Procurement Specialist

Project Background:

The Palestinian Liberation Organization has received a grant from the International Development Association (IDA) in the amount of USD 20 million for the benefit of the Palestinian Authority (PA) to finance the Digital West Bank & Gaza Project (the Project). The Project will seek to produce concrete and tangible results for the Palestinians through increased access to high-speed broadband services and increased access to selected e-services to citizens and businesses. The project will focus on key points to unleash digital transformation in WB&G addressing some of the bilateral challenges allowing digital transformation to achieve its full potential. It will strengthen the digital resilience of WB&G and the ability of the PA to respond to shocks, such as COVID-19.

The project takes a multi-disciplinary approach to support the digital transformation, Covid recovery and resilience of West Bank and Gaza. The project will be implemented and overseen by the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology (MTIT). Individual activities are to be implemented by MTIT and the High Council on Public Procurement Policies (HCPPP), over a 5-year period.

The Project has the following four components:

1. Enabling legal and regulatory environment for Digital Economy; mainly institutional development including the development of a Palestinian Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and root Certificate Authority; legal and regulatory framework; and capacity building.
2. Implementing Digital Infrastructure Solutions for Emergency Response, Recovery and Resilience which includes development of an emergency response center and expanding internet connectivity. 
3. Fostering User Centered E-Service Delivery; which includes the establishment of a whole of government digital transformation strategy, support for a digital public platform and prioritization, simplification and digitization of services, launch of pilot e-services, and implementation of a first phase of an e-Government Procurement (e-GP) System; and
4. Project Management which will support the establishment of a project management unit in MTIT

e-Government Procurement System:

Building on the progress towards establishing a modern public procurement system by the Palestinian Authority, sub-component 3.3 of the Project will support the development of a first phase of an e-GP System by supporting the development of priority functionalities and their implementation in selected high spending agencies. The project will finance (i) software development; (ii) upgrading of existing software; (iii) hiring of technical experts to support HCPPP in developing software reference architecture, business process engineering and in managing e-GP development and implementation; (iv) capacity development and training of target agencies and the private sector entities; (v) e-GP communication and awareness campaign; (vi) help desk service; (vii) development of e-GP business model; and (viii) development of sustainable procurement policy. 

Priority functionalities will include: (i) Digitization of National Standard Bidding Documents (SBDs) for various types of procurement (works, goods, consultants' services, non-consulting services and SBDs for Framework Agreements of Common-Use Goods) recently approved by the Cabinet; (ii) Payment for Documents, Registration or Other Services; (iii) Tender Preparation; (iv) Tender Submission; (v) Receipt of Tenders; (vi) Tender Opening; (vii) Tender Evaluation Workflow; (viii) Notice of Awards; (ix) Acceptance and Signing of Contract; and (x) Contract Tracking. In addition, an e-Catalogue module which provides information on commonly procured goods and services and facilitates on-line ordering from selected suppliers, will be developed and shall be built on one of the common international classification codes (e.g. United Nations Standard Products and Services Code -UNSPCS). 

This sub-component will be implemented by the HCPPP, through a dedicated Project Implementation Team (PIT) to be established under the Project. The PIT will be housed in HCPPP and it will responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the e-GP sub-component in coordination with HCPPP staff and other relevant stakeholders. It will prepare and submit periodic progress and financial reports to the PMU in MTIT, which would then consolidate and submit to the Bank. The PIT will comprise an e-GP Project Manager, a Procurement Specialist, an ICT Specialist, and an Administrative Officer. Other technical experts in procurement, business process re-engineering (BPR), change management, communications, etc. will be hired throughout implementation. 

In addition to the PIT, a multi-agency advisory technical team chaired by HCPPP and comprised of procurement and ICT officials (Champions) from key government agencies will be to advise on planning, development and implementation of e-GP system.

Assignment Objective:

HCPPP is considering the appointment of Procurement Specialist as part of Project Implementation Team (PIT). 

Essential Required Qualifications, Skills, knowledge and Competencies:

• At least a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Engineering, Business Administration, Procurement, Purchasing Management, Supply Chain Management, or any other related field;
• At least 8 years of relevant experience on projects financed by international agencies; Experience in World Bank financed projects and World Bank procurement processes and procedures highly desirable.
• Excellent knowledge of technical and operational aspects of procurement implementation;
• Good knowledge of the local procurement procedures;
• Strong supervisory and staff support skills. Ability to motivate and lead employees and encourage decisions to be made within a team environment;
• Strong communication skills and persuasiveness in presenting, discussing and resolving difficult issues, both orally and in writing.
• Excellent computer skills;
• Fluency in English and excellent report writing; and
• The ability to work under pressure within teamwork arrangements.