Procurement Specialist (AfCDC)

Organization Information

Reports to: Project Implementation Unit Coordinator/Head 
Directorate/Department: Project Implementation Unit
Division: Project Implementation Unit
Number of Direct Reports:0 
Number of Indirect Reports:0
Number of Positions:1
Job Grade: P3
Contract Type: Appointment for Limited duration (ALD)

Purpose of Job

Africa CDC is the African Union’s continental public health agency and envisions a safer, healthier, integrated and stronger Africa, where Member States are capable of effectively responding to outbreaks of infectious diseases and other public health threats. The agency mission is to strengthen Africa’s public health institutions’ capabilities to detect and respond quickly and effectively to disease outbreaks and other health burdens through an integrated network of continent-wide preparedness and response, surveillance, laboratory, and research programmes.

Towards meeting its’ mission, the Africa CDC received two grants from World Bank i.e (i) USD10 million through the Regional Investment Financing Project and (ii) USD100 million through the Africa Centres for Disease Control Support Program to Combat Current and Future Public Health Threats Project.

In consistent with the project financing agreement, Africa CDC has established the PIU, led by a PIU Coordinator with responsibility for day-to-day management and implementation of the Project, including inter alia, preparation of annual work plans, environmental and social safeguards management, financial management, procurement, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting. The PIU comprises of nine specialists, including a Financial Management Specialist, Procurement Specialist, Procurement and Disbursement Officer, Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist, Senior Technical Specialist, Project Management Specialist, M&E Specialist, IT Specialist, and an Administrative Assistant

Africa CDC therefore require the services of a suitably qualified and experienced Procurement Specialist to join the PIU. The overall objective of the role is to manage the procurement activities under the projects in adherence with the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers and AU Procurement Manual.
The Project Procurement Specialist will be fully accountable to the PIU Coordinator and he/she is expected to be fully committed (100% time commitment) to PIU responsibilities as detailed below. All deliverables, reports, and procurement documents shall be submitted to the PIU Project Coordinator for review and approval.

Main Functions

Under the guidance and supervision of the PIU Coordinator, the Project Procurement Specialist will be responsible for the overall management of project procurement activities as part of the project implementation arrangement consistent with the Financing Agreement, in accordance with World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrower, including the planning, implementation and supervision of all procurement operations under the projects. All deliverables, reports, and procurement documents shall be submitted to the PIU Project Coordinator for review and approval.

Specific Responsibilities

Procurement Planning and Management

• Lead the preparation, updating, and monitoring of annual Procurement Plan and schedules in Systematic Tracking of Exchanges in Procurement (STEP), detailing contract packages for works, goods and services, the estimated cost for each package, the procurement or selection methods and processing times till completion of each procurement activity in consultation with all Africa CDC’s Business Units.
• Monitor procurement plan implementation, ensuring that only approved activities in the PPSD and AWPB are processed under the project.
• Prepare procurement schedules and ensure timely initiation of procurement processes.
• Ensure procurement planning and execution are carried out in accordance with World Bank Procurement Regulations, African Union Procurement Manual, internal governance requirements, and budgetary frameworks, including support for updating procurement strategy documents and selection of appropriate procurement methods.
• Maintain real-time accuracy of procurement data in STEP and manage all procurement-related communications with the Bank through the STEP system at all stages of the procurement process starting from planning to completion of each activity as instructed by the PIU Coordinator.

Procurement Processes

• Prepare General Procurement Notice (GPN) and submit to the World Bank’s review and no-objection; and subsequent publication on the United Nations Development Business (UNDB) online.
• Support the preparation of technical inputs such as Terms of Reference, and technical specifications
• Lead the drafting and Bank review of the Request for Expressions of Interest (REoI) for consulting/non consulting services, ensuring clear selection criteria and scope of services.
• Develop Prequalification Documents or Initial Selection Documents when required for complex goods, works, or non-consulting services, ensuring competitive fairness and transparency.
• Prepare and submit for Bank clearance the Specific Procurement Notice (SPN), ensuring timely and wide publication through UNDB Online and other appropriate platforms.
• Using the World Bank’s Standard Procurement Documents prepare project’s customized Bidding and Proposal Documents (RFB/RFP) for Goods and Works and Request for Proposals (RFP) for Consulting Assignments. This should include standardized Forms to be used for Open and Limited market approaches and for the Request for Quotations.
• Coordinate and ensure timely responses to clarifications from bidders and shortlisted consultants throughout the procurement process.
• Ensure all procurement documents comply with World Bank Procurement Regulations and AU Procurement Manual requirements prior to submission for internal approval and external review.
• Process procurement transactions in SAP/ERP, including creation of purchase orders, service entry sheets, and processing of supplier and consultant invoices.

..

Bidding Process Management
a.    Bid Opening

•  Lead bid/proposal opening in strict compliance with World Bank procedures (public opening or with a Probity Assurance Provider as applicable).
• Maintain detailed bid opening records and ensure prompt dissemination of opening minutes to all bidders and the World Bank.

b.    Bid/Proposal Evaluation and Reporting

• Facilitate the establishment and orientation of evaluation committees, ensuring all members understand World Bank evaluation protocols.
• Support the Supervision of the technical and financial evaluation processes, ensuring strict application of approved Evaluation Criteria and compliance with integrity, transparency, and fairness requirements.
• Provide secretarial services to Shortlisting, technical/financial evaluation and during contract negotiation meetings.
• Draft comprehensive Evaluation Reports and ensure their submission to the World Bank for review and No-Objection prior to award recommendation.

