PROCUREMENT ASSISTANT

About the Organization

The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) is the apex continental organization responsible for coordinating and advocating for Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D) across Africa.

Established in 1997 by Sub-Regional Organizations including CORAF/WECARD, ASARECA, and SADC-FANR, FARA serves as the technical arm of the African Union Commission on matters relating to agriculture, science, technology, and innovation.

Headquartered in Accra, Ghana, FARA provides a platform for stakeholders to shape Africa’s agricultural research agenda and mobilize responses to continental development frameworks, particularly the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).

Position Summary

FARA is seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Procurement Assistant to provide procurement and administrative support to the organization under the supervision of the Head of Human Resources and Administration.

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The successful candidate will support procurement processes, vendor management, contract administration, and general office coordination to ensure efficient organizational operations and compliance with procurement standards and donor requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement Support

• Support the recruitment process for consultants and experts, including preparation and publication of advertisements
• Prepare procurement and solicitation documents such as Requests for Quotations (RFQs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), bid evaluation summaries, and purchase orders in accordance with FARA policies and donor regulations
• Assist in sourcing, due diligence, and evaluation of suppliers and vendors
• Support the preparation and administration of procurement contracts
• Participate in and provide administrative support during contract negotiation meetings
• Maintain and systematically archive procurement records and documentation for easy retrieval and compliance purposes
• Update and manage the online procurement system and vendor database, including supplier categorization and performance records
• Monitor procurement task allocations and follow up on outstanding actions
• Support contract management activities and ensure proper documentation and compliance

Administrative Support

• Assist with the organization of meetings, workshops, and official events hosted by FARA
• Provide general clerical and administrative support, including filing, correspondence management, photocopying, scanning, and record keeping
• Perform any other administrative duties as assigned

Contract Duration

The appointment is for an initial period of one (1) year, including a three (3) month probationary period, and is subject to performance and organizational requirements.

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Duty Station

The successful candidate will be based at the FARA Secretariat in Accra, Ghana.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field
• Minimum of two (2) years’ relevant experience in procurement or a related function
• Professional certification such as CIPS will be an added advantage
• Good knowledge of donor-funded procurement policies and procedures (e.g., World Bank, AfDB, EU, etc.)
• Strong planning, organizational, and multitasking abilities

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent written and verbal  communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders professionally
• High level of integrity, confidentiality, and discretion
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines
• Demonstrated professionalism, adaptability, and cultural sensitivity
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and procurement record management systems
• Knowledge of an additional foreign language will be an added advantage

Compensation & Equal Opportunity

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FARA offers competitive terms of employment and is committed to equal opportunity and diversity in the workplace. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

FARA does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, ethnicity, disability, health status, nationality, or age.