The Procurement Team in Islamabad (PT) is supporting the procurement preparation and implementation of the projects in Pakistan, including preparation of new projects, procurement implementation, capacity building, national procurement system strengthening and capacity building in the project agencies. There is a country procurement team leader based in Islamabad.
Responsibilities:
The Senior Procurement Specialist will work as ADM APS for most projects in Sindh and some other projects as needed (e.g. projects in the infrastructure sector and PFM). This work covers the whole spectrum of project cycle including project preparation, implementation, completion, etc.
S/He should have strong knowledge of the context of Sindh Province and overall situation of Pakistan relating to project preparation and implementation.
S/He should have diplomatic skills to effectively support the project implementation agencies (usually lack capacity for procurement implementation) and advise the Bank’s task teams on complex procurement issues under these projects, as ADM APS of task teams.
The work will also involve support to project implementation agencies for performance improvements in procurement with due consideration of integrity of procurement processes, such as improvements to procurement processing procedures, improvements in contract management, capacity strengthening, etc.
He/she will be involved in Bank’s on-going public procurement engagements with the Pakistani Governments (e.g. strengthening the national/provincial public procurement systems, capacity building, professionalization etc.).
Together with the colleagues of the country procurement team, s/he will contribute to fiduciary and country procurement assessments, procurement reform, use of country systems, governance and anti-corruption activities.
S/He will coordinate with or develop partnerships, relationships, and working arrangements with international organizations (e.g. ADB, IsDB, AIIB), and/or the related government institutions to foster greater collaboration and impact of the Bank’s efforts.
Works independently under general direction of the APM and the team leader to deliver procurement services and ensure appropriate fiduciary and quality controls, and consistent application and interpretation of policy in making procurement decisions, provides advice to clients and the Bank task teams in handling complex procurement tasks and issues.
Supports the country dialogue in regard to reform and modernization of public procurement systems in Sindh and related provinces of Pakistan, to strengthen legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks and build procurement capacity, including e-procurement and data analytics, procurement certification/professionalization, system assessment, institutional capacity strengthening, etc.
Develops and promotes innovations under the Bank procurement policies to improve Bank project and sector work through the Bank financed projects.
Prepares and reviews procurement aspects of documents for the Bank’s operations, including Project Appraisal Documents, Legal Agreements, PPSD that requires procurement input or advice, and prepares a range of procurement-related documents and reports for projects.
Handles procurement cases up to the authorization of APS and reviews/prepares the cases subject to APM and Operations Policy Review Committee (OPRC) clearance. All the review and submission/response should be within the Bank’s required timeline and with high quality so as to avoid delays in procurement process.
Requirements:
Advanced degree with a major in a relevant discipline (e.g. Engineering, Law, Procurement, Finance, Business or Commerce) plus a minimum of 8 years of experience as a seasoned Procurement Specialist or responsibilities with a substantial content in the procurement area.
State-of-the-art knowledge of public procurement principles, systems, processes, planning, data analytics and approaches to international procurement with proven ability to independently provide well researched analyses of complex procurement issues and problems.
Excellent communication skills with ability to defend orally and in writing difficult issues and positions (in a challenging environment as necessary) to Bank management, government officials, etc.
High level of integrity and a sense of personal responsibility for achieving quality and timeliness in delivering the wrk program.
Strong team managerial and organizational skills, including proven track record of building and managing teams and creating an enabling work environment.
Demonstrated ability to effectively mentor/guide staff and clients and design training/skills enhancement initiatives to ensure effective transfer of knowledge/skills.
Ability to function effectively and deal sensitively in multi-cultural environments and build effective relationships with clients and colleagues.
Language requirements: Oral and written mastery of English is essential.
