Procurement Officer

Type of employment: Contract

 Closing date: 24 May 2021

EE Position: Yes

About the Position

The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) spearheads South Africa’s activities in the Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope, commonly known as the SKA, in engineering, science and construction. SARAO is a National Facility managed by the National Research Foundation and incorporates radio astronomy instruments and programmes such as the MeerKAT and KAT-7 telescopes in the Karoo, the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (Hartrao) in Gauteng, the African Very Long Baseline Interferometry (AVN) programme in nine African countries as well as the associated human capital development and commercialisation endeavours.

SARAO has an exciting opportunity for a Procurement Officer to join our Supply Chain Management team based in Cape Town. The successful incumbent will report to the Manager: SCM.

Minimum Education Requirements:

• 3-year relevant diploma- preferably in Supply Chain Management

Minimum Work Experience:

• Three years working experience in a public sector SCM procurement, imports and exports in a highly complex organisation (Science and Engineering sector)
• Knowledge of Public Sector SCM, NT regulations, PFMA, GRAP,
• PAIA, PAJA, CIBD Regulations, and Central Supplier Database (CSD)
• Knowledge in Supply Chain Management, Logistics and Purchasing Management
• Hands-on experience on Procurement Systems (i.e. SAP, Oracle, ERP)
• Experience in Contract Management
• Knowledge in Demand Management

Duties will include but are not limited to:

The key focus is to coordinate, implement and perform Supply Chain management functions for SARAO and to complete these functions within the policies and procedures of PFMA framework within and not limited to detailed duties below:

• Assist with the determination for user’ needs and procurement planning to integrate these into SARAO demand management plan.
• Maintain execute the progress of the procurement and reports
• Facilitate and advice in development of specification using S.M.A.R.T principle.
• Facilitate and coordinate bid evaluation process and prepare comprehensive bids evaluation reports
• To monitor the performance of the suppliers and procurement related agreements and negotiate delivery that support effectively supports SARAO’s operations.
• Identify/implement preference points system and appropriate goals per commodity in terms of preferential procurement policy objectives.
• Execute the bid/quotation process.
• Report on supply chain management information as required to internal and external stakeholders.
• Prepare procurement reports (bid register, procurement plan below 500K progress reports, etc.
• Keep SARAO management informed of the competitive activities.
• Create awareness of new developments within the SCM space and conduct workshops and training.
• Ensure continuous supply of required goods and materials and communicate any supply problems which may pose a risk or impact on business operations
• Manage and Negotiate contracts, improved prices and terms of business with suppliers and review opportunities to make business savings utilising negotiation and procurement best practice tools and methods.
• Preparation of service level agreements/ contracts in conjunction with NRF Legal Department and Project managers.
• In collaboration with project managers, manage existing contracts below 500K by ensuring that the contract is executed as per the agreements and it speaks to the bid awarded.
• Understand, advice and keep abreast with National Treasury instructions and guidelines

The ideal candidate will have the following competencies:

Ability

• Advanced MS Office and Systems
• Presentation Skills
• Demand Forecasting
• Supplier Performance Management
• High Level of report writing skills
• Anti-corruption and fraud prevention measures
• Clear understanding of the public service
• Working independently in a pressurised environment

Experience

• Public sector procurements

Knowledge

• Export and imports

As a business unit of the NRF, SARAO is committed to employment equity and redress. SARAO reserves the right to amend and/or withdraw adverts at any time without notification