Procurement Specialist at DAI Global LLC

DAI works at the cutting edge of international development, combining technical excellence, professional project management, and exceptional customer service to solve our clients’ most complex problems. Since 1970, DAI has worked in 150 developing and transition countries, providing comprehensive development solutions in areas including crisis mitigation and stability operations, democratic governance and public sector management, agriculture and agribusiness, private sector development and financial services, economics and trade, HIV/AIDS, avian influenza control, water and natural resources management, and energy and climate change. Clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and host-country governments.

Project Background:

The Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Program is a cross-ministry and multi-donor program to reduce stunting in Zambia. The National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC) implements SUN as part of the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) 1,000 Most Critical Days Program.  SUN 2.0, the second phase of the program, has three major components: (1) Pooled Multi-Donor SUN Fund, (2) SUN Technical Assistance (SUN TA), and (3) SUN Learning and Evaluation. Working in parallel with the SUN Fund, the USAID/Zambia SUN TA program will provide support and direct technical assistance to sub-national local government officials in target districts to plan, implement, coordinate, and monitor integrated nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific activities to significantly reduce the rate of stunting among Zambian children under two.

USAID has identified two main objectives that address stunting, including (1) Adequate Quantity and Quality of Dietary Intake among Target Groups; and (2) Adequate Health Conditions for Biological Utilization of Nutrients. SUN TA interventions will increase access and availability of safe, diverse, nutritious food; adoption of better child feeding habits and household hygiene practices; and access to improved health, water and sanitation services. The project will prioritize sustainability by improving intra-household joint decision making and building capacity of local government and their stakeholders to ensure coordination, accountability, and learning, following the Scaling Up Nutrition model.

Location: Lusaka, Zambia, with frequent in-country travel to provincial program offices

Objective:

The Procurement Specialist will assume responsibility for coordination of procurement solicitations, reviews, and awards in support of project activities and operations in Lusaka and in the field offices, where this role will work in conjunction with provincial Grants/Procurement Officers. He/She will play a pivotal role in ensuring integrity, fairness, and openness in all procurement processes, as well as adherence to policies, procedures, and controls. This position requires relevant work experience in the field of procurement across a variety of industry sectors, as well as demonstrated knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), and USAID rules and regulations regarding grants (ADS) and procurement (AIDAR).

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Oversee solicitation bids and quotes from vendors in adherence with policies and approved requisitions and project procurement plans
• Monitor, track, and expedite project procurement activities and delivery status of goods and services
• Ensure pricing information is accurate and aligns with acquisition policies
• Conduct price/cost reasonability analyses and market research
• Review requisition documentation, cost estimates, statements of work, etc.
• Assist technical and other non-procurement staff in understanding the requirements for submitting accurate and thorough requisitions, cost estimates, statements of work, or to determine other technical specifications
• Determine source selection methods for complex procurements
• Support project staff in coordinating meetings, facilitating discussions, and developing briefings in support of the source selection process
• 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 per DAI and USAID procurement policies
• Ensure that complete procurement-related backup documentation is maintained and submitted for payments, and that all files are audited in support of closeout procedures
• Develop project acquisition planning reports and present to Senior Management on a quarterly basis or as required
• Participate in activity planning to prepare for required procurements
• Conduct frequent coordination visits to field offices for documentation review, trainings, and coordination
• Other duties as may be assigned by the Finance and Administration Director for successful achievement of procurement objectives

Reporting and Supervision:

The Procurement Specialist directly reports to the Director of Finance and Administration and coordinates closely with the field office-based Procurement and Grants Officers.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 6+ years of experience administering procurements on a donor assistance program; experience with USAID programming preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge of USAID procurement regulations and policies, and compliance
• Strong communications skills and ability to negotiate effectively
• Proven problem-solving skills and exceptional customer relations when dealing with both internal and external parties
• Well organized and self-directed individual with sound technical skills, analytical ability, good judgement, high ethical standards, and operational focus
• Fluency in English is required