COMFWB was established in recognition of the critical role women play in economic development and the need to ensure their full inclusion in regional integration efforts. Its mandate is to champion the improvement of women’s economic conditions and facilitate their equal participation in national and regional economies. COMFWB serves as a facilitative, coordinative, and catalytic platform, creating an enabling environment for women-owned enterprises to thrive within COMESA and beyond. It provides a forum for knowledge exchange and promotes enterprise growth through targeted interventions such as technical assistance, capacity building, access to finance, export promotion, market research, and investment facilitation.

To advance its strategic objectives, COMFWB is seeking to recruit qualified and experienced professionals to join its Secretariat in Lilongwe, Malawi. These positions offer an opportunity to contribute to a transformative agenda that empowers women entrepreneurs and strengthens regional economic integration. Applications are sought of qualified and experienced professionals for the 3 below vacant positions:

JOB VACANCY 3:  Procurement Expert

JOB TITLE:  Procurement expert
GRADE:  Professional level
SALARY: US$24000 Per annum – All inclusive
INSTITUTION: COMFWB, COMESA Federation of Women in Business
DUTY STATION: Lilongwe, Malawi
CONTRACT DURATION: Two (2) years with the possibility of extension upon satisfactory performance.
REPORTING TO: Director of Programme Management

SCOPE OF WORK

Support the office of COMFWB in undertaking administrative services such as procurement, management of office assets and liaison with the Government of the Republic of Malawi on any pertinent emerging issues.   

Key Tasks

1. Manage the procurement process in line with established procedures whilst ensuring economic, efficient, transparent, fair, accountable, and competitive process from inception up to contract completion, providing the needed procedural and technical guidance in all stages of the procurement cycle.
2. Develop and update the COMFWB procurement plans and the COYWA /BIAYWE procurement plan on a regular basis and implement the plans.
3. Prepare documentation required to facilitate programme operations, including request for expression of interest, procurement notices, bidding documents, tender evaluation reports, contracts and other related documents.
4. Act as Secretary to the Procurement Committee and prepare reports of procurements.
5. Analyse questions from bidders, suppliers and contractors on bidding and award issues
6. Oversee Logistics, Transport and Fleet Management
7. Record of all purchase transactions in the SUN Accounting System.
8. Maintain an organized filing and documentation system that ensures all procurement documents are well filed and in safe custody.
9. Match Purchase Orders, Goods Received, Notes and Invoices prior to these documents being reviewed by the Head of Procurement.
10. Ensure contract Management by putting in place contract implementation tracking tools and review mechanisms.
11. Take the lead on all aspects of procurement for the project and for the requirements specified in the project documents including ensuring that all publications and approvals for all stages of the project are obtained and documented.
    1. Arrange Conference Services
    2. Identifying and compiling database of freelance translators.
    3. Providing interpretation services from the database of compete freelance translators.
    4. Ensuring that invitations and documentation are timely sent to meeting participants.
    5. Compiles and circulates calendars of conferences and other events.
    6. Participates in planning and coordination of meetings with Member States; and
    7. Oversee the production of documents for conferences and ensure timely delivery to Member States and Chapters during meetings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS ANDEXPERIENCE‍

The applicant should have the following qualifications:

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Commerce, Business Administration, Economics, Purchasing and Supplies or any other related field
• A professional qualification in Procurement such as Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS-UK) or other similar national/international professional qualifications is a must if the undergraduate degree is not in a procurement or supply chain field; and
• Possession of a Master’s degree in any of the above fields or related fields will be an added advantage.

4. WORKING LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT FOR THE POSITIONS

Applicants Must be fluent in either English or French or Arabic (speaking and writing). A combination of any two or all these languages will be an added advantage.

5. ELIGIBILITY FOR APPLICATION

Applicants for the position of Procurement expert must be citizens of any COMESA member State.

• Manage the procurement process in line with established procedures whilst ensuring economic, efficient, transparent, fair, accountable, and competitive process from inception up to contract completion, providing the needed procedural and technical guidance in all stages of the procurement cycle.
• Develop and update the COMFWB procurement plans and the COYWA /BIAYWE procurement plan on a regular basis and implement the plans.
• Prepare documentation required to facilitate programme operations, including request for expression of interest, procurement notices, bidding documents, tender evaluation reports, contracts and other related documents.
• Act as Secretary to the Procurement Committee and prepare reports of procurements.
• Analyse questions from bidders, suppliers and contractors on bidding and award issues
• Oversee Logistics, Transport and Fleet Management
• Record of all purchase transactions in the SUN Accounting System.
• Maintain an organized filing and documentation system that ensures all procurement documents are well filed and in safe custody.
• Match Purchase Orders, Goods Received, Notes and Invoices prior to these documents being reviewed by the Head of Procurement.
• Ensure contract Management by putting in place contract implementation tracking tools and review mechanisms.
• Take the lead on all aspects of procurement for the project and for the requirements specified in the project documents including ensuring that all publications and approvals for all stages of the project are obtained and documented.
• Arrange Conference Services
• Identifying and compiling database of freelance translators.
• Providing interpretation services from the database of compete freelance translators.
• Ensuring that invitations and documentation are timely sent to meeting participants.
• Compiles and circulates calendars of conferences and other events.
• Participates in planning and coordination of meetings with Member States; and
• Oversee the production of documents for conferences and ensure timely delivery to Member States and Chapters during meetings.

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Commerce, Business Administration, Economics, Purchasing and Supplies or any other related field
• A professional qualification in Procurement such as Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS-UK) or other similar national/international professional qualifications is a must if the undergraduate degree is not in a procurement or supply chain field; and
• Possession of a Master’s degree in any of the above fields or related fields will be an added advantage.
• Fluent in either English or French or Arabic (speaking and writing). A combination of any two or all these languages will be an added advantage.