Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions and stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.  

We value diversity — in backgrounds and in experiences. We are deliberate and self-reflective about the kind of team and culture that we are building, seeking staff that are not only strong in their own aptitudes but care deeply about supporting each other's growth. Our success depends on all our employees’ points of view, and the principle that inclusion is everyone's responsibility.

Program Description:

The USAID-funded Ethiopia Civic Engagement Activity is a four-year activity with the overall goal to strengthen Ethiopia’s civic fabric in support of more inclusive, peaceful, and responsive governance. The project aims to strengthen civic and community-based actors’ capacity to engage in policy analysis, advocacy, dialogue, and collective action for peaceful, democratic change; and foster multi-stakeholder civic partnerships in support of inclusive dialogue, respect for human rights, and advancing more effective, citizen-responsive, and accountable governance.

Position Summary:

The Procurement Specialist will be responsible for reviewing overall procurement processes to ensure compliance with Creative policy and procedures, tracking procurement of goods and services through the procurement cycle, ensuring that adequate competition is achieved for procurements, providing regular procurement mentoring to project staff to support project implementation, and coordinating with Creative HQ Procurement. 

Reporting: The Procurement Specialist reports to the Office Manager. The Procurement Specialist will liaise regularly with the HQ Procurement Departmen

• Implement procurement processes to support activity implementation for the project, strictly following all rules and regulations including:

• Creative Procurement policies and procedures

• FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulations)

• CFR (U.S. Code of Federal Regulations)

• AAPD (Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directive)

• Local Ethiopian Law

• Train and mentor technical staff in procurement policies and process.

• Work with Project Technical team to prepare the annual Project Procurement Plan is to maximize efficiency and coordination in the procurement of goods and services.

• Conduct market research for each type of procurement and maintain a database of vendors and items commonly needed by the project.

• Determine the most reasonable and expeditious process for procurement in compliance with Creative policies and procedures and USAID regulations.

• Prepare and issue solicitation documents based on approved requisition received.

• Responsible for providing clarifications to all vendors when required. Also, prepare and issue solicitation modification when applicable.

• Responsible for ensuring confidentiality throughout procurement and vendor selection process.

• Facilitate the evaluation process for each solicitation according Creative’s procurement policy.

• Ensure proper documentation of the selection of vendors using Creative’s official templates.

• Manage negotiations with vendors.

• Responsible for the drafting, negotiating, issuing and management of Purchase Orders, Purchase Order Agreements, Short-term Technical Assistance Consultancy Agreements, Fixed Price Service Agreements, and subcontracts.

• Verify quality and quantity of products according to the agreement and/or needs of the beneficiary, community, and/or Project ensuring proper documentation of the delivery.

• Process requisitions for procurement and invoices in ReQlogic.

• Review all payment requests and make sure that all the required forms are appropriately and consistently filled out and requested before being submitted to finance.

• Ensure procurement files comply with Creative’s policies and procedures and uploaded into project database.

• Assist with the preparation of procurement reports.

• Perform other duties as assigned

• Implement procurement processes to support activity implementation for the project, strictly following all rules and regulations including:

• Creative Procurement policies and procedures

• FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulations)

• CFR (U.S. Code of Federal Regulations)

• AAPD (Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directive)

• Local Ethiopian Law

• Train and mentor technical staff in procurement policies and process.

• Work with Project Technical team to prepare the annual Project Procurement Plan is to maximize efficiency and coordination in the procurement of goods and services.

• Conduct market research for each type of procurement and maintain a database of vendors and items commonly needed by the project.

• Determine the most reasonable and expeditious process for procurement in compliance with Creative policies and procedures and USAID regulations.

• Prepare and issue solicitation documents based on approved requisition received.

• Responsible for providing clarifications to all vendors when required. Also, prepare and issue solicitation modification when applicable.

• Responsible for ensuring confidentiality throughout procurement and vendor selection process.

• Facilitate the evaluation process for each solicitation according Creative’s procurement policy.

• Ensure proper documentation of the selection of vendors using Creative’s official templates.

• Manage negotiations with vendors.

• Responsible for the drafting, negotiating, issuing and management of Purchase Orders, Purchase Order Agreements, Short-term Technical Assistance Consultancy Agreements, Fixed Price Service Agreements, and subcontracts.

• Verify quality and quantity of products according to the agreement and/or needs of the beneficiary, community, and/or Project ensuring proper documentation of the delivery.

• Process requisitions for procurement and invoices in ReQlogic.

• Review all payment requests and make sure that all the required forms are appropriately and consistently filled out and requested before being submitted to finance.

• Ensure procurement files comply with Creative’s policies and procedures and uploaded into project database.

• Assist with the preparation of procurement reports.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business management, procurement or logistic; Master’s degree preferred;

• At least three years’ procurement experience with project implementation, preferably in Ethiopia; minimum of two years working in international development;

• Solid understanding of donor regulations and procedures pertaining to acquisitions;

• Experience with automated purchasing systems such as ReQlogic;

• Demonstrated ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects;

• Ability to analyze budget line items for compliance with budget guidelines;

• Proven records maintenance and database management skills; and

• Proficient in Microsoft office: MS Word, Excel, Outlook.

• Verbal and written working proficiency in English and at least one local language.

• Candidate must be authorized to work in Ethiopia.

How to Apply

Register using the following link CLICK HERE