Partner Assistant

PROJECT BACKGROUND:

The USAID Africa Trade and Investment (ATI) program is designed to bolster the U.S. Government’s ability to boost trade and investment to, from, and within the African continent. The continent-wide program is USAID’s flagship effort in support of the Prosper Africa initiative and will expand and accelerate two-way trade and investment between African nations and the United States. Driven by market demand, ATI embraces innovative approaches to achieve its goals. ATI is designed as a small, core set of centrally coordinated technical and institutional support activities, and a large, flexible performance-based subcontracting and grants under contract facility designed to support the needs and opportunities that USAID Missions and the private sector identify.

ROLE’S PURPOSE:

The Partner Assistant will help the Partner team ensure that all procurement documentation is accurate and complete before goes to finance for payment on a regular basis and achieved according to project deadlines. The individual will ensure that all procurement actions are compliant with FAR and AIDAR regulations.

OBJECTIVES AND DUTIES:

• Provide assistance to the partner team in database entry, procurement tracking, and reporting.
• Maintain integrity of procurement system and files in compliance with DAI practices and policies and USAID rules and regulations.
• Maintain procurement activity tracker and provide regular updates on status to the Partner Manager and relevant technical staff.
• Review procurement documents in TAMIS as well as hard copy files to ensure all backup documents are included in compliance with the project Field Operations Manual, and revise/correct as required.
• Report accurate financial data to the Finance Manager on planned procurement activities.
• Assist with the preparation of source selection memos which provide clear justification for the selection of vendor/local subcontractor.
• Assist with responding to bidders’ queries and feedback on the evaluation process
• Review Procurement documents in SharePoint drive to ensure all relevant documents are present
• Other duties as assigned by Partner Manager or Senior Leadership team.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• B.A. Degree in Business Administration or relevant field
• 5+ years of experience in procurement
• Experience working with international NGOs or donors, such as USAID-funded projects (preferred).
• Knowledge of USG procurement regulations
• Demonstrated ability to work in dynamic environments and achieve development outcomes
• Excellent organizational skills with a willingness to take initiative and be proactive
• Ability to perform high-level duties with a minimum of supervision
• Strong English writing and speaking skills required
• An articulate individual who possesses excellent communications and personnel management skills and who can relate to people at all levels of an organization
• An energetic, forward-thinking and creative individual with high ethical standards and appropriate professional image
• An extremely well organized and self-directed individual with sound technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational focus
• Previous experience with DAI policies, procedures, and systems (TAMIS, etc.) preferred

ORGANIZATION AND VALUES:

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.