Principal Professional, Procurement

Job description: Principal Professional, Procurement

Closing on: August 26, 2024 at 11:59pm (China Standard Time)
Based in: Shanghai, China
Target Market: Global recruitment

Position Objective:
The Procurement Division is one of the two divisions under the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Department of the New Development Bank (NDB or the Bank) under the Vice-Presidency for Strategy and Risk. 

The Procurement Division is responsible for drafting the procurement policy, procedures and guidance, and recommending any subsequent amendments for consideration by the Board of Directors. The primary function of the division is overseeing procurement arrangements in NDB-financed projects during the project cycle and ensuring that the procurement is carried out in accordance with the Bank’s Procurement policy and systems, helping build procurement capacity within the Bank departments/ divisions, in member countries and project implementing agencies, conducting dialog with countries and leading in procurement modernization/ reforms.

The Principal Professional, Procurement carries out the assessment of the procurement system in the assigned country(ies), and advises the Chief, Procurement on their suitability for procurement activities financed by the NDB. The incumbent carries out procurement risk assessment and advises mitigation measures, recommending the Chief, Procurement on the country level risks and mitigation measures, capacity building measures in the assigned country(ies) and conducting any policy dialogue of modernization activity(ies) needed. The incumbent takes lead in developing and drafting knowledge products for the Division, ensuring that the reports/outputs from the Division conform to the highest technical standards. The incumbent also supports the Chief, Procurement in Division’s business operations and take on additional responsibilities as needed. 

Purpose (Innovate):
●    Ensures that Procurement Division delivers its responsibilities at the highest level of procurement fiduciary standards.
●    Undertakes comprehensive assessment of the suitability of using country system(s) in Bank financed projects.
●    Reviews requests from procurement professionals for modernization/reforms in Bank member countries.
●    Assesses procurement risks during project implementation and develops mitigation plans.
●    Recommends the Division’s technical position in respect of complex issues.
●    Leads the initiative of digitalization of procurement processes and use of modern technology/ electronic tools to ensure that the division follows efficient and effective tools and techniques for delivery of its responsibilities.   
●    Analyses data for inclusion in reports from the department.
●    Monitors compliance with NDB procurement and other relevant policies and guidance for project processing and implementation. 

Engagement (Advocate):
●    Advises the Chief, Procurement on capacity-building initiatives in the country(ies) of responsibility.
●    Identifies areas of dialog with the member countries and recommends technical assistance on areas that may require Bank’s intervention.
●    Provides comments on technical reports prepared by the Division or referred to the Division.
●    Provides mentorship to Junior members of the Division, as advised by the Chief, Procurement.
●    Reviews inputs on any amendments to the policies, procedures, guidelines and guidance etc. of the Bank.
●    Participates as team member in any working group when so nominated by the Chief, Procurement. 
●    Ensures that the procurement activities are carried out professionally and transparently and all relevant stakeholders are consulted at appropriate stages of the project.

Delivery (Define Project Cycle):
●    Leads the development and update of NDB procurement policy, systems, practice and guidance materials, including staff instructions, procedures/ guidelines, project administrative instructions, technical guidance notes, and other ad hoc guidance on procurement/fiduciary matters and strategies. Reviews other relevant NDB policies to ensure consistency from an operational procurement perspective.
●    Carries-out high-quality operational procurement support services (i.e., project preparation and implementation support) in Bank-financed operations and advancing the use of country procurement systems to enhance development effectiveness and impact.
●    Supports the Chief, Procurement in development, and monitoring of the implementation of, the operational procurement function’s results-based annual work plans covering the general strategy period of 5 years. 
●    Oversees operational support and/or performs procurement due diligence of projects under sovereign guaranteed public sector and non-sovereign guaranteed private sector projects, during processing across the whole project cycle (project procurement assessment, preparation, risk mitigation, procurement analyses, implementation support and evaluation). 
●    Leads Division’s initiatives on streamlining, simplifying and strengthening the NDB systems to enhance team efficiency and effectiveness to deliver procurement support to the NDB program. 
●    Leads digitalization of Bank’s internal operational procurement process and its integration with other digital technology portals.
●    Oversees procurement activities by the Project Implementing Agency(ies) during the entire project cycle, and takes part in identification, preparation, appraisal, supervision and completion missions as appropriate. 
●    Conducts random reviews of procurement transactions of various projects to assure the quality and fiduciary standards of NDB.
●    Helps the borrower agency to prepare procurement strategy for large and complex contracts, project procurement plan and monitors its progress periodically.
●    Conducts prior-review and post-review of contracts as indicated in the procurement plan.
●    Supports Chief, Procurement to deliver the Division’s mandate and program.

Requirements:
●    Master’s degree in Engineering, Procurement, Law, Economics, Management, Finance or any related field. Additional qualification(s) from Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) and Institute for Supply Management (ISM) will be an advantage. 
●    Minimum 9 years of relevant professional experience in public procurement either in a line ministry, an SOE, a multilateral/ bilateral agency or a reputable consulting firm with expertise in procurement.
●    International experience working in several countries is preferred. Experience working in NDB member countries is an advantage. 
●    Strong qualitative and quantitative data analytics skills as applied to procurement.
●    Ability to make professional judgment to determine the optimal procurement arrangements, and proactively monitor the progress of procurement. Capable to proactively make changes as and when needed.
●    Excellent communication skills including oral, written and presentation as well as ability to articulate complex concepts in easy-to-understand language, efficiently communicate with external & internal clients and senior management in a professional and concise manner, and communicate inputs and insights to team that enables the integration of work outputs as part of a coordinated service. 
●    Fluency in English is essential. A working knowledge of any other language used in public procurement in a Bank member country is an advantage.
●    Ability to deliver in time and high-quality that support team efforts and meet client needs under standard working conditions.
●    Ability to provide technical leadership to the team.
●    Ability to work in multi-cultural teams, mentoring future team members, providing guidance and advice.