Procurement and Logistic Assistant (Kandahar, Afghanistan)

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

The Procurement & Logistics Department is committed to implementing and maintaining the highest standards of efficiency and integrity in the purchase of goods and services. The overriding objective for all Mercy Corps procurement activity is the prompt and effective provision of materials and services to Mercy Corps’ beneficiary populations in compliance with donor specifications.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Procurement Assistant is responsible for facilitating the procurement aspects of Mercy Corps’ Logistic Operations. Working closely with Program, Administration, and Finance, the Procurement Assistant is instrumental in supporting program activities through his/her services.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Daily coordination of MC procurement activities;
• Assists staff to familiar about creating clear and understandable purchase requests and other documentation;
• Get a full understanding of MC procurement policies and formats. Assists, as needed in briefing clients on these policies;
• Copying procurement files and documents and maintaining proper and accurate filing system.
• Ensure to Learn/Familiar fair competition and strictly adhere of MC procurement rules regarding vendor relations as described below:
• Always accord prompt and courteous reception and fair and equal treatment to all vendors/suppliers and their representatives.
• Provide equal opportunity for vendors/suppliers to make price and specification quotations.
• Guarantee the confidentiality of all specifications and price quotations made by vendors/suppliers.
• Decline to take advantage of vendors/suppliers’ errors, and show consideration for vendors/suppliers’ difficulties by co-operating with them whenever possible.
• Avoid subjecting vendors/suppliers to needless expense or inconvenience when requesting quotations or returning goods.
• Explain as clearly and fully as possible to vendors/suppliers the reason(s) for the rejection of their bids/proposals.
• Remain scrupulously free of obligations to any vendor/supplier.
• Remain informed about sources of supply, methods, services and materials and encourage vendors/suppliers to test and develop improved or expanded products and services.
• Inform vendors/suppliers about current and anticipated requirements.
• If, for any reason, one vendor/supplier is permitted to re-quote (submit a revised quotation), all competitors should be given the same opportunity. Re-quoting should be kept to an absolute minimum.
• Interact with contractors, in coordination with the Program & Procurement-Logistics Officer;
• Prepare the required documentation of supplies and make sure transactions are completed to MC standards.
• Assist the P&L management and office staff with procurement activities, as required;
• The Procurement Assistant conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

About Mercy Corps:

Mercy Corps works in places of transition, where conflict, disaster, political upheaval, or economic collapse present opportunities to build a more secure, productive, and just communities. Providing emergency relief in times of crisis, we move quickly to help communities recover and build resilience to future shocks, and promote sustainable change by supporting community-led and market-driven initiatives. Recognizing both the great potential and the complex challenges faced by Afghanistan, since 1986 Mercy Corps has been implementing a range of humanitarian assistance and development programs tailored to the specific needs of the country and of those communities where we work. Mercy Corps has been working in Afghanistan continuously since 1986 with a large portfolio of programs addressing the promotion of sustainable licit livelihoods, agriculture development, youth vocational training, Renewable Energy and natural resource management; it has helped more than 2.5 million Afghans through these wide-range of community–based agriculture and economic development programs. Mercy Corps is working in Kabul, Kandahar, Helmand, Uruzgan, Herat, Takhar, Badakhshan, Parwan, Baghlan,,Samangan, Balkh and Nangarhar.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today. Equal Employment Opportunity Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact. We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, colour, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.