Expertise France is the public agency for designing and implementing international technical cooperation projects. The agency operates around four key priorities :

• democratic, economic, and financial governance ;
• peace, stability, and security ;
• climate, agriculture, and sustainable development ;
• health and human development ;

In these areas, Expertise France conducts capacity-building initiatives and manages project implementation, leveraging technical expertise and acting as a project coordinator. This involves combining public sector expertise with private sector skills to drive impactful results. 

Based in Astana, the Procurement Specialist works under direct supervision of the Administrative and Financial Manager in support of the “Team Europe Initiative Digital Connectivity in Central Asia - Soft Pillar Action”.

The Procurement Specialist is responsible for ensuring overall management of procurement procedures and contracts, while ensuring compliance towards Expertise France and the European Union’s rules.

He/she will work on a daily basis with the Project Management Unit (PMU) Team (Team Leader; Deputy Team Leader; Project Assistants; MEAL Officer; Communications Officer, all Country Advisors included in the project, 4x Technical Component Coordinators), will support each component (Specific Objective) and will be in regular contact with the finance and admin teams of DG INTPA and EF HQ.

His/her responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Procurement and contracts management:

·         Develop and update planning and reporting tools with regard to procurements (Procurements Master Plan, respective sections of the project management software, etc.);

·         Support the planning, implementation and monitoring of procurements of services, equipment, and supplies throughout the full procurement lifecycle (identification, formulation, preparation procurement documents, analysis of bids/bidders, evaluation, selection, contract signature, monitoring of implementation and deliverables, invoicing, etc.) ensuring that all processes align with Value for Money (VFM)  principles.

·         Contribute to and design (as appropriate) procurement documentation (feasibility studies, terms of reference, technical specifications, evaluation forms etc.);

·         Ensure harmonization and compliance of the team’s procurement procedures;

·         Manage global contracts at the PMU level;

·         Support the project teams and component coordinators in monitoring the execution of contracts in accordance with their provisions vis-à-vis counterparts, particularly in terms of modifications (amendments and other execution acts), verification operations, and the receipt of deliverables, activities, and services;

·         Participate in monitoring relations with suppliers;

·         Participation in capitalizing on price and supplier lists, as well as documentation in use (import-export, exemption, taxes, etc.).

·         Participation in the analysis of the purchasing environment at the national and regional levels identifying opportunities to improve procurement strategies and enhance Value for Money (VFM) principles.

Expertise France is the French public international cooperation agency. It designs and implements projects which aim to contribute to the balanced development of partner countries, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda and the priorities of France’s external action.

The Team Europe Initiative (TEI) on Digital Connectivity – Soft Pillar is part of the wider TEI on Digital Connectivity in Central Asia programme, funded by the European Union (DG INTPA) for a period of 4 years. The TEI additionally includes 1) a hard connectivity infrastructure pillar and 2) a Twinning instrument, which shall all together provide the conditions for safe and inclusive deployment of satellite connectivity across the region.

The TEI Digital Connectivity Soft Pillar is implemented by a consortium of leading European development agencies, including CFLA (Latvia), CPVA (Lithuania), e-Governance Academy (Estonia), Expertise France, and HAUS Institute (Finland). Expertise France is leading the consortium.

This action is implemented under the Digital for Development (D4D) Hub umbrella, a European platform aimed at strengthening efforts toward an inclusive, safe and sustainable digital world in partner countries.

The project aims to bridge the digital connectivity divide in Central Asia, through the development of an enabling, safe and inclusive environment for satellite connectivity use, with the overall objective of increasing equal access to basic public services and socio-economic inclusion.

The project activities will be implemented with a regional approach and cover Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

The TEI Digital Connectivity Soft Pillar will be implemented in four main Specific Objectives (SOs):

1.       Policies and regulations: support in the development of enabling policy and regulatory environments for digital reforms including digitalization, connectivity and personal data protection;

2.       Connectivity: improve access to public and private connectivity services and strengthen users’ capabilities to benefit from digital public services, with a specific focus on rural areas, gender equality and inclusion;

3.       Digital innovation: foster the creation of a dynamic regional innovation ecosystem and support the development of local digital innovations, in particular satellite-based, to tackle local challenges.

4.       Cybersecurity: support the development of harmonized cybersecurity frameworks and strengthen capacities of the industry stakeholders, as well civil society across the region.

·         University degree in accounting, business administration, law, public procurement or equivalent. A Master’s degree will be an asset;

·         A minimum of 2-years professional experience in procurement management, administrative and financial management of humanitarian and/or development projects or equivalent;

·         Experience working with public donor organisations;

·         Proficiency in English and Russian is required. French will be an asset.

Specific knowledge, experience, skills or competences

·         Excellent command of the fundamentals of international public procurement regulations, particularly in EU-funded projects;

·         Good knowledge of EU rules and regulations. Knowledge of Expertise France rules and regulations will be an asset

 Soft skills

·         Thoroughness, responsiveness, autonomy, adaptability and diplomacy;

·         Ability to prioritise, delegate and organise work;

·         Good interpersonal and communication skills.

WHAT WE OFFER

·         An exciting job in an international environment

·         A local contract for a duration of 12 months (renewable for a total of up to 24 months) based in Astana, with possible field visits in the Central Asia region

A salary will be defined according to the established rates for the position and relevant recognised experience for the function.