evaluation of Results (Expected Outputs)

• At least 85% of physical and financial delivery of the AWPB in areas of responsibility
• Preparing Project Procurement Plan which is achieved annually, periodically updated and submitted to IFAD for No objection
• Preparing Procurement Plan, which is used as a management tool, with activities carried out according to the plan, IFAD procurement requirements, and the provisions of the loan
• Preparing weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual procurement evaluation and procurement monitoring reports which are maintained and regularly submitted to MoAF
• A complete record of the procurement process and contract administration is maintained;
• A procurement training for non-procurement specialists designed to share good practices with the project team.
• Other related tasks assigned by MoAF.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
• Promotes vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Treats all people without favoritism.
• Avoids any kind of discriminatory behavior including gender discrimination and ensure that

- Human rights and gender equality are prioritized as an ethical principle within all actions

- Activities are designed and implemented in accordance with “Social and Environmental Standards of UNDP”

- Any kind of diversities based on ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, class, gender is respected within all implementations including data production

- Differentiated needs of women and men are considered

- Inclusive approach is reflected within all actions and implementations, in that sense an enabling and accessible setup in various senses such as disability gender language barrier is created

- Necessary arrangements to provide gender parity within all committees, meetings, trainings etc. introduced.

Functional Competencies:

• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Excellent interpersonal skills: encouraging colleagues to work within and respect an enabling gender equality environment on non-hierarchical bases
• Promotes gender sensitive environment in the office through leadership and personal example
• Ability to manage gender barriers and gender-blind behaviors within the project team and with our partners
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment with sound understanding and capability to empower and develop the capacity of national counterparts
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
• Team player, self-motivated and initiative taking, dedicated, creative, resourceful, flexible, energetic with sound judgment
• Capacity to work under pressure, manage stress and adapt to rapidly evolving situations 
• Excellent analytical, communication, writing and presentation skills
• Ability to function at both policy advisory and project implementation levels
• Ability to consider that men and women are affected differently from different interventions and needs to be approached differently.

Minimum Requirements

Assets

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Economics, Engineering, Finance, Public Administration and Law or any other related field

• Master’s degree in related discipline

Experience

• At least 5 years of active practical experience in procurement field

• Procurement experience in projects financed by an International Financial Institution (Such as UN, IFAD, World Bank, ADB etc.)
• Good knowledge of international organizations and national procurement regulations and procedures
• Attendance to internationally funded projects procurement trainings and previous procurement expert certificate  

Language Requirements

• Excellent knowledge of English and Turkish.

Professionalism

• Ability to communicate, negotiate, analyze, elaborate and present reports

• Ability of team spirit, good interpersonal and conflict management skills, integrity and confidentiality, interpersonal and time management skills

Computer Skills

• Literacy at Microsoft Office Programmes, Windows-based applications

Nationality

• Turkish

Notes:

(i) Internships (paid/unpaid) are not considered professional experience.

(ii) Obligatory military service is not considered professional experience.

(iii) Experience gained prior to completion of undergraduate studies is not considered professional experience.

Other considerations:

Interested individuals shall provide a letter of motivation as a part of their online application focusing on the applicant’s skills and capabilities against the required qualifications (in English).

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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Contract Duration: 6 months (possibility of renewal based on the satisfactory performance and availability of funding)