Procurement Officer

EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER (EDC)

Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity. Since 1958, we have been a leader in designing, implementing, and evaluating powerful and innovative programs in more than 80 countries around the world.

EDC promotes equity and access to high quality education and health services and products that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. We support an inclusive workplace culture that embraces many perspectives and broadens our understanding of the communities we serve, enhancing and enriching our work.

EDC is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Project Description

The USAID Let’s Read Zambia project is a 6-year project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by the Education Development Center (EDC).

USAID Let’s Read Zambia works to improve reading outcomes for children attending  Grades 1-3 and provide professional development for teachers to support reading interventions in Zambian public and community schools.

The Procurement Officer is responsible for the following tasks, but not limited to:

• Ensure that procurement practices are in compliance with the project’s Policy and Procedures Manual, country handbook, and USAID rules and regulations;
• Prepare annual procurement plan with support from the COP/DCOP, finance and technical staff;
• Manage the overall procurement process.  Prepare requests for quotations, conduct bid evaluation, prepare price analysis, and conduct due diligence (reference checks and site visits) and draft purchase orders in support of the procurement of goods and services for the project;
• Work closely with the project technical teams and provincial offices to provide procurement guidance and assistance on trainings, events and activities that will require the rental of venues or hotels, catering services, transportation services and procurement of stationery and supplies;
• Maintain filing system for procurements and ensure that the required documentation referenced in the procurement threshold is in each procurement file;
• Coordinate delivery logistics with program team and/or grantees to obtain the required documentation such as goods delivery receipts and placed in the procurement file;
• Ensure that the vendor meets the terms and conditions of the purchase order/contract through active contract management.  This includes written communication with the vendor to ensure on-time delivery, and that goods and services meet the specifications and are of the quality and quantity requested;
• Review invoice payments from vendors and compare to the terms of the purchase order or contract to ensure vendor invoices are accurate before submitting for payment;
• Coordinate the development and maintenance of local vendor list;
• Support project budget revisions by providing estimated pricing for goods and services;
• Any other duties as may be assigned by supervisor

Reporting and Organizational Relationships:

Procurement Officer reports to the Deputy Chief of Party, Operations.

• Grade 12 Certificate
• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in Purchasing & Supply, Business Administration, Accounting, Social Sciences, or other related field.
• Must be a member of Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply with a Valid practicing license

Skills and Experience:

• At least 5 years’ experience managing procurement processes in Zambia, including with USAID-funded programs;
• Experience in competitive procurement of goods and services required (experience in administration of subcontracts and purchase orders strongly preferred);
• Detail-oriented and organized;
• Experience using computers and software at work, especially email and MS Word (experience with MS Excel is desired);
• Ability to work hands-on, independently, and within team in difficult work environment;  and
• Willingness to frequently travel to provinces and districts covered by the project.

 Language:

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of (and proficiency in) Chinyanja, Chitonga, Silozi, Lunda, Luvale, Kiikaonde and Icibemba languages highly preferred.