Procurement Specialist

The Procurement Team in ECA Region works with client countries on procurement reform and policy and strategy development. Many of these engagements are based on insights from data analytics. Many countries in the region have e-procurement, contract management, and payment systems that provide the data necessary to work on big data analytics applied to procurement. The Kazakhstan portfolio has seven active projects ($3.8 billion) and five new projects in the pipeline in different sectors($1.5billion). In addition, the Government of Kazakhstan is in active stage of adopting ambitious procurement reforms to improve competition and transparency in the public and quasi-public sectors. In this context, the ECA procurement team seeks to recruit/appoint a highly organized, energized, and experienced professional, capable of operating effectively in Kazakhstan, and if needed in other countries of ECA. 

Scope of Work:

• Supporting clients in achieving value for money (VFM) in public procurement to enhance service delivery and development outcomes with integrity.
• Working under the guidance of the assigned Procurement Team Leader on procurement matters in specific sectors in the performance of the Bank’s fiduciary and service functions, seeking guidance on complex projects/issues from senior procurement staff.
• Providing technical fiduciary advice on procurement activities and engages in policy dialogue to strengthen procurement systems under the guidance of PTL.
• Working across countries/sectors, and is responsible for reviewing and handling the technical, commercial, and legal aspects of procurement (in consultation with PTL as necessary) at all stages of the project cycle, including analysis of systemic and other procurement issues, risk assessment, procurement strategy development, procurement planning, design, implementation and management, and training.
• Providing operational advice to clients and Bank staff on concepts, policies, and procedures for international and local procurement.
• Participating in missions to support the Procurement Specialist of the project; assesses procurement implications of project design, evaluates the institutional capacity of borrowers, updates project risk ratings in Procurement Risk Assessment and Management System (PRAMS), develops suitable action plans, provides input for Implementation Status Results (ISR) Reports and Implementation Completion (ICR) Reports.
• Participating in country procurement assessments, prepares background analysis, collaborates on developing appropriate public procurement legislation and practices, and tailors instruments to meet specific client needs.
• Negotiating and resolving difficult procurement issues with Borrower agencies and handles questions/complaints from government officials and bidders on bidding and contract award issues.
• Designing and conducting workshops of procurement training for the Bank staff and borrower agencies on the Bank’s philosophy and approach to procurement, the rationale of its policy framework, relevant procedures, and processes, as well as on specialized procurement topics and Systematic Tracking of Exchanges in Procurement (STEP).
• Preparing a range of procurement-related documents and reports.
• Handling appropriate interaction with country counterparts on the sector, organizational, human resources management, financial, economic, and regulatory practices.
• Providing support to Country Unit on procurement-related issues.
• The Procurement Specialist will be working under the oversight and mentorship of the Regional Accredited Practice Manager. The duty station is Astana, Kazakhstan.

Selection Criteria:
Basic Requirements:

• High level of integrity.
• Fluency in spoken and written English and Russian languages.
• Master’s degree with a major in a relevant discipline (e.g. business administration, engineering, commerce, law, procurement, public policy, etc.).
• Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and practices governing international procurement, with the ability to translate concepts into operational work, including but limited to VFM, sustainable procurement, strategic sourcing, market analysis, contract management, etc.
• Minimum of five (5) years of directly relevant experience in carrying out technical duties in procurement inside or outside the World Bank.
• Ability to deal sensitively in a multi-cultural environment and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues.

Specific Specialized Skills, Knowledge, and Competencies:

• Knowledge of institutions and procurement reforms in Borrower’s countries.
• Understanding of the World Bank’s business objectives, products, and project cycle.
• Understanding of political economy, public policy, public systems, and public management.
• Knowledge of procurement systems, practices, and agencies in Kazakhstan.
• Aptitude and exposure to procurement data analytics in the monitoring of public procurement performances, leading to evidence-based modernization of procurement policies and practices.
• Good understanding of risk management.
• Tolerance for peak workloads and tight deadlines and readiness to travel frequently when required.
• Excellent computer skills.

Source: https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=25681&site=1