SENIOR PROJECT PROCUREMENT SPECIALIST – Ministry of Health and Sanitation

Key Responsibilities

• Provide the supervision and quality check on preparing procurement documentation for goods, works and non-consulting services including Specific Procurement Notices (SPNs), Invitation for Bids, advertisements, Request for Quotation documents, organizing and conducting bid openings, evaluation reports, obtaining the necessary approvals and No Objection Letters from the World Bank where required, arranging for the contract signing, and distribution to the appropriate authorities;
• Provide executive-level leadership and oversight for procurement and contract management functions.
• Maintain an integrated procurement pipeline and implementation schedule.
• Identify procurement bottlenecks and coordinate corrective actions.
• Advise Project Management on procurement priorities, sequencing, and implementation risks.
• Ensure compliance with World Bank regulations and Government procurement requirements.
• Review major procurement documents and procurement strategies.
• Promote competition, transparency, integrity, accountability, and value for money.
• Review procurement documentation for consulting services including liaising with the technical teams on preparing Terms of Reference (TORs), Requests for Expressions of Interest (EOI), advertisements, evaluating EOIs and creating shortlists, preparing Request for Proposal documents, evaluating proposals, obtaining the necessary clearances from the World Bank where required, assisting in contract negotiations, minutes of negotiations, draw-up draft contracts and making arrangements for contract signing, and distributing to the appropriate authorities;
• Lead or oversee high-value and strategically important procurement activities.
• Support evaluations, negotiations, contract awards, and resolution of complex procurement matters.
• Serve as the principal procurement focal point for the World Bank and oversight institutions.
• Coordinate submissions requiring Prior Review and No Objection.
• Support implementation support missions, audits, and procurement reviews.
• Facilitate implementation of agreed corrective actions.
• Lead ensuring compliance with procurement methods and prior review thresholds applicable to the project;
• Ensure all procurement activities are carried out in accordance with the agreed procedures, including the Financing Agreement; the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations; and Government of Malawi Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act;
• Establish and oversee a robust contract management framework.
• Lead in coordinating responses to inquiries and communicate the results of the evaluation process to bidders or consultants, in keeping with World bank’s Procurement Regulations;
• Lead in handling bidders and consultants’ complaints and debriefings by ensuring that they are all addressed adequately and in a timely manner and to maintain a complaints database;
• Monitor contract milestones, deliverables, guarantees, warranties, insurance, and payments.
• Advise management on contract variations, claims, disputes, and extensions.
• Maintain a comprehensive procurement risk register and tracker.
• Identify and mitigate procurement and market risks.
• Oversee procurement complaints handling.
• Promote compliance with ethical and anti-corruption standards.
• Monitor procurement processing times and implementation milestones.
• Ensure timely updating of STEP and other approved systems.
• Prepare quarterly procurement performance reports.
• Provide procurement inputs to project progress reports and management reviews.
• Supervise and mentor procurement staff assigned to the Project.
• Support resolution of complex procurement issues.
• Identify capacity gaps and implement capacity-building initiatives.
• Strengthen sustainable procurement systems within the Ministry of Health.
• Carry out any other duties as may be assigned by the Project Coordinator from time to time.

Requirements

• The candidate must have a minimum of Master’s Degree in Procurement, Engineering, Economics, Business Administration, Public Administration, Law, or a related field.
• At least Fifteen (15) years of post-qualification professional experience, of which at least ten (10) years must comprise progressive experience managing procurement and contract management under World Bank-financed project projects involving complex procurement of works, goods, equipment, and consulting services.
• Experience with Donor funded Projects including the World Bank and Professional membership of a recognized procurement body such as MIPS or CIPS will be an added advantage.
• Strong organizational, communication and ethical skills in conducting duties in procurement experience
• Prior familiarity with procurement policies, regulation and the preparation of specific standard procurement documents on World Bank and knowledge of preparation
• Experience in emergency procurement, health-sector procurement, medical equipment procurement, infrastructure procurement, or other complex public-sector procurement assignments.
• Sound working knowledge of Government of Malawi public procurement laws and procedures.
• Demonstrated knowledge of World Bank procurement guidelines, policies, evaluation procedures, and reporting requirements
• Extensive experience (at least 5 years) using the World Bank STEP system.
• Proven experience in management of large and complex works contracts
• Experience in multidisciplinary project environments.
• Relevant specialized procurement training, including procurement under donor-funded projects and procurement of large works and equipment.
• Excellent analytical, communication, interpersonal, report-writing, and decision-making skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Applications including Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
• Excellent ability to communicate clearly, accurately and concisely in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work in a team and independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work with tight deadlines and deliver exceptional results.
• Strategic procurement planning and leadership;
• Strong professional judgement and decision-making ability;
• Procurement and contract management expertise;
• Procurement risk assessment and mitigation;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Negotiation and dispute-resolution capability;
• Effective stakeholder engagement and relationship management;
• Ability to manage complex procurement portfolios under demanding timelines;
• Excellent communication and report-writing skills;
• High standards of integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct;
• Sound understanding of value for money, competition, transparency, and procurement governance; and
• Proficiency in STEP and other procurement and contract management

Salary

Remuneration will be determined in accordance with the applicable Ministry of Health and Project remuneration framework and will be commensurate with the qualifications, experience, and responsibilities of the position.

How to Apply

REF Code: MW-MOH-573835-CS-INDV