Consultant: Contract Operations and Procurement Consultant – USAID’s Esho Shikhi Activity in Bangladesh

POSITION DETAILS

Winrock International is inviting applications for a short-term Contract Operations and Procurement Consultant for USAID’s Esho Shikhi Activity in Bangladesh. Esho Shikhi is a five-year contract (2021–2026) with the overall objective of improving the Bangla reading skills of Grade 1 and Grade 2 students. Esho Shikhi works across Bangladesh to increase learning opportunities, improve quality education, and build the capacity of communities to support education and respond to disasters.

The Contract Operations and Procurement Consultant reports to the Chief of Party (COP) and will work closely with the Procurement, Administration, and IT teams in Dhaka while also coordinating with the Winrock home office. They will provide critical support in identifying and standing up systems at a critical point in implementation as the scope and scale of activities increase. Esho Shikhi expects to onboard a full-time Director of Program Operations in early 2024 and the Contract Operations and Procurement Consultant will play a key role in preparing for their arrival.

The anticipated start date for this short-term position is October 2023, but is contingent on donor approval. The successful candidate would be required to embed within Esho Shikhi’s Dhaka office and work full-time for the duration of the consultancy. The anticipated LOE for this position is 60 days with a period of performance of approximately 90 days.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Contract Operations and Procurement Consultant will review and assess Esho Shikhi’s existing systems related to operations, procurement, administration, and IT and provide recommendations for strengthening them in compliance with USAID rules and regulations, as well as internal Winrock policies and procedures. In coordination and collaboration with the COP and home office, they will then start implementing the recommendations.

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Embed within the operations, procurement, administration, and IT teams to understand their job functions and any constraints in their work within the existing systems. Contribute to their planning and daily work as appropriate.
• Hold pause and reflect meetings, focus groups, and one-on-one meetings with staff across Esho Shikhi (operations and technical teams) to understand their operational needs and challenges.
• Write a 10–15-page assessment of Esho Shikhi’s current systems including recommendations for streamlining them for improved performance and efficiency. This will be an internal document.
• Present these findings and recommendations to Esho Shikhi’s senior management through a joint meeting with the field office (COP, DCOP, Director of Finance and Administration) and home office (Senior Program Manager, Director, Associate Vice President).
• Lead the team to implement the selected improvements to its systems.
• May participate in review of CVs for permanent Director of Program Operations and/or participate on interview panels.

QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND:

Education:

• A bachelor’s degree in business, international development, or a related field is required. Master’s degree preferred.

Work Experience:

• Applicants with a master’s degree must have a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience, of which 5 should be senior-level experience in operations and administration. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree must have a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience, of which 5 should be senior-level experience in operations and administration.
• Experience managing operations for large USAID-funded contracts ($20 million and above) to the highest ethical standard, preferably in basic education.
• Demonstrated experience designing and managing protocols related to procurement, operations, activity planning, and contract administration.
• Experience working with Winrock systems is preferred but not required.

Skills:

• Knowledge of USG and USAID rules and regulations for contracts including the FAR, AIDAR, and 2 CFR Part 200.
• Ability to motivate, collaborate, and build trust with diverse teams spread across time zones and locations.
• Strong interpersonal skills, creative problem-solving, and negotiation skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Excellent computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software.

Bangladesh nationals strongly encouraged to apply.

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