Procurement Officer

The Procurement Officer supports the implementation, coordination, and monitoring of procurement and contractual activities in support of the AUSSOM mandate and operational requirements. The role involves acquisition of goods, services, and works in accordance with AU procurement policies and procedures within a complex field mission environment.

Responsibilities

• Supports the implementation, coordination, and monitoring of procurement and contractual activities in support of the AUSSOM mandate and operational requirements.
• Contributes to the acquisition of goods, services, and works in accordance with applicable AU procurement policies, procedures, financial rules, and regulatory frameworks.
• Supports procurement planning, solicitation processes, bid evaluations, contract administration, and vendor management activities relating to Mission operational requirements.
• Assists in coordinating Requests for Quotations (RFQs), Invitations to Bid (ITBs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Long-Term Agreements (LTAs), and other procurement processes in accordance with applicable AU procedures.
• Supports procurement compliance, documentation management, procurement monitoring, and quality assurance activities relating to procurement and contractual operations.
• Contributes to procurement reporting, market research, vendor engagement, and operational procurement support activities in support of Mission effectiveness and continuity.
• Supports coordination and liaison activities with Mission components, vendors, contractors, and relevant stakeholders on procurement and contractual matters.
• Provides technical and administrative support to internal and external stakeholders on procurement-related matters, as required.
• Assists in the preparation and implementation of procurement plans, procurement schedules, market research activities, and sourcing strategies relating to Mission operational support requirements.
• Assists in the preparation of solicitation documents, procurement evaluations, procurement submissions, and recommendations for award in accordance with AU procurement regulations and procedures.
• Supports procurement compliance, documentation management, procurement monitoring, audit support, risk management, and quality assurance activities relating to procurement and contractual operations.
• Assists in the preparation and monitoring of Annual Procurement Plans (APPs) and supports coordination with Mission components to facilitate timely implementation of approved procurement activities.
• Supports vendor engagement, supplier performance monitoring, order tracking, contract administration activities, and follow-up actions to ensure timely delivery of goods, works, and services.
• Assists in the preparation of procurement reports, procurement statistics, procurement status updates, market analyses, and procurement-related documentation.
• Supports procurement training, awareness, and advisory activities relating to procurement procedures, procurement planning, and procurement compliance requirements.
• Assists Mission components in developing procurement requirements, specifications, cost estimates, and procurement-related documentation, as required.
• Supports the identification, monitoring, and management of procurement risks throughout the procurement cycle.
• Supports coordination and liaison activities with vendors, contractors, Mission components, AU procurement structures, and relevant stakeholders on procurement-related matters.
• Maintains procurement records, procurement files, vendor information, procurement databases, and procurement management systems in accordance with applicable procedures and record management requirements.
• Performs any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Commerce, Law, Finance, Economics, Engineering, Public Administration, or a related field with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in procurement, contract administration, sourcing, vendor management, or operational procurement support within a government institution, international organization, or large public or private sector organization.
• Or Master’s degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Commerce, Law, Finance, Economics, Engineering, Public Administration, or a related field with a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in procurement, contract administration, sourcing, vendor management, or operational procurement support.
• Professional certification or membership in a recognized procurement and supply professional body such as CIPS or equivalent is an added advantage.
• Experience in AU, UN, or other international organizations is desirable.
• Experience in procurement planning, solicitation processes, contract administration, vendor management, procurement compliance, and procurement documentation is desirable.
• Experience in handling RFQs, ITBs, RFPs, LTAs, procurement evaluations, and procurement-related reporting is desirable.
• Experience in web-based procurement management systems, ERP platforms such as SAP, procurement databases, and standard Microsoft Office applications is desirable.
• Good procurement, sourcing, contract administration, and operational procurement support skills within complex operational environments.
• Good understanding of AU procurement policies, procedures, financial rules, contractual frameworks, and procurement compliance requirements.
• Ability to support procurement planning, solicitation processes, bid evaluations, vendor management, and contract administration activities in accordance with applicable procurement procedures.
• Ability to coordinate RFQs, ITBs, RFPs, LTAs, and other procurement processes.
• Strong analytical, reporting, documentation management, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with Mission components, vendors, contractors, AU procurement structures, and relevant stakeholders on procurement-related matters.
• Good understanding of procurement monitoring, procurement risk management, audit support, inventory coordination, and operational procurement tracking activities.
• Strong planning, organizational, and time management skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and respond to evolving operational procurement requirements within a fast-paced field mission environment.
• Proficiency in the use of procurement management systems, ERP platforms such as SAP, procurement databases, and standard Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to maintain professionalism, accountability, transparency, confidentiality, and sound judgment in procurement and contractual activities.
• Proficiency in one of the AU official working languages is required. Knowledge of another AU official working language is an added advantage.

Skills

• Procurement Planning
• Contract Administration
• Vendor Management
• Sourcing
• Operational Procurement
• Procurement Compliance
• Procurement Documentation
• RFQ Coordination
• ITB Coordination
• RFP Coordination
• LTA Coordination
• Procurement Evaluations
• Procurement Reporting
• Web-based Procurement Systems
• ERP platforms
• SAP
• Procurement Databases
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Procurement Policies Understanding
• Financial Rules and Regulations
• Contractual Frameworks
• Procurement Risk Management
• Audit Support
• Inventory coordination
• Procurement Monitoring
• Negotiation
• Analytical Skills
• Documentation Management
• Time Management
• Organizational Skills

Languages

English