SMALLHOLDER AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT II – REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST : PROCUREMENT SPECIALIST  

Kingdom of Lesotho 

           MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION

                        SMALLHOLDER AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT II

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST 

(CONSULTING SERVICES- INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS SELECTION METHOD) 

LOAN NO:                      P164486 

CREDIT NO:                   IDA -63580 -LS 

ASSIGNMENT TITLE:   PROCUREMENT SPECIALIST                           

REFERENCE NO:           

DURATION:              :         12 MONTHS 

REPORTING TO      :      PROJECT DIRECTOR 

BACKGROUND 

The Government of Lesotho is implementing the Smallholder Agricultural Development Project (SADP) 2 with financial support from the World Bank, the Government of Japan and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The project covers ten districts – Maseru, Leribe, Botha-Bothe, Mokhotlong, Thaba-Tseka, Berea Mafeteng, Mohale’sHoek, Quthing and Qacha’sNek. SADP is coordinated by the Project Management unit (PMU) based in Maseru. 

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Under direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Procurement Specialist is responsible for coordinating, planning, execution and delivery of the Project procurement activities consistent with the agreed project Procurement arrangement with quality and efficiency. Function is based on World Bank’s procurement regulations or Government of Lesotho’s Public Procurement regulations and IFAD guidelines and procedures.

 DUTIES

1. In collaboration with other members of the PCU and implementing partners, prepare the rolling 18-month procurement plan for works, goods and services required by the project and submit same for approval by the PSC and World Bank along with the AWPB. 
2. Ensure the preparation and assembly of tender and contract documents for specific procurements according to Government and IFAD guidelines.
3. Using the Bank’s Standard procurement documents, prepare Bidding Documents and Request for Proposals (RFP), Request for Quotations, Letters of Invitations, clarifications/amendments to procurement documentation, minutes of the Evaluation Committees and negotiation meetings, Evaluation Reports, contract award decisions, etc. These should include standardized forms to be used for International and Local Shopping methods to conform to the Bank Procurement Rules & Procedures.
4. In consultation with the Project Managers, prepare and update the project’ s Annual Procurement Plan and Budget detailing contract packages (including estimated cost) for goods, consultancy services and non-consulting services, the procurement/selection methods and processing times until completion of each procurement activity.
5. In consultation with the relevant technical staffs of the organizations, coordinate the preparation of (Terms of Reference), technical specifications using standard documentation agreed with the Bank and organizations, and participate in evaluation of bids, expressions of interest for preparation of shortlists, pre-qualification of suppliers, etc., where necessary. The Consultant shall review Terms of Reference and specifications for completeness, consistency, and fairness, and if necessary, suggest amendments
6. Prepare tender notices and advertisements in appropriate national and international papers and websites as required.
7. Participate in relevant tender committee meetings at the Lead Agency and assist with the preparation of committee reports.
8. Review and advise on tender evaluation reports prepared by the districts and other implementing agencies and make necessary follow-up.
9. Monitor and ensure timely responses to procurement questions raised by the Bank. For services, follow-up with the short-listed consultants, to ensure their participation in the selection exercise.
10. Maintain procurement files containing high quality and readily available information for review by supervision missions.
11. Maintain the contract register and regularly update the same with monitoring data on progress of all contracts.
12.  Advise the Project on processes for disposal of un-required stores and equipment including actual disposal in line with the Laws of the Country;
13. • Provide training and capacity building needs of procurement staff of the Project and other identified stakeholders to ensure long-term sustainability of the procurement procedures, with a view of strengthening staff capacities and skills, filling skills gap and support institutional strengthening.
14. Prepare draft and final contracts and ensure timely distribution of all relevant procurement and contract documents to relevant stakeholders;
15. Ensure timely receipt of the goods and consultant’s status reports, confirming acceptability of the goods delivered, and acceptability of consultants reports as reviewed, and recommending payments to the service providers as they become due.
16. Liaise with all relevant teams within the organizations with a view to prepare monthly, semi-annual, and annual procurement reports (or other periods as may be required) as inputs into the Project stakeholder reports to be submitted to donor partners, member countries, the Bank, and other relevant stakeholders. Regular monitoring of procurement across the Project and problem-solving as needed including regular updates on problems experienced and on changing needs for specific types of advice
17. Provide training and capacity building needs of procurement staff of the Project and other identified stakeholders to ensure long-term sustainability of the procurement procedures, with a view of strengthening staff capacities and skills, filling skills gap and support institutional strengthening.
18. Assist in supervising contracts in accordance with the respective contract agreements including the processing of payments, physical inspection and testing, receipt, and transfer of the goods to the Client, submission of consultants’ reports and closing of respective contracts.
19. Draw the attention of the PD to potential or actual violation of contractual terms by contractors and service providers for appropriate sanctions.
20. Participate in procurement audits and reviews of the Project.
21. Undertake any other duties related to procurement management as may assigned by the PD. 

