Procurement Expert

Background

At Nicholas O'Dwyer, sustainability is at the core of our work. If you are looking to advance your career in a socially responsible company, which has a proven track record over 90 years, and is committed to creating a sustainable planet, we invite you to be part of our team.

Our mission is to provide innovative and reliable solutions using cutting edge technology and expertise, to ensure project success and employee satisfaction. We deliver infrastructure projects in water, wastewater, transportation, civil and structural engineering, flood protection, and energy including renewables. With headquarters in Ireland, we also operate in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

As part of the RSK Group, an amalgamation of over 200 companies with more than 17,000 employees, we benefit from a global network of opportunities while retaining our brand and autonomy.

Project Overview

This strategic initiative is a critical pillar of the Federated States of Micronesia’s (FSM) national resilience strategy, aiming to secure sustainable water and sanitation services across a highly vulnerable archipelago of over 600 islands. Under the Water Security and Resilience Improvement Project, this Project Readiness Financing (PRF) assignment is designed to address the urgent challenges of climate change: including sea-level rise, saline intrusion, and extreme weather, by preparing high-priority, climate-resilient infrastructure investments across the states of Chuuk, Pohnpei, Yap, and Kosrae.

As part of the Detailed Engineering Design (DED) consultancy, your primary responsibility will be to provide high-level technical, environmental and social safeguards, and strategic management services to the Department of Resources and Development (DoRD) and its Project Management Unit (PMU). This assignment focuses on preparing feasibility studies, and detailed engineering designs aligned with the ADF14 Thematic Window, as well the preparation of financial, social, environmental safeguards deliverables to ensure alignment with ADB’s Due Diligence framework. The goal is to ensure that all project outputs are implemented effectively, on schedule, and in strict compliance with Asian Development Bank (ADB) criteria and the requirements of potential co-financing partners (GCF, EU, DFAT). This is a unique opportunity to lead a transformative programme with a significant national impact on climate resilience in the Pacific.

We are currently seeking a highly qualified International Procurement Expert with a minimum of 10 years' professional experience to join our team for the delivery of these services. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of MDB-funded project requirements and a proven ability to design context-specific procurement strategies that address the unique challenges of Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Drafting a context-specific strategic procurement planning report, focusing on sustainable and innovative approaches including local participation and early market engagement, as per ADB templates.
• Preparing bidding documents and providing support during every stage of the bidding process, including detailed bid evaluation.
• Advising on contract management and ensuring all procurement activities maintain strict alignment with the ADB Procurement Policy (2017) and Procurement Directive (2026).
• Familiarizing with and ensuring compliance with the FSM Financial Management Regulations (May 2021).
• Leading the transfer of knowledge and building procurement capacity of the IA procurement focal points and relevant staff.
• Utilizing merit point criteria as a tool for evaluation within the drafting of bidding documents to address limited contractor capacity in small markets.
• Providing technical support and strategic guidance throughout the project procurement lifecycle to ensure feasibility and transparency.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience Required

• Advanced degree or professional certification in Procurement, Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years’ professional experience in procurement, with at least 5 years specifically in MDB-funded infrastructure projects.
• Proven experience in procurement within small island contexts (SIDS) or remote markets where contractor capacity is limited.
• Deep conversance with the ADB Procurement Policy (2017) and the Procurement Directive for ADB Borrowers (2026).
• Demonstrated expertise in drafting bidding documents with merit point criteria and strategic procurement planning.
• Familiarity with FSM Financial Management Regulations (May 2021) or similar regional regulatory frameworks.
• Excellent communication and coordination skills, with the ability to lead capacity-building initiatives for national staff.