National Procurement Specialist

Organizational Setting

The project “Building a Resilient Churia Region in Nepal” (BRCRN) was approved by the 24th meeting of the Board of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in November 2019, and is Nepal’s first full-size GCF project. FAO, as the nominated Accredited Entity (AE) for the project, is responsible to the GCF for implementation of the project and is also co-Executing Entity (EE) with the Ministry of Forest and Environment (MoFE) of the Government of Nepal (GoN). The BRCRN project will be implemented in 26 critical river systems in the southeast region of Nepal, covering parts of Provinces 1, 2 and 3, linking the Churia hills and upper Terai, and aims to promote widespread adoption of climate-resilient land use practices, confront the challenges of deforestation and forest degradation, better maintain the forest ecosystem in the Churia hills, and build resilience to climate-induced hazards.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall operational supervision of FAO Representative in Nepal and the direct supervision of the TA Team Manager and in close consultation with the Assistant FAOR (Programme and Administration) and cooperation with National Project Manager( NPM).

Technical Focus

• General support including financial management
• Procurement Support

Tasks and responsibilities

The National Procurement Specialist will be responsible for the following tasks:

Task 1 General support including financial management

• Review project agreement, project design and other related documents, applicable Government acts, rules, regulations, directives on financial management, procurement; and disbursement processes
• Take note on the use of existing accounting software and undertake start-up activities for the Project team building through consultation meeting and workshops.
• Assist the TA team manager to draw up an annual work plan and budget (AWPB) that meets the requirements of GCF-FAO BRCRN project agreement and PIM requirement;
• Specify requirements for, with the help of PMU, assist in installation of computerized accounting system at all levels of project implementation offices and ensure the integrity of a computerized accounting system
• Assist in preparing the shadow budgeting of the approved budget.
• Orient project staffs on administrative procedures of the project, provide advice and ensure administrative support as required
• Under take the assignment as directed by the TA team Manager

Task 2: Procurement Support

• Prepare Bi-annual and Annual procurement Plan (PP) for TA component in line with the FAA agreement and aligned with FAO policies and processes to meet the needs of the project.
• Support in preparation of procurement plan of PMU aligning with the project agreement and PIM in coordination with PMU procurement officer and NPM.
• Assist operational partner and implementing agencies preparing standard and subsequent bidding documents, and undertaking the procurement process for initial and major procurement packages and those with higher risks;
• Ensure establishment and implementation of proper monitoring system and control of procurement processes including organization of EoI/RFQ, Tender/ITB or RFP, receipt and evaluation of quotations, bids or proposals and negotiation of certain conditions of contracts in full compliance with GCF Financing Agreement and GON acts, rules and regulations as applicable and adequacy of management of procurement contracts;

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• National of Nepal
• A Master degree in business administration, financial management and procurement or any other relevant fields.
• At least 10 years of work experience in public financial management and procurement, those of some in donor funded projects under the Government of Nepal
• Minimum 3 years of experience in providing training to national staffs in financial management and procurement/contract management activities;
• Working knowledge of English and Nepali
• Candidate should have knowledge of computer skills in English and Nepali (MS Office package: word, excel and power point)

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• experience in public financial management and procurement, those of some in donor funded projects under the Government of Nepal;
• Experience of developing PIM, Financial Management Manual, Procurement Management Manual is highly desired;
• experience in providing training to national staffs in financial management and procurement/contract management activities;
• Experience working within the UN system/International Financing Institution in similar functional role in an international environment will be an advantage;
• Experiences in project design, project appraisal, project supervision, mid-term review in forestry projects in Nepal will be assets.
• Proficiency in both spoken and written English;
• Strong inter-personal skills and excellent oral communication skills.

Selection Criteria

• Advanced university degree;
• Relevant Work experience;
• Language skills;
• Extent of relevant technical experience in the related areas
• Ability to manage and work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team
• Good working knowledge of English (Written and Spoken)
• Experience with similar internationally funded development projects will be an added advantage