Contracting and Contract Administration

• Support the issuance of Notification of Intention to Award, Standstill Period observance, and final Contract Award Notice in compliance with World Bank guidelines.
• Prepare draft contracts and facilitate contract negotiations where relevant.
• Ensure that signed contracts reflect the exact terms agreed in the procurement process and that no deviations are made without Bank No-Objection.
• Support contract mobilization, performance tracking, and reporting using Contract Management Plans as per Annex XI of the Procurement Regulations.
• Support effective contract administration, including monitoring deliverables, site visits, and compliance.
• Follow up on variations, extensions, disputes, and performance issues.
• Establish and maintain procedures for the receiving, inspecting, testing and acceptance of goods.

…

Oversight, Capacity Support, and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with World Bank and AU procurement frameworks across all activities and support strengthening of internal controls and risk management
• Coordinate with the Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist, Office of Internal Oversight (OIO), Legal Division, and relevant Business Units on procurement-related issues, ensure proper escalation to the PIU Coordinator, and support resolution in accordance with institutional procedures.
• Conduct procurement capacity assessments to identify gaps and areas for improvement in procurement performance and compliance.
• Provide technical advice, on-the-job support, and capacity building to PIU procurement staff and Africa CDC staff, including design and delivery of training sessions and dissemination of World Bank procurement regulations, manuals, processes, templates and best practices.

Documentation, Record-Keeping, and Procurement Audit Support

• Maintain a centralized, audit-ready procurement filing system (electronic and physical) ensuring completeness, accuracy, and compliance with World Bank and AU requirements.
• Verify, upload, and update procurement and contract documentation in STEP at all stages of the procurement cycle, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and consistency with procurement plans and AU reporting requirements, including contract completion records such as delivery, inspection, testing, and acceptance documentation
• Facilitate post-review processes and cooperate with Independent Procurement Reviews or external audits as required.
• Respond to audit queries and provide documentation required for external and internal audits.
• Participate in World Bank missions, performance reviews, and technical meetings

Document uploading in Systematic Tracking of Exchanges in Procurement (STEP) 

• Verify completeness, quality and consistency of procurement and contract administration documents before uploading to STEP system.
• Upload required documents at the correct STEP stage/roadmap for each procurement activity.
• Update status, dates, and fields in STEP consistent with the procurement method’s required steps and the project calendar.
• Enter and upload contract completion evidence in STEP including copies of inspection, testing, delivery and acceptance documents at contract closing stages of each activity.

Other Duties

• Support dispute resolution with contractors, suppliers, or consultants as needed.
• Perform other procurement-related tasks as assigned by the PIU Project Coordinator.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master’s degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Law, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related fields with at least 7 years of relevant professional experience in procurement, supply chain, public procurement, or administration, including a minimum of three (3) years at a specialist or expert level

Or 

Bachelor’s degree in management, Procurement, Supply Chain, Law, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related fields with at least 10 years’ years of relevant professional experience in procurement, supply chain, public procurement, or administration, including a minimum of three (3) years at a specialist or expert level.

• Demonstrable experience in using the World Bank STEP System is mandatory.
• Experience in World Bank project procurement and contract implementation is mandatory.
• Relevant Training on World Bank procurement rules and procedures is an advantage.

Required Skills

• Demonstrable experience and comprehensive knowledge in legal/contract management, project and office administration, and performance monitoring and evaluation within complex donor-funded or public sector project environments.
• Extensive experience in routine and emergency procurement processing and reporting, including shipping, and receiving, inventory control and supporting/ leading development of complex procurements in medium to large organizations.
• Demonstrable experience in supporting and leading development of complex procurements.
• Hands on experience in procurement of goods and services including recruitment of Individual Consultants and consulting firms, bid evaluation, contract drafting, and processing of supplier and consultant payments
• Advanced proficiency in SAP/ERP systems and strong command of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), as well as email and internet-based tools.
• Demonstrated leadership and ability to work effectively in multicultural and cross-functional environments.
• Proven ability to respect supervising authority, working in teams and maintaining productive relationships with colleagues at vertical and horizontal levels.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Insight
• Change Management
• Managing Risks
• Developing Others..

Core Competencies

• Building Partnerships
• CDC 2820 – Fostering Accountability Culture
• ..Learning Orientation
• Communicating with Influence

Functional Competencies

• Conceptual Thinking
• Job Knowledge and Information Sharing
• Drive for Results
• Continuous Improvement Orientation

TENURE OF APPOINTMENT:

The Appointment will be for a period of Eleven (11) Months, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables.

GENDER MAINSTREAMING:

Africa CDC is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

LANGUAGES:

• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) is mandatory and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

REMUNERATION:

The salary attached to the position for the eleven month period is US$  88,844.56  (P3 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$ 68,255.99 inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Applications must be submitted no later than April 28, 2026 11h59 p.m. EAT.

–Only candidates who meet all job requirements and are selected for interviews will be contacted.

–Consideration will be given only to those candidates who have submitted a fully completed online application with a curriculum vitae (CV), an African passport, and the required academic qualifications, such as Diplomas, Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees and any relevant certificate in line with the area of expertise.

–The African Union is an equal opportunity employer, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

–Candidates from less represented countries within the African Union are strongly encouraged to apply for positions that fit their profiles.

These countries include: Algeria, Angola, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Sahrawi D.R., Sao Tome and Principe., Seychelles, Somalia and Tunisia.