Procurement Specialist - req32708

Procurement Specialist

Job #: req32708

Organization: World Bank

Sector: Procurement

Grade: GF

Term Duration: 3 years 0 months

Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment

Location: Ankara, Turkiye

Required Language(s): English, Turkish

Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date: 4/24/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. Visit www.worldbank.org to learn more about World Bank Group.

Europe And Central Asia (ECA) Region

The Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region comprises 30 extremely diverse, predominantly middle-income countries, with a population of nearly 500 million people. ECA countries face structural and legacy issues, including an incomplete transition to a market economy and declining productivity, weak institutional capacity, dependence on fossil fuels, limited physical and digital connectivity and, in many instances, aging populations. Recent shocks (COVID-19, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, weather shocks and natural disaster) have further exacerbated these challenges, with significant impacts on the level, inclusiveness and sustainability of growth and overall living standards.

The World Bank Group is working closely with client countries in the region to address these issues, with increasing focus on productivity growth and job creation, energy security and water management, human capital and economic inclusion, and physical and digital connectivity. The region has a strong lending pipeline and a large portfolio of projects spanning a number of sectors. In addition, knowledge is critical to the Bank’s value proposition to client countries in the ECA region.

Governance Global Practice (GGP)

The GGP comprises a variety of different professional disciplines working on public institutions, including procurement, public sector management, governance and anti-corruption, and financial management. The GGP interventions range from diagnostics, technical assistance and advisory services, knowledge management and sharing, creating peer learning platforms, lending and reform project implementation, and monitoring and reporting. An important part of its responsibilities is to deliver operational support to other Practices, including through inputs for policy-based operations, hands-on implementation advice and fiduciary due diligence of investment financing.

Furthermore, the Procurement Team in ECA Region works with client countries on procurement reform and policy and strategy development. Many of these engagements are based on insights from data analytics. Many countries in the region have e-procurement, contract management and payment systems that provide the data necessary to work on big data analytics applied to procurement.

Türkiye Country Context

Türkiye, one of the largest countries in ECA region is an upper-middle-income country with a strong record of growth, has faced external and domestic shocks in recent years, including a devastating earthquake in February 2023. To learn more about Türkiye please visit: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/turkey.

The Türkiye portfolio currently consists of 40 active operations totaling close to $15 billion, a small analytical program and several trust funds. The Türkiye portfolio has been growing, including addition of new sectors and new implementing agencies. Türkiye in recent years has also been among the largest clients of IFC and MIGA. A new FY24-28 Country Partnership Framework will continue to support structural development challenges but in addition will also have a strong focus on supporting earthquake relief and reconstruction efforts, with particular attention given to greater private sector participation, inclusion, and long-term sustainability.

ECA Procurement Unit is looking for a Procurement Specialist

The Procurement Unit convenes a leading group of practitioners focused on fiduciary due-diligence and advice on procurement under Investment Financing, advancing cutting-edge practices and innovations in the field of procurement, supporting governments and non-governmental actors in institutional strengthening and capacity building, improvement and modernization of procurement systems, and ensuring efficiency of transactions for improved governance and enhanced development outcomes. Effective, efficient, and transparent public procurement is crucial for achieving ECA’s objectives.

To enhance its capacity to support the growing portfolio in Türkiye, ECA procurement team seeks to recruit/appoint, as Procurement Specialist based in the Ankara Office, a highly organized, energized, and experienced procurement professional capable of operating effectively in Türkiye, and if needed in other countries of ECA.

The Selected Candidate Will Undertake The Following Key Tasks
Scope of Work:

• Provides technical fiduciary due diligence and advice on procurement activities under Investment Financing.
• Supports clients in achieving value for money in public procurement in order to enhance service delivery and development outcomes with integrity.
• Understands relevant procurement markets using analytical tools and approaches to define more effective procurement strategies.
• Participates in missions and plays a key role in developing practical approaches to procurement while simultaneously dealing with difficult policy and operational issues.
• Develops and executes training for borrowers and private sector on Bank Procurement policies.
• Engages in policy dialogue to help countries to reform and improve their public procurement systems.

The Work Implies Frequent Interaction With The Following Stakeholders

• The Management in her/his duty station, Washington DC, or locations in other countries.
• Government officials and equivalent contacts in other international organizations, partner entities, etc.
• Procurement Specialists within the World Bank and government units.
• Counterparts in the Bank across VPUs, Global Practices and other units involved in meeting the Bank’s business objectives.
• Other external constituencies and expert groups.

Selection Criteria

• A master’s degree with a major in a relevant field (e.g., business administration, engineering, commerce, law, procurement, public policy, economics, etc.).
• Knowledge of the concepts, principles and practices governing international procurement, with the ability to translate concepts into operational work, including but not limited to value for money, sustainable procurement, strategic sourcing, market analysis, contract management, etc.
• Minimum of 5 years of proven experience in carrying out technical duties in procurement inside or outside the World Bank.
• At least 2 years’ experience as Procurement Specialist/Officer working in public sector or donor financed projects with high procurement transactions.
• Good knowledge of Turkish institutions and procurement systems is desirable.
• Ability to deal sensitively in a multi-cultural environment and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues.
• High level of integrity.
• Excellent command of English and Turkish Language.

General Competencies

• Good interpersonal skills and persuasiveness in presenting, discussing, and resolving highly complex issues, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to solve problems involving multiple partners and constraints.
• Analytical skills to recognize patterns, extract conclusions and formulate strategies out of information coming from multiple sources and in a variety of forms.
• Understanding of the World Bank’s business objectives, products, and project cycle.
• Understanding of political economy, public policy, public systems, and public management.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of contract management tools & methodologies.
• Ability to handle complex, multi-functional, cross-regional projects/programs including maintaining relationships with partners & counterparties.
• Good understanding of risk management.

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.