Procurement Specialist

Description

Do you want to build a genuinely worthwhile career? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their most significant 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.

EAP is a large and diverse region, ranging from the Small Island Developing States of the Pacific to Indonesia, The Philippines, and China. Despite substantial economic growth and poverty reduction, the EAP region faces significant development challenges. Growth and poverty reduction have been uneven across and within countries, institutional development needs strengthening, and most countries are having to adapt to climate change. The Bank plays a significant role in infrastructure, water, agriculture, education, health and private sector development. Fragmentation in international trade, and increasingly, population aging, are compounding the impact of the global economic slowdown. The World Bank Group is seen as a premier development institution in the Region, with a leadership role in Operations and in analytical and advisory services.

East Asia and the Pacific Region: https://www.worldbank.org/ext/en/region/eap

The Governance Global Practice (GFP) comprises various professional fields working on public institutions, including procurement, public sector management, governance and anti-corruption, and financial management. GFP convenes a leading group of practitioners focused on advancing pioneering practices and innovations in procurement, anti-corruption, and open government. To enhance its capacity, we seek to recruit a highly organized, energized, and experienced professional capable of operating effectively in Fiji, Suva, and supporting the Pacific Island Countries as required.

The East Asia and Pacific (EAP) procurement team, comprising 38 staff, Extended and short-term consultants, operates through a decentralized structure based in seven country offices. The team supports 250 active World Bank-financed operations across the region, with a total commitment of $32.6 billion. The Pacific Islands and Papua New Guinea include two country offices, EAPF1 & EAPF2.

The EAPF1 covers the South Pacific (Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu) and the North Pacific (Federated States of Micronesia and Marshal Islands) with a growing portfolioof 47 projects with a total commitment of $1.69 billion in energy, transport resilience (roads and aviation), agriculture value chains, health systems and pandemic response, labor mobility; selective DPF engagements and disaster/climate policy reforms. The team is managed by an Accredited Practice Manager. The Procurement Specialist (PS) will be working under the oversight and guidance of the Accredited Practice Manager (APM) for EEAR1, based in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Position

The World Bank is seeking an experienced professional for the position of Procurement Specialist, focusing on EAPF1. Reporting to the Accredited Practice Manager for EEAR1 based in Bangkok, Thailand, the selected candidate will play a lead role in the following:

• Supporting and further developing EEAR1’s procurement work program, with a focus on building good governance practices, introducing new and modern procurement approaches, and ensuring effective project delivery in borrower countries.
• Participating in and contributing to the Department’s operational, analytical, and advisory activities, leveraging extensive experience working with MIC, Small States, FCV and IDA countries.
• Applying advanced procurement practices and technology solutions to drive impactful results, especially in complex and challenging environments.
• Engaging diplomatically and effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including government counterparts, multilateral and bilateral institutions, and internal Bank teams.

Duties and responsibilities

World Bank Procurement can make a critical difference in developing EAP borrower countries by building good governance practices, introducing borrowers to new/modern procurement practices, and ensuring effective project delivery. S/he also supports overall operational work in EAP1F. The PS will participate and play a vital role in the Department's operational, analytical, and advisory activities. This requires substantial knowledge of economic and public-sector governance issues, extensive operational experience working with MIC, Small States, FCV and IDA countries, and with considerable knowledge of and a track record of applying modern procurement practices. The PS should also have diplomacy skills to effectively engage with the many stakeholders inside and outside the Bank and have demonstrated the ability to work effectively with counterparts in government and multilateral and bilateral institutions. The person is also expected to establish and maintain good working relationships with various international and national partner organizations (academia, civil society groups, and local research centers.)

The selected candidate will undertake the following tasks:

• Works under the general direction of the Procurement Practice Manager (PPM). Provides procurement support to task teams and clients, ensuring appropriate fiduciary and quality controls and consistent application of the World Bank Procurement Regulations in day-to-day procurement decisions. Contributes to the implementation of procurement activities across the assigned portfolio and provides advice to clients and colleagues on operational procurement matters.
• Applies and supports the implementation of Bank procurement policies and procedures. Assists task teams and clients in understanding and applying the World Bank Procurement Framework, including use of Standard Procurement Documents and relevant guidance. Contributes to the adoption of good procurement practices and supports the rollout of new procurement tools and features as needed.
• Supports client countries in achieving value for money (VFM) in project procurement. Provides operational advice to borrower implementing agencies to ensure compliance, efficiency, and integrity in procurement processes under Bank-financed projects. Contributes to dialogue on procurement performance and capacity strengthening within the context of project implementation.
• Contributes to efforts to strengthen procurement capacity within borrower entities. Participates in procurement system assessments and supports initiatives aimed at improving procurement practices, institutional capacity, and risk management at the project level, in coordination with Governance and other relevant colleagues.
• Reviews and provides quality assurance on procurement aspects of Bank-financed operations. Contributes to the preparation and review of procurement inputs for Project Appraisal Documents, Procurement Plans, Legal Agreements, Implementation Status Reports, and other operational documents. Prepares procurement-related documentation and reports and supports consistency of procurement approaches across the assigned portfolio.
• Participates in supervision and implementation support missions. Provides advice on procurement risk management and resolution of procurement issues, including handling of complaints, contract management matters, and post-review findings, under the guidance of senior colleagues where appropriate.
• Utilizes technology solutions and data tools such as the Systematic Tracking of Exchanges in Procurement (STEP) and procurement performance dashboards to monitor procurement progress, track key fiduciary indicators, and support portfolio management and reporting.
• Contributes to knowledge sharing and capacity building. Provides guidance to task teams and borrower counterparts on procurement processes and good practices and contributes to training activities and knowledge dissemination initiatives within the unit and with clients.

Selection Criteria

• Master's degree with a major in a relevant field (e.g., Engineering, Law, Procurement, Finance, Business, or Commerce) or equivalent academic and experiential qualifications relevant to this position.
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in procurement and contract management, preferably in the Pacific context and/or FCV small island states.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English, independently preparing a variety of written outputs and editing technical reports.
• Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and practices governing World Bank procurement, with the ability to translate concepts into operational work, including but not limited to VFM, sustainable procurement, strategic sourcing, market analysis, contract management, etc. Experience preferred in the Pacific context or small island states.
• Knowledge of institutions and procurement reforms in Borrower’s countries, preferably in the Pacific context or small island states.
• Ability to deal sensitively in a multicultural environment and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues.
• 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 multicultural environment.
• Ability to deal sensitively and diplomatically with internal/external contacts at all levels; work independently, prioritizing work, taking the initiative, and solving problems; adapting to changing business needs through continuous learning/training.
• Recognized ability to exercise sound judgment 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.
• Excellent administrative and organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Knowledge of technology applications, particularly in AI applications, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Applications from candidates without lawful authorization to work in FSM will not be considered

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

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.

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