Job Description

Director, Procurement - Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Belize

About MCA

The Government of Belize (GoB), together with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (“MCC”), is in the process of establishing an independent executing agency called the Millennium Challenge Account – Belize (MCA-B). MCC is a U.S. government agency focused on assisting countries and is dedicated to good governance, economic freedom, and investing in people. The MCA-B will be created by an act of Parliament to undertake the rights, obligations, and responsibilities of the Government of Belize under the Compact, which is expected to be signed in September 2024. The MCA-B is located in Belize City.

Belize compact

In December 2021, MCC’s Board of Directors selected Belize as eligible to develop a five-year grant agreement known as a “compact” that will include two separate projects:

1. The $73.8 million Education Project aims to equitably increase the number of post-primary graduates with the competencies relevant to labor market demands
2. The $21.1 million Energy Project will address the root causes of the high costs of wholesale electricity.

Position Objective

The Procurement Director, under the supervision of the Managing Director for Operations, leads the procurement unit and is overall responsible for the day-to-day management of the Compact’s delivery and implementation of procurement-related services.

Responsibilities

The Director of Procurement will be expected to carry out the following among his/her primary responsibilities:

• Lead the overall Procurement and Grants function of MCA-Belize, including managing the Procurement Agent and ensuring that sufficient support is provided to the procurement unit's operational and programmatic functions to strengthen its ability to deliver on the targets of the Compact, operating in accordance with MCC’ Accountable Entity Procurement Policy and Guidelines and MCC Program Grant Guidelines.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the MCA-Belize, Procurement Specialist, MCC, and outside entities on all procurement and grant activities. Facilitate the interconnected operations between and among all elements of the procurement and grant processes. Synchronize the substance and process elements of procurement and grant activities within required timelines.
• Lead the procurement team and ensure compliance with MCC’s policies. Endorse positivity, sustainability, equity, and trust within the procurement team. Embrace diversity and inclusion within the team.
• Analyze MCA-Belize's operational and programmatic needs and oversee the development of procurement and grant plans and budgets that are consistent with the Compact's overall plans and budgets and aligned with MCA-Belize's needs.
• Develop coordinated efforts to prevent fraud and corruption within MCA-Belize’s procurements and contract management processes and conduct regular training for MCA-Belize staff to clarify procedures and strategies for fraud and corruption prevention.
• Represent MCA-Belize as the primary procurement lead in implementing the Compact program, including identifying initial procurement needs, organizing procurement operations, and reviewing and approving reports as necessary.
• Lead MCA-Belize’s efforts to ensure that all procurements are conducted consistent with MCC’s program procurement policies, requirements, and guidelines and all grants are consistent with MCC’s program grant policies, requirements, and guidelines.
• Develop and sustain the high quality of the procurement and grants documents and contract and grant administration documents throughout the life of the compact and recommend any necessary changes or improvements to ensure they respond to MCA-Belize's operational reality.
• Guide MCA- Belize procurement and program staff and implementing entities on MCC procurement and grant policies, guidelines, and reporting requirements to ensure compliance and transparency, within the context of local legislation and Compact requirements.
• Use strategic thinking while creating and monitoring planned procurements and grants, including works contracts. Identify delayed procurements and grants and provide recommendations to improve procurement planning.
• Ensure the procurement plan is updated regularly. Ensure MIS entries are timely, and that data is of high quality. Conduct data analysis.
• Sustain quality delivery by examining procurement requests, quality of goods, and other relevant documentation to ensure compliance with established work plans and MCC/MCA-Belize standards.
• Evaluate MCA Belize’s and implementing entities’ procurement systems, determine their compliance with MCC standards, identify issues and risks, and support internal and external audit exercises.
• Develop and implement bid challenge and contractor past performance reporting procedures for MCA-Belize procurement, including advising and timely reporting to MCA-Belize’s management and MCC on non-compliance issues.

Required Competencies

• A Bachelor’s degree in business administration, commerce, economics, law, finance, or a related field is required. A master’s degree is a plus.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in the management of the procurement of goods, works, and services is required.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and approving procurement and grant documents and their adherence to international procurement standards.
• Proven excellent leadership and team building and communication skills are required.
• Proven ability as a result-oriented leader who understands procurement, grants, collaboration, compliance, and international development.
• Experience in planning, organizing, and successfully presenting at market outreach is required.
• Demonstrated experience with procurement policies of international development organizations, including, but not limited to, the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, or MCC.
• Proven Fluency and excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are required.

Preferred Competencies

• Experience managing the award and administration of grants.
• Experience successfully managing teams of procurement professionals.

How to apply

To access positions’ profile requirements and submit applications, please visit https://belize-jobs.tenderwell.app/. The following documents should accompany applications:

1. Curriculum vitae containing detailed work experience;
2. Cover letter confirming interest and availability;
3. Soft copies of higher education and professional certificates (if available).

If you encounter challenges when applying online, please contact belize@developmentaid.org for assistance.

The closing date for receiving applications is September 19th, 2024. Only applications received through the online portal (Tenderwell) will be considered. Any applications received through other channels will not be considered. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews.