Procurement Officer (Full-time Ngo Job) – Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO)

Job Title: Procurement Officer

Location: Mbale, Uganda
Company: Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO)
Employment Type: Full-time
Project: USAID-Funded OVC North East Activity
Application Deadline: 4th November 2024, 5 pm

Job Overview:

The Procurement Officer will oversee procurement activities, including sourcing, evaluation, order placement, and vendor follow-up, in compliance with USAID rules and UWESO policies. The role involves ensuring cost-effective procurement practices for the USAID-funded OVC North East Activity to support service delivery and program implementation.

Key Responsibilities:

Procurement and Supply Chain Management:

• Review and approve procurement requests and ensure proper authorization and budget codes.
• Manage relationships with vendors and ensure compliance with contracts and service agreements.
• Support timely procurement for field offices, in line with approved procurement plans.
• Participate in tender evaluations and make recommendations for awards.
• Source suppliers to create a transparent, competitive vendor database.
• Issue bids, follow up on purchase orders, and ensure timely delivery of goods and services.
• Provide feedback to requesters on procurement requisitions and delivery timelines.
• Liaise with the finance department for vendor payments, ensuring compliance with terms and conditions.
• Conduct market surveys as per UWESO guidelines.
• Organize documentation for procurement committee meetings and file minutes.
• Provide technical support for contract management and specification development.

Reporting and Documentation:

• Update the procurement tracker to keep teams informed of procurement statuses.
• Maintain an organized e-filing system for all procurement-related documents.
• Monitor supplier performance, track contracts, and maintain procurement documentation.
• Ensure transparency by maintaining an accurate document trail for all procurement activities.
• Prepare reports and facilitate document retrieval when needed.

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Procurement and Logistics Management or a related field.
• Partial qualification in professional certification such as CIPS is an advantage.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in procurement and logistics management in a USAID-funded activity.
• Familiarity with international and national procurement regulations and local market conditions.
• Knowledge of contract terms and the ability to execute purchase orders.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); experience with Microsoft Dynamics (Navision) is an advantage.
• Strong planning, coordination, and analytical skills.
• Ethical conduct with a focus on transparency and accountability.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills.
• Willingness to travel and stay in remote areas for extended periods.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy:

UWESO is an equal opportunity employer, offering fair employment without discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, or disability unrelated to job requirements.

Anti-Corruption and Safeguarding Policies:

UWESO has a zero-tolerance policy against fraud, corruption, and exploitation. Staff and vendors are expected to uphold high ethical standards, and recruitment is subject to thorough vetting to ensure safeguarding compliance.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should send their cover letter and CV (combined in a single PDF document of no more than 5MB) to jobs@uweso.org by 4th November 2024, 5 pm. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Attempts to influence the recruitment process will lead to disqualification.

About UWESO:
Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans (UWESO) is an NGO founded in 1986, initially providing relief to orphans affected by civil strife and the HIV/AIDS pandemic. It has since evolved into a child rights organization, addressing the needs of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) nationally.