National Procurement Specialist

Organizational Setting

The project “Building a Resilient Churia Region in Nepal” (BRCRN) was approved by the 24th meeting of the Board of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in November 2019, and is Nepal’s first full-size GCF project. FAO, as the nominated Accredited Entity (AE) for the project, is responsible to the GCF for implementation of the project and is also co-Executing Entity (EE) with the Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE) of the Government of Nepal (GoN). The BRCRN project is being implemented in 26 critical river systems in the southeast region of Nepal, covering parts of Koshi, Madhesh and Bagmati Provinces, linking the Churia hills and upper Terai, and aims to promote widespread adoption of climate-resilient land use practices, confront the challenges of deforestation and forest degradation, better maintain the forest ecosystem in the Churia hills, and build resilience to climate-induced hazards.

BRCRN carry out procurement activities through PMU, PPMUs and FAO TA. Procurement of goods, work and services will be undertaken as per annual workplan and budget adhering to the principles of transparency, sound financial management, equal treatment, non-discrimination and avoidance of conflict of interest. A procurement specialist is provisioned in the project to support FAO TA, PMU and PPMUs on procurement and financial matters.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of FAO Representative in Nepal and in close consultation with the Assistant FAOR (Programme and Administration) and the direct supervision of the FAO TA Project Manager and in close cooperation with National Project Director (NPD) under MoFE, National Consultant: Procurement Specialist will undertake the following tasks:

Technical Focus

•    General support including financial management.
•    Procurement Support

Tasks and responsibilities

Financial Management and Reporting

•    Assist the FAO TA Project Manager to draw up an annual work plan and budget (AWPB) that meets the requirements of GCF-FAO BRCRN project agreement and PIM.
•    Assist in preparing the shadow budgeting of the approved budget.
•    Orient and provide technical support to PMU and PPMUs on financial procedures, budget and expenditure monitoring and budget revision/re-allocation as needed.
•    Monitor budget and expenditure of FAO direct payment; prepare documents and advise for budget revision/reallocation as needed.
•    Prepare financial status report in Monthly/Quarterly/Six monthly and annual basis.
•    Prepare documents for fund replenishment request and provide support to PMU for fund request as per Operational Partner Agreement
•    Download the transaction listing from FAO FPMIS system and reconcile the expenditure with each project components, output, and activities.
•    Prepare financial report as per GCF format for quarterly, bi-annual and Annual Progress Reporting.
•    Undertake the assignment as directed by the FAO TA Project Manager

Procurement Support

•    Prepare Bi-annual and Annual procurement Plan (PP) for TA component in line with the FAA agreement and aligned with FAO policies and processes to meet the needs of the project.
•    Support in preparation of procurement plan of PMU/PPMUs aligning with the project agreement and PIM in coordination with PMU planning and monitoring officer, Account officer, procurement officer and NPD.
•    Assist PMU and PPMUs in preparing standard and subsequent bidding documents and undertaking the procurement process for major procurement packages and those with higher risks.
•    Ensure establishment and implementation of proper monitoring system and control of procurement processes including organization of EoI/RFQ, Tender/ITB or RFP, receipt and evaluation of quotations, bids or proposals and negotiation of certain conditions of contracts in full compliance with GCF Financing Agreement and GON acts, rules and regulations as applicable and adequacy of management of procurement contracts.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  

•    Advanced university degree in business administration, financial management and procurement or any other relevant fields
•    At least 10 years of work experience in public financial management and procurement, those of some in donor funded projects under the Government of Nepal
•    Minimum 3 years of experience in providing training to national staffs in financial management and procurement/contract management activities
•    Working knowledge of English and Nepali
•    National of Nepal

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Experience in public financial management and procurement, those of some in donor funded projects under the Government of Nepal.
•    Experience of developing PIM, Financial Management Manual, Procurement Management Manual is highly desired.
•    Experience in providing training to national staffs in financial management and procurement/contract management activities.
•    Experience working within the UN system/International Financing Institution in similar functional role in an international environment will be an advantage.
•    Experiences in project design, project appraisal, project supervision, mid-term review in forestry projects in Nepal will be assets.
•    Strong inter-personal skills and excellent oral communication skills.

Selection Criteria 

•    Extent of relevant technical experience in the related areas
•    Ability to manage and work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team
•    Experience with similar internationally funded development projects will be an added advantage

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION