Advisory Jobs at Department for International Development; Commercial Adviser

Job Title:    Commercial Adviser
Job Location:    Kampala, Uganda
Employer:    Department for International Development (DFID)
Average Salary: UGX 13,538,217/ p.m

         
About  DFID:
The Department for International Development (DFID) is leading the British government’s fight against world poverty. DFID works in Uganda to improve the quality of essential services and help protect the most vulnerable.

Uganda aspires to be a middle income country by 2040. Revenue from oil production and successful regional economic integration could help achieve this sooner. Since 2005, economic growth has averaged 7% annually and inward investment has doubled. Less than a quarter of the population now lives below the national poverty line, down from a third in 2006.

But economic growth has not benefited everyone. Poor infrastructure, a lack of jobs, high population growth, poor quality services and widespread corruption are major concerns. In the formerly war torn north, poverty levels are still nearly twice that of the rest of the country. 

Job Overview:
The Commercial Adviser will be a member of the DFID Uganda
Office team providing commercial advice and support to colleagues. They will be working in collaboration with DFID’s Procurement and Commercial Department (PCD), and will be responsible for devising, developing and implementing tailored commercial strategies to improve value for money and for providing senior level guidance and direction within DFID Uganda.

The successful candidate will work directly with fellow Advisors and Project Officers within the office, the role will also involve relationship management and influencing commercial decision making activities by Partner Governments, Civil Service Organisations, suppliers, consultants and other Donors (including multilaterals) to ensure maximum delivery benefit and value for money is achieved through DFID funding .

Job Requirements:
    The ideal DFID candidate should be a graduate in a relevant field with MCIPS or studying towards MCIPS qualification or any other relevant professional qualification.
    Ideally with a relevant post-graduate qualification.

The ideal candidate should have a minimum of five years’ professional experience working as a commercial professional with an in-depth understanding of strategic procurement and supplier management with demonstrable capability in the following areas:

•     Significant experience of contract and supplier relationship management.
•     Demonstrated relevant strategic procurement and sourcing experience.
•     Excellent track record in project management and delivery, and of working to meet deadlines and targets.
•     Prior working knowledge of the EU Procurement legislation and regulations.
•     Highly persuasive presenter, facilitator and negotiator with the ability to influence and support the achievement of DFID commercial objectives
•     Evidence of line management and leadership skills

Personal Competencies:

•     Achieving Commercial Outcomes
•     Delivering VFM
•     Delivering at Pace
•     Collaborating and Partnering
•     Changing and Improving

Job Duties:
 1. Commercial Capability, Culture and Capacity:

•     Review the office’s strategy, commercial environment and commercial skills gaps, and work with staff to review, implement and monitor a commercial improvement plan in line with DFID’s Commercial Vision and Strategy
•     Actively advocate for commercial initiatives and work to develop a commercial culture where all staff feel ownership for Commercial awareness, and key commercial process performance indicators (e.g. dashboards, scorecards) are reviewed regularly.
•     Technically support the development of staff within DFID Uganda by providing local training & guidance on commercial matters, by sharing technical knowledge and by coaching.
•     Work in liaison with wider network of Commercial and other Advisors to understand and identify potential opportunities for improved regional or wider strategic procurement.
•     Offer technical support to Commercial Manager covering DFID Kenya and Somalia teams.

2. Project Design:

•     Provide commercial best practice input on project design to ensure procurement initiatives are focused on need, clear specifications of requirements are in place with critical success factors considered
•     Warrant that Project design focuses on market capability and capacity, cost drivers and managing delivery, with a focus on payments by results
•     Work closely with other Division/Country office(s) to identify their view of risks and major issues affecting the effective delivery of their strategy; designing ways to help overcome blockages, including early market engagement and market shaping

3. Effective Tendering & Supplier Management:

•     Offer direction and guidance on the tender evaluation process and around legislative frameworks and interpretation of commercial legal issues
•     Ensure the implementation of effective Supplier Management practices by helping Advisors and Programme Officers understand and leverage supply markets and ensure suppliers are held to account.
•     Provide focus on a Suppliers’ combined in-country performance across multiple projects or initiatives, contributing to DFID’s Key Supplier Management programmes and initiatives.
•     Look for opportunities in partnership with suppliers to embed policy (including Corporate Social Responsibility) and deliver targets in supply chain.

4. Partner Relationship Procurement:

•     Ensure funding recipient has the commercial capacity and capability to deliver Value for Money (VFM).
•     Identify opportunities for more effective co-operation and collaboration between DFID, Partner Governments, Civil Society Organisations, suppliers, consultants and other Donors (including multilaterals).
•     Promote the importance of assessing and developing in-country Procurement systems and liaise with Partner Government to ensure procurement is in line with National Development programmes.

Remuneration package:
DFID is committed to supporting its staff to achieve their maximum potential and will provide opportunities for personal and professional development for the successful candidate, along with an attractive remuneration package. The work environment is dynamic and busy but pleasant.


Deadline Date: 25/04/2014

How to Apply:
Please fill in theApplication Form and the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form which are available on the DFID Uganda website mentioned above. Please Click on Blue links to download forms.

    The completed forms must be submitted together with typed copies of the applicant’s CV with the names and contact information of 3 work related referees.
    Clearly indicate the Job position in the subject title e.g. “Commercial Adviser.”
    All documents should be sent to: dfidca@aikanhr.com (Attachments may not fill more than 2 MB).
    All Applicants must be legally authorised to work in Uganda.


Note: Only those selected for interviews will be contacted. Any form of lobbying will lead to automatic disqualification.

Physical Address: 2 Bandali Close, Bugolobi, Kagga House Annex, 1st Floor, Kampala, Uganda. Tel: 0414 505318; 0312 264664