Director, Public Procurement

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates to fill the position of Director, Public Procurement.

The Director, Public Procurement is responsible for managing, coordinating, and executing all procurement activities on behalf of the Universal Service Fund to support its operations and to ensure transparency, objectivity, integrity, economy and efficiency; in keeping with the relevant polices, legislation, regulations and guidelines.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Lead the development of the Operational Plan and work programme for the Procurement Unit.
• Act as purchasing agent on behalf of the Fund.
• Prepare and administer the Fund’s Annual Procurement Plan.
• Co-ordinate reports for submission to the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Integrity Commission, Public Procurement Commission, and Cabinet.
• Represent the Unit at Procurement and Contract Award Committees and Board meetings.
• Represent the organization at the ICT Sector Committee, PPC, and Cabinet Infrastructure Committee Meetings.
• Prepare Procurement Policies and Procedures for the Fund.
• Monitor and ensure that procurement practices conform to the Financial Administration and Audit (FAA) Act, the Public Procurement Act, and Government Procurement Procedures/Guidelines.
• Co-ordinate and conduct procurement compliance reviews.
• Oversee and manage the entire lifecycle of procurement-initiated contracts, ensuring compliance with terms and conditions.
• Conduct regular reviews and audits of contracts to ensure adherence to procurement policies and legal requirements.
• Provide strategic guidance on contract management best practices to procurement team members.
• Acts as eProcurement Co-ordinator and Lead Evaluator.
• Oversee the tendering process.
• Review contract award recommendations.
• Oversee the process of receiving, verifying, and processing invoices related to procurement activities.
• Procure goods and services on a competitive basis without compromising quality and ensure proper storage.
• Evaluate the performance of the procurement process along with Heads of Department and Procurement Committee Members.
• Monitor and maintain contacts in the commodity market to keep abreast of price movements, technological improvements, and changes.
• Monitor the issuing of purchase orders and follow up for receipt/delivery of goods and/or services.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of direct reports, prepare performance appraisals and recommend and/or initiate corrective action.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Management Studies, Public Administration, Public Sector Management, Economics, Accounts, or related field.
• Certificate in Public Procurement: UNDP/CIPS Level 3 or INPRI Level 4.
• Five (5) years of work experience in the public procurement of goods and services, to include experience managing the procurement function.
• Sound knowledge of the Government’s Public Procurement Act, 2015 and Regulations.
• Knowledge of Project Management.
• Sound knowledge of the Financial Administration and Audit (FAA) Act and associated regulatory acts.
• Knowledge of Budget Preparation, Contract Management and Tender Management.
• Sound knowledge of the Government of Jamaica Electronic Procurement (GOJEP) system.
• Sound knowledge of the Contractor & Consultant Performance Evaluation Policy (CCPEP).