Agricultural Resilience Initiative (AGRI)/BCP Procurement Lead

Project Background

USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) was designed to foster Ukrainian economic resilience in the face of Russia`s invasions. ERA supports displaced businesses and persons, and the newly liberated areas of Ukraine, to rebuild their lives and livelihoods and capitalize on entrepreneurial opportunities; and local institutions to rebuild a resilient post-war economy. Also, ERA is now one of the implementers of a U.S. government interagency Agricultural Resilience Initiative (AGRI) to bolster Ukrainian agricultural production and exports and to help alleviate the global food security crisis exacerbated by Putin`s brutal war on Ukraine, and USAID`s Economic Stability and Recovery Initiative (ESRI), focusing on keeping and creating jobs and helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) survive and grow.

ERA`s objective is to improve Ukraine`s economic resilience in response to Russia`s aggression, including the expanded invasion that began on February 24, 2022, which has disrupted critical market linkages, catalyzed the economic decline of previously dominant industries, and caused massive population disruption. ERA`s focus is to support Ukrainians forced to flee eastern Ukraine.

The activity aims to improve Ukraine`s economic resilience, specifically, those Ukrainians impacted by Russia`s expanded invasion, by accomplishing the following objectives:

1) Stabilization and Inclusion: provide assistance to stabilize the economy of Ukraine;

2) Business Revival: support the sustainable development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs); and

3) New Economy: build confidence in the future of the Ukrainian economy.

Job Overview

The main objective of the Agricultural Resilience Initiative (AGRI) and Border Checkpoints (BCP) Procurement Lead is to support the ERA COO, BCP and AGRI Directors in managing and implementing the AGRI and BCP procurement plans guided by the ERA work plan and operational needs. This individual will be responsible for adherence to the project’s Field Operations Manual (FOM), USAID regulations, contract requirements and limitations, procurement policies, procedures, controls, and reporting systems. The individual will proactively coordinate with all staff on planning and implementing procurements through open communication, proactive market research, and price analysis.

The AGRI and BCP Procurement Lead supervises the team of procurement specialists and assistants; reports to ERA COO and coordinates closely with BCP and AGRI Directors; and is based in one of the USAID ERA’s office’s locations (Kyiv or Lviv).

Responsibilities

Management:

• Responsible for providing training, guidance, and direction to project procurement staff on planning, implementation, and compliance of procurement policies, procedures, and instructions
• Use the FOM to ensure that policies, procedures, and/or practices are being met
• Supervise a team of six to eight mid-level procurement specialists and assistants

Planning and Implementation:

• Manage all field-initiated procurement and subcontracting ensuring compliance with USAID regulations and DAI FOM procurement policies, procedures, and instructions
• With guidance from the ERA COO and BCP and AGRI Directors, develop and implement the ERA procurement plans
• Proactively works with technical staff to discuss work plan ideas; lead the development of timeline and details required for any activities needing procurement; conduct market search in coordination with technical staff in support of anticipated operations and technical needs
• Coordinated with staff requesting procurement to prepare specifications and solicitation documents and allow for efficient and effective preparation and competition
• Conducts pre-award responsibility and financial review of potential subcontracts
• Manage vendor relationships, contacts, and pre-qualifications lists
• Manage evaluations of bids and application for allowability, allocability, reasonableness, and consistency and oversees the vendor selection process
• Prepare the required approvals to ensure compliance with internal and external contract and policy requirements
• In coordination with ERA SMT and DAI Home Office Issue subcontracts, purchase orders, task orders, and amendments; organize kickoff meeting explaining terms, conditions, roles, and responsibilities
• Generate reports of status of procurement activities, such as forecasting payments, amendments, closeouts, and sector specific data (ie monthly and quarterly reporting
• Coordinate with the ERA CFO, finance and technical teams to ensure on-time deliverables, payments, and cash flow requests by monitoring deliverables and payment schedules
• Coordinate with the ERA COO and CFO on issues related to compliance and internal audit.
• Oversee the timely and comprehensive close-out process and related documentation of purchase records and subcontracts

Job Expectations

In this position, you are expected to share the DAI’s four core values:

• Integrity: commit to civil and ethical behavior, play by the rules, and do the right thing.
• Responsibility: be accountable to clients, partners, grant recipients, beneficiaries, colleagues, and communities where we work. If you fall short, you own up, fix the problem, and get it right the next time.
• Excellence: adhere to the highest technical and professional standards in innovation, learning, and service.
• Global Citizenship: respect cultural diversity and treat everyone everywhere with professionalism and dignity to make the world a better place.

Qualifications:

• MBA/MA degree or equivalent in Business, Logistics, Management, or International Development.
• At least 8 years of experience in a relevant sector, including increasingly responsible procurement experience and preferably with international donor-funded organizations
• Familiarity with USAID rules and regulations is required
• Previous experience with DAI policies, procedures, and systems (TAMIS) is preferred
• Ability to solve complex technical, managerial, or operational problems and evaluate options based on relevant information
• Strong leadership skills, being able to inspire and motivate team members, set a clear vision and direction, and lead by example.
• Strong strategic thinking and ability to see the bigger picture, aligning team efforts with overall organizational goals and long-term strategies.
• Ability to travel within Ukraine 20-40% of time.
• Fluency in English is required. Ukrainian language proficiency (verbal and written) desired but not required

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