 QUALIFICATION

• Have a Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Law, Engineering, Commerce, Public Administration, Accounting, or any other related field. A post graduate qualification will be an added advantage.

 EXPERIENCE

• Have a minimum of 8 years’ experience dealing with procurement of civil works, goods, and services, and with the award of contracts for Government/donor funded projects.
• Have experience in preparing tender and contract documents for national and international competitive bidding.
• Have a comprehensive knowledge of Public Procurement Regulations, as well as procurement guidelines for IFAD and the World Bank.
• Be computer literate.
• Be fluent in both English and national language.
• Have good interpersonal and communication skills.

Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of/experience with Bank/other international development organizations’ procurement procedures would be an added advantage.
• Good knowledge of the institutional, technical, and commercial aspects of procurement.
• worked as a procurement specialist in a donor financed project, capacity building in procurement, etc.
•  Experience in delivering projects at international level.
• Demonstrated high experience in contract management at managerial level.
• Fluency in spoken English and ability to write lucid reports and documents in English is required.
• Strong organization skills and ability to work in a team-oriented, dynamic, and diverse environment.
• Proven track record in working effectively within multidisciplinary teams, recognize the value of sharing ideas, knowledge and information with others and takes personal responsibility for doing so.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, sound judgment, communication skills, training experience, ability to identify and resolve policy and operational constraints.
•  Demonstrated computer skills, knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite especially, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
•  Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, set priorities, and work independently, or under minimum supervision.
•  Demonstrated capacity for initiative and efficient decision making with competent analytical and problem-solving skills.
•  Demonstrated competence by the level of timeliness and accuracy the individual displays in carrying out his/her role, personal energy and enthusiasm and willingness to exceed expectations in his/her role.
•  Ability to plan and organize effectively and build alternative actions into plans, deploying
• resources effectively and reviewing priorities.
• A commitment to supporting counterpart staff to achieve the outcomes and objectives of the organizations.
• Recognition and respect of peers, and a demonstrated ability to interact effectively and collegially with peers at all levels.
•  Demonstrated ability to make sound judgments on capacity issues that will require management referral and guidance.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a mentoring role.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate ideas and analyses clearly and tactfully, both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to assist and support the development of useful procurement processes and procedures effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to transfer skills and knowledge/ previous training or teaching experience is an advantage; and
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to challenges and changes in the workplace.

CONTRACT DURATION AND CONDITION

• Contract duration is one year, but renewable upon satisfactory performance of the incumbent and subject to business continuity and availability of funds. The assignment is planned to condescendence by May 2027.

FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE CLIENT

The client shall render the officer with all such facilities as may be reasonably required to enable the officer to discharge his/her duties that is office space laptop/computer, landline telephone, and transport project-related duties.

The short-listed candidate will be requested to participate in personal interviews and submit the names and contact details of personal referees who can attest to their abilities. A pre-employment screening and background check will be done on all short-listed candidates. The successful candidate must understand the objectives and delivery mechanisms of the project’s portfolio. He/she must be willing to work in a team, be flexible to emerging or changing conditions, and undertake initiative in his/her broad field of action.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III paragraph 3.14 to 3.17 of THE WORLD BANK’S Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, PROCUREMENT IN INVESTMENT PROJECT FINANCING Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services, Sixth Edition, February 2025, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A consultant will be selected in accordance with selection of Individual Consultants Method set out in Procurement Regulations.

SUBMISSION

Information required from candidates.

• Signed application letters stating explicitly relevant qualifications and experience.
• Provide current CV’s (including telephone, email and contact details).
• Certified copies of educational certificates and transcripts.
• Provide names and contact details of three (3) contactable professional referees.
• Certified copy of an Identity Document (ID).

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

SUBMISSION: Interested candidates should deliver their applications to the address below not later than the 9^th March 2026 at 16.00 hours.

Human Resources Department

Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition

80 Constitution Road

P.O. Box 24

Maseru 100

Newsday

Your Trusted Source for News and Insights in Lesotho!
At Newsday Media, we are passionate about delivering accurate, timely, and engaging news and multimedia content to our diverse audience. Founded with the vision of revolutionizing the media landscape in Lesotho, we have grown into a leading hybrid media company that blends traditional journalism with innovative digital platforms.