USAID ERA looking for Prоcurement Officer

The USAID Ukraine Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) implemented by DAI Global LLC. was designed to strengthen the economy and improve the resilience of businesses and communities in eastern Ukraine following Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and the seizure of territory in the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts by Russian backed separatists.

The further Economic Resilience Activity’s work will be centered on three pillars:

1. Stabilization and Inclusion: building the capabilities of vulnerable populations to be able to capitalize on entrepreneurial and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) economic opportunities;
2. Business Revival: helping MSMEs relocate and rebuild marketing and supply chains; and
3. New Economy: working with coalitions and leaders to build confidence in the sustainable Ukrainian state, articulate a vision for the future, and put in place the building blocks for a modern, diverse, and MSME-friendly economy post-war. 

ERA is looking for the Procurement/Railway Logistics Officer to develop and execute ERA strategic railway transportation initiatives consistent with ERA goals, procedures, and policies. This position is focused on obtaining maximum value for USAID ERA by developing and procuring optimal and sustainable solutions to meet cost, quality and service targets as defined and aligned with our procurement, supply chain, and partners and stakeholders.

About the job 

The Procurement Officer will help USAUD ERA by developing and procuring optimal and sustainable solutions to meet cost, quality and service targets as defined and aligned with our procurement, supply chain, and partners and stakeholders. The Procurement Officer plays a pivotal role in ensuring integrity, fairness, and openness in procurement processes as well as adherence to policies, procedures, and controls. One of core responsibilities of this position is to oversee and conduct the procurement of goods and services. The position requires relevant work experience in the field of large-scale procurements of sophisticated equipment and contracting, contract management, dispute resolution, managing interpersonal relationships and communication, and investigating/following up on vendor issues. The Procurement Officer will be responsible for overseeing and ensuring that complete procurement-related backup documentation is provided prior to submission to the Finance Team. The Procurement Officer reports to the Procurement Manager. This role requires remote mode of work. 

 Your main duties and responsibilities will be: 

• Liaise with Program staff to ensure any requirements for procurement support are identified approved and procured in a timely, well-documented and cost-efficient manner. Implement an annual planning process to streamline repetitive procurement of goods to increase competitive tendering and internal processes
• Monitor and track procurement activities and delivery status of goods/services.
• Ensure complete backup documentation for procurement purchases is submitted to Procurement Manager and Finance Team
• Perform regular spot audits of procurement files to ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance
• Participate in external or internal audits as necessary
• Ensure integrity, fairness, accuracy, and openness in procurement processes
• Ensure DAI/USAID and FAR policies, and procedures are followed and enforced
• Enforce use of DAI’s operations & procurement system (TAMIS), etc.
• Maintain electronic procurement records & files in various DAI system platforms
• Manage solicitation bids and quotes from vendors in adherence with policies & approved requisitions and quarterly procurement plans
• Oversee, monitor, track and expedite all project procurement activities and delivery status of goods/services
• Ensure pricing information is accurate and aligns with acquisition policies
• Conduct price/cost/reasonability analyses
• Review requisition documentation, cost estimates, statements of work, etc.
• Help non-procurement staff understand the requirements for submitting accurate and thorough requisitions, cost estimates, statements of work, or determine other technical specifications
• Determine source selection methods for complex procurement to ensure compliance
• Prepare cost evaluation data, and source selection documentation.
• Through market research efforts, identify and qualify potential suppliers (and products/services)
• Ensure that beneficial, ethical, and open supplier relationships are created and maintained according to procurement policies
• Maintain procurement file system in DAI’s system
• Help maintain an up-to-date list of providers by obtaining and organizing supporting documentation on activities
• Effectively serve as a liaison between the program team and the financial team to provide the documentation necessary to issue the payments related to the activities.

 About you 

Required

• BA or Specialist degree or equivalent in Logistics, Management, Economics.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in logistics and/or procurement.
• Experience proactively engaging internal and external partners to identify and define potential opportunities and issues.
• Excellent communications and personnel management skills and ability to relate to people at all levels of an organization and of different multi-cultural backgrounds.
• Well-organized and self-directed individual with sound technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational focus. Excellent organizational skills with a willingness to take initiative and be proactive.
• Proven integrity and ability to adhere to the rules, honor commitments, and meet the spirit as well as the letter of those commitments, stand up for what is right.
• Strong time management skills, capability to manage time effectively and maintain control of all current project responsibilities, follow-up requests in a timely manner.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple responsibilities and respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints; experience with enterprise accounting software, and Microsoft office suite; demonstrated knowledge of internal controls and processes.
• Fluent in English and Ukrainian are mandatory, both written & spoken.

 Desirable

• Experience in procurement of equipment for transshipment of agricultural products may be an asset.
• Strong knowledge of grain and bulk cargo export procedures may be an asset.
• Strong knowledge of multi-modal transportation (truckload, intermodal, railcar, less-than-truckload) market including suppliers, industry information and key cost drivers may be an asset.
• Experience with USAID-funded projects is preferable.

In this position, you are expected to share the DAI’s four core values:

• Integrity: commit to civil and ethical behavior, play by the rules, and do the right thing;
• Responsibility: Be accountable to clients, partners, grant recipients, beneficiaries, colleagues, and communities where we work. If you fall short, you own up, fix the problem, and get it right the next time;
• Excellence: adhere to the highest technical and professional standards in innovation, learning, and service;
• Global Citizenship: respect cultural diversity and treat everyone everywhere with professionalism and dignity to make the world a better place. 

We offer:

Contract length: 12 months with possible extension

Designation of Duty Location: remote work

Start date: March 1, 2023 

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with USAID ERA Terms of Employment and the Ukrainian Labor Code.

Application process

All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English to [email protected]. Only selected candidates with relevant experience will be contacted for an interview.

Closing date for applications: February 3, 2023.

For further information about the USAID ERA implemented by DAI Global LLC, please consult our website: https://era-ukraine.org.ua/.