Legal Procurement Advisor

Organisation:                    Austrian Development Agency

Project Title:                     IGAD Promoting Peace & Stability in the Horn of Africa Region (IPPSHAR)[1]

Position:                            Legal Procurement Advisor 

Type of Contract:              full time

Starting date:                    July 2022

Contract period:                15 months

Location:                            Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with occasional travels to Djibouti

[1]  IGAD is one of eight Regional Economic Communities (RECs) under the framework of the African Union. Similar to the other RECs, IGAD is composed of member states with the overarching goal to foster closer integration among themselves in a particular region. IGAD member states currently comprise Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan and Uganda.

The Austrian Development Agency (ADA) is the operational unit of the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC). It is in charge of implementing bilateral programmes and projects in ADC's partner countries and administers the budget earmarked for this. Under the ‘European Union Emergency Trust Fund (EUTF) for Stability and addressing roots causes of irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa’ ADA has been delegated by the European Commission to manage the funding for the implementation of the regional program entitled “IGAD Promoting Peace and Stability in the Horn of Africa Region” (IPPSHAR).

For the implementation of this regional programme amounting to EUR 28 Mio (EU TF: EUR 25 Mio, ADA: EUR 1 Mio, Sida: EUR 1 Mio, NL: 1.144 Mio) ADA is looking for a Team Leader who will be based in the IGAD premises in Addis Ababa, supervise a team of five professionals and work in close cooperation with the IGAD Peace & Security team.

The overall objective of the programme is to contribute to achieving sustainable peace, security and stability for the attainment of economic integration and development of the IGAD region.

The specific objectives are:

• To enhance the IGAD Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanism (CEWARN) systems, so that there is an improvement in the quantity and quality of the information collected, in data analysis, and early response action
• To enable IGAD and national governments in the region to predict, prevent, and address transnational security threats
• To enhance the capacity of IGAD and national governments of the region on preventive diplomacy, mediation and civilian peace building
• To enhance the implementation effectiveness of IGAD's Peace and Security Division and units

The main focus will be the institutional strengthening and capacity development of IGAD’s Peace & Security Division and units and in particular of corresponding IGAD member states’ institutions through provision of technical assistance, analysis, strategic and operational guidance & cooperation, partnership building as well as setting up effective financing instruments in support of IGAD’s peace & conflict prevention initiatives such as the Rapid Response Fund (RRF), Mediation and others. 

The programme constitutes an integral part of IGAD’s multi-year peace and security programme. Hence, coordination with other IGAD, EU and other Development Partners’ funded programmes is essential for planning, budgeting and implementing the activities under the Action as well as for monitoring and evaluating sustainable impact of IGAD and EU efforts to contribute to peace, security and stability in the Horn of Africa region.

The Legal and Procurement Advisor (LPA) is responsible for providing legal advice and legal assessments about procurement and contract compliance to the IGAD Peace and Security Division und units and the ADA Team on IPPSHAR´s procurement activities and contract executions. She/he will ensure adherence to EU PRAG procurement regulations for all procurement activities carried out by IGAD and will ensure adherence to applicable procurement regulations for all IPPSHAR activities carried out by the ADA IPPSHAR Team. The LPA will report to the ADA IPPSHAR Team Leader.

She/he has the following functions and duties:

• Provide legal procurement advice and technical assistance to IGAD staff as outlined in the Project Operation Manual (POM) agreed with IGAD  related to procurement according to EU PRAG procurement regulations, including:  assisting IGAD in decisions on applicable tender procedures, in the development of tender dossiers and documents (including TOR, selection criteria, call announcements, setting-up procurement evaluation committee, determination of bid submission periods, drawing up shortlists, answers to bidders’ requests for clarification, presence at opening of offers, participation at negotiations with bidders if applicable, all communications with bidders, supervision of examination of offers, exclusion and selection of offers, etc.) and in carrying out all relevant steps of a pending procedure
• Support capacity development on IGAD procurement processes in compliance with EU regulations and international standards and provide feedback, support and legal recommendations to IGAD, IGAD Heads of Programmes as well as relevant observations to the ADA Procurement and Finance Compliance Officers:
  • Design and provide professional training to IGAD PSD and units in collaboration with the IGAD HQ head of procurement to increase the practical skills and knowledge of tools and methods to implement a sound procurement and contract management,
  • Provide coaching, mentorship and technical support through customized and contextualized hands-on support to IGAD PSD units and units in collaboration with the IGAD HQ head of procurement to improve on procurement and contract management practices.
• Closely supervise and monitor any IGAD procurement processes under IPPSHAR and support the ADA Procurement and Finance Compliance Officers and the ADA Team Leader in ex-ante control and approval processes and contract management in regard to ADA vetting of IGAD procurement processes
• Ensure adherence to applicable procurement regulations for procurement carried out by the ADA Team and support the ADA Team with legal procurement advice where required
• Provide legal procurement advice and support to the ADA Grants Expert and IGAD in the implementation of the IPPSHAR subgrants as outlined in the subgrants Standard Operational Manuals (SOPs) agreed with IGAD -related to procurement according to EU PRAG procurement regulations.
• Support the ADA Team Leader in contract negotiations for third party grant agreements, if required
• Work closely with the IGAD legal and procurement department especially in regard to streamlining effective processes and structures in support of the envisaged compliance with the EU 7 pillar assessment

Job requirements

• At least 7 years proven professional experience in the field of public procurement and contract management
• Demonstrated multiannual experience in the application of EU PRAG regulations (“Practical guide to contract procedures for European Union external actions”)
• Advanced University degree in Law, Business or Public Administration or closely related field
• Advanced degree in public procurement law is an asset
• Profound knowledge of EU public procurement standards and of the principles and practices of governmental procurement
• Demonstrated ability in providing support to capacity development of public institutions
• Excellent writing, negotiation, facilitation and communication skills
• Gender and diversity competence
• Excellent English required, German is an additional asset
• Previous working experience on EU-funded projects is an asset

Applications must be sent to addis.application@ada.gv.at by 06 Mai 2022, indicating “Legal Procurement Advisor IPPSHAR” in their subject and including the interested candidate’s CV in English language, a motivation letter, and name, contacts, working relationship of 3 references (at least one referee your direct supervisor). Only selected candidates will be contacted.