Procurement and Contract Management Adviser

Job Description

Australia’s Solomon Islands Resource Facility
The Australian Government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), has contracted Cardno Emerging Markets to establish and manage its multi-sectoral facility. Australia’s Solomon Islands Resource Facility (ASIRF) is currently contracted until December 2021, with an option to extend up until June 2023. ASIRF builds on support previously provided by SIRF (2015 – 2020) while also prioritising new ways of working to ensure Australia’s assistance better achieves service delivery impact in this pandemic context.

Solomon Islands Health Sector Support Program
Since 2008 the Solomon Islands Ministry of Health & Medical Services (MHMS), with the support of development partners, has led a Sector-Wide approach (SWAp) to the delivery of health services in the Solomon Islands.
The goal of the MHMS is to improve the overall health of the people of Solomon Islands. MHMS is responsible for providing a consistently high standard of appropriate clinical care for people in need, as well as reducing the demand for clinical services by providing effective public health programs that focus on prevention.

Australia is the lead donor in the Solomon Islands health sector, and Australian Government funding currently represents 17% of the Solomon Islands recurrent health budget. Australia and 15 other SWAp partners have aligned their support to the objectives of the Solomon Islands National Health Strategic Plan 2016-2020. Other development partners in the health sector are: World Health Organisation (WHO), World Bank, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Government of Japan, Delegation of European Union, Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Fred Hollows Foundation New Zealand. World Vision Solomon Islands, Red Cross Solomon Islands, Save the Children Solomon Islands, and the New Zealand Government.

Under phase 3 of the Health Sector Support Program (HSSP3), Australia is providing AUD98m over five years (2017 – 2021) for direct budget support, performance linked funding and technical assistance.
The overall program goal for HSSP3 is to improve the access and quality of universal health care in Solomon Islands. The three program objectives include:

1. Improved quality and quantity of primary health care.
2. Stronger health systems to support service delivery.
3. Implementation of priority reforms to ensure sustainable service delivery

The role
Government procurement within Solomon Islands line ministries including the MHMS, remains an area which the Australian Government aims to continue providing support through building systems and human capacity to maximise the efficiency of SIG expenditure from all funding sources. Through oversight of Australian-funded procurements, the adviser also plays an important role in mitigating fiduciary and procurement risk for HSSP3 & SIG funding.

The Procurement Division is responsible for centralised procurement including procurement of drugs and dressings, capital works and all general goods and services above SBD100,000.00 in value for the MHMS.
Some key positions within the Procurement Division are currently vacant although the MHMS is working to fill these positions.

The Adviser needs to work closely and collaboratively with the major stakeholders working on Public Financial Management in the health sector, including relevant Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MOFT) staff and Technical Advisers, World Bank Technical Advisers and the contractor accountants performing ex ante payment controls and supplementing accountancy capacity in Provincial Health Divisions and the MHMS Finance Division.

The Adviser will also:

• Assist MHMS with ensuring compliance with SIG and DFAT policies and processes for all procurements, with a focus on procurements using HSSP3 funding.
• Ensure that procurement planning is fully integrated into the MHMS annual planning and budget process, and strengthen regular reporting on the status of the Annual Procurement Plan.
• Support and strengthen Ministerial Tender Board (MTB) Secretariat functions, provide regular reporting and act as DFAT Observer for any DFAT funded procurement.
• Support the delivery of SIG procurement training and work with MHMS Procurement Division staff to implement learning and development plans.
• Work with and build the capacity and capability of the Procurement Division, including provision of advice on training required and the provision of collegiate mentoring and coaching in support of the Procurement Division effectively meeting its operational requirements.
• Build the capacity of systems and individuals across MHMS to undertake procurement, particularly focussing on those areas and Divisions / Units that directly or together with the Procurement Division undertake procurement, contract management and administration and asset management.
• Prepare documentation required in support of the agreed No Objection Letter process at key points in the procurement process for procurements to be funded or co-funded through Australian budget support, within agreed thresholds.

For further information, please copy paste this link to access the Terms of Reference detailing responsibilities and selection criteria: https://bit.ly/3aXSrEJ

About you
You will be a motivated and proactive individual with the right combination of experience, talent, energy and a commitment to technical excellence. You will also have:

• Tertiary qualifications in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Project Management or similar discipline
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in implementation and management of procurement processes and systems at a senior level (preferably in a public sector environment);
• Proven problem solving and risk management skills, with strong judgement on how and when to engage on sensitive matters in the procurement field.
• Demonstrated success in sustainable individual and organizational capacity development, particularly the ability to effectively share knowledge, mentor and coach people, and to motivate a team to achieve shared goals.
• Resilience, flexibility, team player and professional integrity, including the ability to maintain a constructive approach to work and interpersonal dealings, particularly during times of pressure and on sensitive issues.
• Work flexibly and provide coverage to other programs/SIG teams as reasonably required by the Team Leader.
• Understanding of the importance of cross-cutting development issues role in procurement including gender equality, anti-corruption and disability.

Desired experience and knowledge

• Experience in health related procurement;
• Knowledge of infrastructure/construction procurement, contract management, logistics and asset management; and
• Demonstrated success providing advice in a developing country context preferably in the Pacific, small island states or similar context.

Location and travel requirements
The position will be based in Honiara with regular provincial travel required.

About the Organization

About Cardno

We are a global provider of integrated professional services which enrich the physical and social environment for the communities in which we live and work. Our team of multidisciplinary specialists has more than 70 years’ experience in designing, developing and delivering sustainable projects and community advancement programs.

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Please note that Cardno does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or recruitment agencies.

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Cardno is committed to Safety and the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), Child Protection and bribery prevention. We want to engage with the right people to deliver our client programs. As part of our approach you will be subjected to formal background screening, criminal record checks, employment verification, and periodic compliance checks. All Cardno staff receive safety, compliance and safeguards training and are responsible for contributing to a safer working culture.