Location: United State

About the Organization

Counterpart International helps people build better lives and more durable futures, community by community.  We equip individuals, organizations, and communities-our counterparts- to become solution creators in their own families, communities, regions and countries.  We work with them in some of the world’s most challenging places to tackle social, economic, environmental, health and governance issues that threaten their lives and undermine their futures. 

The Procurement Officer is responsible for the efficient coordination and management of overhead-funded procurement functions for Counterpart’s Headquarters office in Washington, DC.

Responsibilities

Procurement

• Independently process Counterpart’s overhead and DC-Office project-billable procurement requests.
• Process purchase orders, renewals, extensions, complex riders, and emergency actions within established timeframes.
• Respond to internal and external customer inquiries.
• Prepare final drafts of determinations, solicitations, contracts, and award recommendations for requestors’ concurrence.
• Serve as the designated official to communicate and negotiate with suppliers to procure needed goods and services.
• Communicate with all stakeholders regarding contract renewals within appropriate timeframes.
• Manage contracts prior to expiration and process renewals, extensions, or rebids.
• Perform a wide range of contract administration responsibilities.
• Prepare all required procurement-related documentation correspondence and reports in signature-ready format.
• Assist with data collection and reporting for all procurement reports.

Procurement Management

• Responsible for creation and management of list of contracted Suppliers and service providers, using Counterpart’s selection and pre-qualification processes. Update list on a regular basis and circulate to relevant staff.
• Conduct regular market surveys in key procurement categories to ensure that Counterpart is receiving best value for money.
• Prepare Requests for Proposal and manage contract/tender.

Documentation and Reporting

• Monitor procurement records to ensure that each procurement request is fully and clearly documented according to Counterpart policy.
• Prepare monthly procurement Tracking report and consolidate all procurement Tracking from Country field office reports. Share report with Contracts, Compliance and Award Manager.

Compliance

• Monitor Counterpart policies and procedures to ensure that they are kept updated and relevant to the in-country situation and Counterpart programming requirements.
• Provide consistent and constructive support to other departments to ensure compliance with Counterpart and donors’ policies and procedures.
• Promptly inform the Contracts, Compliance and Award Manager, of any areas of concern of potential or suspected violations of policies and procedures.

Training & Outreach

• Deliver new hire orientation on Procurement policies and procedures.
• Develop and or deliver topical procurement trainings as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, international development, or a related field.
• A minimum of 4 years of relevant experience (including internships and volunteer experience in an office setting) in an administrative support role.
• Ability to think quickly and effectively to solve problems, handle multiple projects, determine priorities in dynamic professional setting.
• Must be able to work independently yet collaborate easily and effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to proactively seek out information from diverse groups and collaborate as a strong team player to create new processes and resolve issues.
• Effective communication, time-management, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to perform under deadline pressure and an ability to focus on details.
• Fluency in English with strong writing and editing skills.

Preferred

• Experience working with donor agencies (USAID, USDA, World Bank, etc.) or development organizations a plus.
• Fluency in a second language such as Arabic, Spanish, or French is preferred.

Skill and Abilities

• Proven computer literacy in MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access, or related programs required.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, coordinate and perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines.
• Willingness to travel to developing foreign nations.
• Systems-oriented individual.