Senior Procurement Specialist

Job #: req24813

Organization: World Bank

Sector: Procurement

Grade: GG

Term Duration: 4 years 0 months

Recruitment Type: International Recruitment

Location: Lima,Peru

Required Language(s): English/Spanish

Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 11/17/2023 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. Visit www.worldbank.org.

Background / General description:

Our institution is organized around global practices (GP) grouped in sectors. The Governance GP helps developing countries build capable, efficient, open, inclusive and accountable institutions that can support economic growth, reduce poverty, deliver needed services and earn the confidence of citizens. More information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/governance

Procurement: The Latin America and Caribbean Region (LAC) Procurement Unit (ELCRU) is part of the Global Governance Practice of the Bank which itself belongs to the Bank’s Economy, Finance Institutions Practice Group (EFI). ELCRU is under the authority of an Accredited Procurement Manager (APM) for LAC who directly reports to the EFI Director for the LAC region, although its unit serves all sectors of the Bank in the region.

The mission of the procurement unit in LAC (also called “PROLAC”) is essentially two-fold: (i) supervising all procurement operations carried by Borrowers and their implementing agencies in the 33 client-countries of the region and (ii) help Borrowers in their effort to reform their public procurement systems to achieve better value for money. The unit helps also to the dissemination and promotion of the overall agenda of the Bank, supporting the Bank in its advancement of public goods and its fight against poverty and for a shared prosperity.

The ELCRU unit is highly decentralized with staff in all the 6 Country Management Units (CMUs) of the region. ELCRU staff is also present in Washington DC, with the front office of the Procurement Manager and most of the staff serving the Caribbean. With a total of 37 staff, the ELCRU unit supervises a portfolio of more than 14 billion of dollars, ranging from infrastructure projects to vaccines. The Latin America Procurement Unit (ELCRU) seeks to recruit an international Senior Procurement Specialist for the Country Management Unit (CMU) covering the Andean Countries (Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador & Peru). The position is based in Lima (Peru) and provides support to the Bank operational portfolio for all these countries. The position also entails the institutional country dialogue with all national authorities having a role in public procurement.

Duties and Accountabilities:

– Lead and coordinate the work of procurement staff in the CMU in support of procurement operations, seeking guidance from the APM, as appropriate.

– Be the focal point for country institutional dialogue, contributing to the development of client country procurement systems of the respective countries.

– Contribute to the Bank’s efforts in promoting procurement reform, working in close collaboration with Governance sector colleagues and in professionalizing the function of procurement in the countries and beyond.

– Take the lead in handling complex procurement tasks and issues seeking to implement solutions to improve projects implementation.

– Plan and organize procurement capacity initiatives including contributing to a better professionalization of the procurement function in the region.

– Review and decide on some procurement tasks and activities on behalf of the Accredited Procurement Manager, as deemed appropriate.

– Responsible for supervising and reporting on technical, commercial and legal aspects of critical procurement operations, including reviewing of documents for further review by Senior Management.

– Disseminate and explain Bank procurement policy, providing guidance on the priorities and new developments of the policy.

– Handle questions/complaints from senior officials and contractors on bidding and award issues and report systematically to the APM, and to Senior Management, instances of allegations of fraud and corruption.

– Design and conduct workshops to educate procurement professionals in the Bank and in borrower agencies on the Bank’s philosophy and approach to procurement. As well as the rationale of its policy framework, relevant procedures and processes, and on specialized procurement topics.

Selection Criteria

* Master’s Degree or equivalent qualification relevant to this position.

* Minimum of 8 years relevant experience in carrying out technical duties in procurement and contract management in operations with an International Financial Institution, preferably a Multi-lateral Development Bank (MDB).

* State-of-the-art knowledge of international public procurement principles, concepts, and standards. Familiarity with OECD instruments, including MAPS (“Methodology for Assessment of Procurement Systems”), UNCITRAL model law, WTO Government Procurement Agreement.

* Ability to independently provide well researched analyses of complex procurement issues and problems.

* Knowledge and specialized command of all major facets of MDBs procurement policies and practices as applied across a wide range of lending operations at all phases of the project cycle, and ability to address broader issues at sector/country level.

* Excellent oral and written communications skills in English / Spanish, and able to prepare a variety of written outputs and editing technical reports in both languages.

* Good understanding of critical linkages and relationships among clients’ business drivers, business operations and objectives and Procurement processes.

* Excellent interpersonal skills, flexibility, and ability to work in teams in a multi-cultural environment and to lead a team of procurement professionals.

* Ability to deal sensitively and diplomatically with internal/external contacts at all levels; work independently, prioritizing work, taking initiative, and solving problems; adapt to changing business needs by continuous learning/training.

* Recognized ability to exercise good judgment and in handling confidential and sensitive information.

* Demonstrate ability to function under time pressure and handle multiple tasks in a fast- paced environment of changing priorities, with initiative and resourcefulness.

* Knowledge of technology skills, particularly in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.