Junior Procurement and Contracting Specialist Full Time NEW

Junior Procurement and Contracting Specialist

Contract duration: Until 30.11.2025

Application deadline: 12/04/2025

Duty station: Jigjiga, Somali Region

Brief Description of the project

GIZ supports the Ethiopian Government in various areas, increasingly also in the Ethiopian lowlands, which account for nearly 60% of Ethiopia’s land area. They are inhabited by more than 18 million (agro-)pastoralists, and people who create their livelihood from related professions.

Due to population growth and the increasingly frequent occurrence of extreme weather events, this livelihood system is increasingly put at risk and the people, their livestock and the harvests have become increasingly vulnerable. Extensive resource use like overgrazing and deforestation causes food insecurity, soil degradation, and erosion. The result are dry valleys, in which rainwater flows quickly out of the area before being able to infiltrate into the soil. This further exacerbates desertification and food insecurity. To address this issue, the Dry Valley Rehabilitation and Productive Use (DVRPU) approach was developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and the Bureaus of Agriculture (BoA) in Afar and Somali regions.

The Capacity Development for Strengthening Drought Resilience (CDSDR) Project has started its third phase. It promotes the DVRPU approach with a series of technical, biological, economic, social, institutional, and managerial measures applied to rehabilitate entire dry valleys for the benefit of the inhabitants and their animals. Besides upscaling of the approach in Somali and Afar regions, it will expand its application to Oromia and SNNPR regions.

The approach increases the availability of soil moisture and soil fertility through flood events thereby increasing the window for increased farm productivity and diversified cropping systems.

Responsibilities and Duties

Procurement:

1. Identify and process procurement needs in coordination with the regional program coordinator and project manager, and assist in working on all job orders within your remit.
2. Independently handle procurement up to €1,000, ensuring compliance with GIZ rules and regulations, and assist with procurements exceeding €1,000 via the project office in Addis Ababa. Clearly communicate relevant requirements, conditions, and restrictions in terms of your capacity to act, with due regard for compliance rules and P+R.
3. Ensure timely procurement procedures by supporting the procurement unit and country office with locally floated procurements, while providing advisory support to managers and staff in the thematic area—particularly on services, materials, equipment, customs declarations, and vehicle registration.
4. Organize and document quotation openings, prepare evaluation reports for the procurement committee, and confirm product quality to meet project specifications.
5. Maintain accurate procurement documentation in line with GIZ rules, including tendering information and follow-ups on audit findings.
6. In consultation with your line manager, research and identify potential vendors and suppliers in GIZ-assisted areas within the Somali region, obtain and evaluate bids, and track procurement orders to ensure timely delivery.
7. Assist auditors by providing necessary documentation, supporting audit follow-ups, and contributing to ongoing knowledge management in procurement-related tasks.

Contracts (in coordination with the Addis Ababa project office)

1. Manage and verify contract documents to ensure correctness and completeness, confirm their receipt, and support experienced specialists in awarding contracts in accordance with legal, contractual, socio-political, and corporate policy requirements (P+R). Monitor the processing and fulfilment of those contracts.
2. Address queries from internal clients, providers, and suppliers related to contracts and procurement, and facilitate smooth process flow to ensure efficient coordination of contracting and procurement tasks.
3. In close consultation with project and programme teams, clarify contract-related procurement requirements and provide guidance on contract award procedures to develop appropriate solutions.
4. Collaborate with internal and external colleagues to ensure accurate information flow across all areas of responsibility.
5. Participate in meetings related to contracts, procurement, and logistics, providing updates and insights. Refer issues to other departments or units as needed to resolve matters promptly.
6. In coordination with your team colleagues and line manager, ensure all contract-related issues are handled promptly and competently. Resolve problems based on existing rules and escalate complex challenges as necessary.
7. Maintain proper administration of all processes related to contracts, ensuring adherence to organizational protocols. Contribute to ongoing process development within your remit and take responsibility for knowledge management by preparing and sharing documentation. Support other colleagues in familiarising themselves with related tasks, as needed.
8. Perform tasks assigned by your line manager, as required.
9. May, on occasion, safely and responsibly drive assigned vehicles to transport GIZ staff, visitors, and partners to official destinations.

Clerical services

1. Report any damage to office equipment to the office manager and organize necessary service or repairs as requested.
2. Label files according to GIZ filing rules to ensure proper document organization.
3. Photocopy and scan documents as needed to support office operations.
4. Perform other official duties and tasks as directed by the regional team superiors.

Other duties/additional tasks

The expert performs other duties and tasks at the request of the management.

Qualifications

• Certificate/diploma or similar qualification from a recognised clerical college. A degree in accounting / finance /procurement is advantageous

Professional experience

• At least 1-years’ professional experience in a comparable position

Other knowledge, additional competencies

1. Good working knowledge of ITC technologies (related software, phone, fax, email, the internet) and computer applications (e.g. MS Office);
2. Willingness to upskill as required by the tasks to be performed – corresponding measures are agreed with management.
3. Proven experience with all MS-office products

Other knowledge, additional competencies

1. Good English language skills required.
2. Somali and other regional language skills are an advantage.
3. Knowledge of government institutions active in natural resource management and pastoralism in Somali is an advantage.
4. Readiness to work in rural lowland environments.
5. High degree of initiative, integrity, and accountability.
6. Self-organized, with strong interpersonal skills, and a focus on results.
7. Ability to work structured and maintain the overview in a complex environment; ability to work independently and as part of a team; ability to work under time pressure; stress tolerance and patience.
8. High work ethic and willingness to travel, discipline and punctuality.