African Virtual University (AVU) Procurement Consultant Short Term Job in Nairobi Kenya

Short Term Employment: Procurement Consultant

Introduction: The African Virtual University (AVU) is a Pan African Intergovernmental Organization established by charter with the mandate of significantly increasing access to quality higher education and training through the innovative use of information communication technologies. 

A Charter, establishing the AVU as an Intergovernmental Organization, has been signed so far by nineteen (19) African Governments - Kenya, Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, Ghana, Republic of Guinea, Burkina Faso, Niger, South Sudan, Sudan, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Ethiopia and Cape Verde. 

The AVU has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya and a Regional office in Dakar Senegal with Host-Country Agreements and Diplomatic Status with the two governments.

The AVU Business Plan 2009-2014 has two main thrusts: (a) Educational and support services provided on a fee basis; and (b) Not-for-profit development services. 

The Not-for-profit development services aims at building the capacity of AVU Partner Institutions (PIs) with an objective of increasing access to quality education through the following activities: updating and developing content; Open Educational Resources (OER) Development; AVU Capacity Enhancement Program (ACEP); set up/upgrade ODeL centers; developing professional networks through Communities of Practices; Research and Development; and Quality Evaluation and Benchmarking.

Some of the not-for-profit development services were delivered from 2005 to 2011 through the AVU Multinational Project I, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and implemented in 10 African countries with 12 participating institutions.

The AfDB is funding a second phase of the Multinational Project which will build on the first phase and will extend its benefits to more countries. 

The overall objective of the AVU Multinational Project II is to strengthen the capacity of the AVU and a network of 27 institutions to deliver and manage quality ICT integrated education and training opportunities in 21 African countries. 

The project has the following activities: 

(1) Establishment of new Open Distance and eLearning (ODeL) Centres and/or upgrading of exiting AVU Learning Centres as well as Internet connectivity provision at AVU Partner Institutions; 

(2) Development and/or improvement, and delivery of four ICT integrated Programs: AVU Capacity Enhancement Program (ACEP); Teacher Education, Computer Science, and Peace and Conflict Resolution; 

(3) Gender Mainstreaming 

(4) Research and Development; 

(5) Promotion and development of Open Education Resources (OERs); and 

(6) Enhancement of AVU Capacity .

The AVU Multinational Project II is being implemented in 27 AVU Partner Institutions in the following 21 countries: nine (9) Francophone African Countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal; four (4) Lusophone African Countries: Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau and Mozambique; and eight (8) Anglophone African Countries: Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, and Tanzania.

The project is now is its third year and AVU needs to hire a short term consultant at senior level 

2.0 Scope of Work

The consultant will be expected to carry out and deliver on the following responsibilities:

• Source goods and services, preparing tender documents (ITB, ITQ, and RFP)
• Evaluate tenders and proposals for goods, services and Consultancies which includes examining bid evaluation reports as well as technical and financial proposals and make recommendations.
• Compile proper procurement documentations for past and ongoing short-term contracts.
• Design a procurement document management system
• Assist in the developments and drawing of terms of references (TORs) for Service Contracts and Consultancies.
• Monitor and appraise suppliers to ensure compliance to specifications and deliver schedules.
• Draw contracts and take Custody of all service and goods contracts at AVU
• Prepare biweekly and monthly Procurement Reports
• Evaluate and review the current Procurement and work plans.
• Advice the AVU Tender Committee on issue related to procurement procedures for goods and services.
• Design the most appropriate modalities for the procurement of goods and services in accordance with the AfDB Procurement rules and procedures, or in accordance of AVU procurement rules and procedures where applicable.

3.0. Expected Deliverables

• Contract for all goods and services procured in a procedural manner
• Supplies, goods and services to support the operations of the Project.
• Procurement documentations for past and ongoing short-term contracts filed appropriately
• A Procurement Documents’ Management System established
• Updated AfDB Project Procurement plan

4.0. Qualifications

• A Degree in Business Administration or related field plus a professional qualification in procurement.
• At least 5 years’ working experience at a senior procurement position in an inter-Governmental Organisation, Development Agencies or other international organizations
• Proven working experience and knowledge of multilateral donors like AfDB and World Bank Procedures is essential.
• Proven excellent computer skills especially in MS Excel, Power Point and MS Project.
• Fluency in reading, writing and speaking in English
• Knowledge of French or Portuguese is an added advantage

5.0. Modalities of Work of the Procurement Consultant: The Consultant will dedicate 8 hours in a day for 5 days a week.

6.0. Duration of the Consultancy: Two to three months

7.0. Reporting: The consultant will work under the supervision of the AVU Rector or such other person as the client may designate from time to time in writing.

8.0 Payment to the Consultant: The Consultant will be paid per month at a rate commensurate with their qualification and experience.

The successful candidate will be appointed for TWO to THREE months.

How to Apply

Application must include an application letter and detailed curriculum vitae with: a telephone number; email and residential addresses; and names with contact addresses of three professional references. 

Applications should be sent to job@avu.org and must have Procurement Consultant as the email subject All inquiries should be sent to avuhr@avu.org

The closing date for this application is August 12th 2014 at 18:00 East African Time (UTC/GMT + 3)

Note: ONLY shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The African Virtual University (AVU) www.avu.org is an equal opportunity employer