EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER (EDC) is one of the world’s leading nonprofit research and development firms. Established in 1958, EDC designs, delivers and evaluates innovative programs to address some of the world’s most urgent challenges in education, health, and economic opportunity. Our services include research, training, educational materials, and strategy, with activities ranging from seed projects to large-scale national and international initiatives.

The goal of the five-year, USAID-funded Integrated Child and Youth Development (ICYD) Activity is for Ugandan children and youth, especially the most vulnerable, to receive the support and services necessary to lead resilient, healthy, and productive lives. The ICYD Activity is expected to achieve the following:

1. Children and youth have improved learning outcomes;
2. Children and youth are safe and healthy in their community and learning environments; and
3. Youth practice positive behaviors and are able to make informed decisions about their lives and relationships.

Working in partnership with Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) and Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development (MGLSD), district and zonal officials, and other Ugandan government and civil society partners, ICYD will comprise a series of activities to: support improved basic education for Ugandan children; address school-related and gender-based violence; facilitate enhanced child protection and support for vulnerable youth; provide support to HIV-affected orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and their caregivers/families; and support HIV care and treatment outcomes in close collaboration with clinical and community structures. ICYD will also contribute to improved systems within the MoES and MGLSD to promote Early Grade Reading (EGR) and child protection.

Position Description

The Procurement Officer will support the Senior Procurement Manager to manage project procurement and ensure compliance with EDC policy and procedures and USAID regulations in support of project activities at the ICYD project headquarters and five zonal offices. The Procurement Officer will report to the Senior Procurement Manager. S/he will supervise the Procurement Assistant. This is a full-time position based in Kampala, Uganda. 

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

• Support 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;  
• Interface with customers, vendors, and administration finance offices as needed to provide quality assurance on purchasing transactions; 
• Maintain proper documentation to verify that all procurements comply with USAID’s rules and regulations; 
• Ensure procurement practices are in compliance with the project’s Policy and Procedures Manual and USAID rules and regulations; 
• Support technical and support staff in the development of requirement specifications; 
• Manage ICYD dedicated Uganda Procurement email account, ensuring prompt responses to vendors requests and queries; 
• 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;  
• Maintain up-to-date and accurate procurement tracker and provide weekly procurement status report to internal stakeholders; 
• File all procurement documentation electronically on the SharePoint in a logical manner; 
• Work with suppliers to confirm receipt and status update of orders, investigate price/quantity discrepancies, coordinate the replacement, credit, and return of unsatisfactory deliveries; ensure completion of the procure-to-pay cycle; and escalate issues when needed; 
• Coordinate the development of local vendor list; 
• Support project budget revisions by providing estimated pricing for goods and services;  
• Actively participates in Collaborative, Learning and Adapting (CLA) processes in place within the project; and 
• Conduct these and other tasks as required in support of ICYD Activity goals.

Education

·       Bachelor’s degree in Procurement & Logistics, Business Administration or a related field.

Skills and Experience

·       Minimum of 5 to 6 years of experience in managing procurement processes in Uganda; 

·       Experience working with USAID and PEPFAR funded projects or other donor funded projects is preferred;

·       Experience in competitive procurement of goods and services required (experience in administration of subcontracts and purchase orders strongly preferred);

·       Supervision experience is required;

·       Must be proactive, able to work independently and meet tight deadlines;

·       Excellent interpersonal skills to work with staff at all levels in the organization; 

·       Organizational and leadership skills to manage operations staff and coordinate well staff from other units; 

·       Must be able to work within a cross cultural setting, negotiate diplomatically, and function well under pressure; 

·       Ability to work hands-on, independently, and within teams in a difficult work environment; 

·       Detail-oriented and organized; 

·       Experience using computers and software at work, especially email and MS Word (experience with MS Excel highly desired);

·       Ability to travel frequently to zones and districts covered by the project.

Language

Fluency in English is required.

Application Instructions

Job closing date: October 14 2022

To apply, Applicants are encouraged to visit the Careers Page: https://go.edc.org/UgandaPostings

Applications submitted without a resume or CV will not be reviewed.

Due to the volume of applications submitted, only finalists will be notified. No phone calls, please.

EDC is committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce and ensuring an equitable and highly inclusive work environment. EDC is a smoke-free workplace, and offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits. Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

This announcement is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this notice are the sole responsibility of Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC) and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.