The Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI) is a strategy and delivery-oriented government Institute created to help accelerate the growth and transformation of the country’s agriculture sector. The ATI envisions to be the leading center of innovative solutions for the transformation of Ethiopian Agriculture by 2030.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Contract officer is responsible for managing the contract administration for the organization. He/she ensures that all contracts and agreements are legally sound, financially feasible, and in line with the organization’s overall goals and objectives.

The Contract officer must be able to read between the lines when it comes to legal jargons. He/ She needs to understand how each clause affects the overall contract so they can make informed decisions about which ones to include or exclude.

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

To ensure successful, systemic effective, and efficient contract monitoring, development of clear contract documents, accurate record-keeping, and advice on the best procurement practices and contract design; developing best practices for commissioning and procurement; making suggestions on the development and operation of the best purchasing and contract management system; and to support the Audit and Control team’s efficient operation.

The specific duties are:

• Draft, prepare and review contracts that involve the purchase of goods, services and works.
• Verify that the contracts adhere to government regulations, the project specifications, and the legal requirements of the public procurement authority.
• Evaluate and make recommendations on contractor requests for waivers/single sourcing and deviations.
• Participate in price negotiations with outside customers and write and suggest agreements to reduce legal risks to ATI.
• Analyse and interpret complex contract terms and conditions, advising on their impact and associated risk and liability to staff at all levels.
• Perform thorough evaluations of all cost components in contractor proposals, aid in creating pre-negotiation memorandums, and make suggestions for determining competitive ranges…
• Review and accept or reject the supplier’s, service provider’s, or contractor’s requests for payments under the performance-based payments or progress payments provision.
• Identify, assess, develop, and manage risk management action/contingency plans for contractual frameworks and contracted services to ensure that commissioned services are both safe and appropriate. To be responsible for preparing risk analysis impact reports and developing strategies to manage risks arising from the concerns identified and the way resources are deployed within contracts to ensure the Best Value is achieved.
• Ensure successful task completion within the scheduled timeframe consistent with the established scope of work to include technical solutions.
• Perform necessary research and prepare all documentation for reminders, warning letters, and the termination of contracts for the convenience of the Government or default by the Contractor.
• Addressing potential conflicts of interest between the objectives of the ATI in undertaking the contracted activity, the policies/regulations of the ATI and the customer’s business objectives.
• Preparing and keeping under review standard contracts and associated legal documents for all aspects ATI activity.
• Analyse potential risks that contract changes may pose to the organization and report with recommendations and possible mitigation action.
• Evaluating and negotiating ownership of and access to intellectual property and developing appropriate exploitation strategies.
• Advising technical backup for the procurement team to assist in successful contract negotiation.
• Maintaining awareness of relevant legislation, Government initiatives and regional regulations with the responsibilities of the job.
• Maintain an audit file for each contract which will include original contract, all correspondence, changes/deviations, amendments, clarifications, payment schedules.
• Administer contracts to ensure compliance and maintain performance guarantee and advance payment guarantee is valid to minimizes risk of ATI.
• Develop and advise on procurement, commissioning and contract management strategies. Identify opportunities for better procurement and to develop modern procurement and contract management practices.
• Develop and maintain contractual frameworks which promote quality, best value in terms of costs, deliverable equitable outcomes, and measurable targets of performance and to liaise with legal services, finance teams, and procurement officers regarding service specifications and contractual frameworks to identify issues that need resolving for remodeling provision.
• Undertake the system owner role for the e-procurement and contract management systems, including development, testing and implementation of upgrades, resolving queries and providing user training.
• Maintain an audit file for each contract which will include the original contract, all correspondence, changes/deviations, amendments, clarifications, and payment schedules.
• Provide periodic reports to the Procurement Director and Management Team outlining contract, procurement, and monitoring activity, including financial and contractual performance aspects.
• Perform any other tasks that may be requested by the supervisor.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in law, logistics and Supply Chain Management, Procurement Management, Project Management, Business Management, Public Administration, or other business-related disciplines.
• At least six years (for Bachelor’s) or four years (for Master’s) of experience in contract management particularly in procurement transactions.
• General knowledge of contractual agreement language and law is essential.
• Attention to detail and the ability to spot errors and inconsistencies of the contract document.
• Leadership and an understanding of interpersonal relationships to help during the negotiating process.
• Ability to work with a team at all levels of an organization and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Effective ability to negotiate and execute contracts.
• Good and deep knowledge of Government Procurement regulations
• Experience in donor requirement is a plus.
• Computer skills- knowledge of automated system such as ERP is a plus.
• Highly pro-active person who can work independently and at the same time a good team-player.
• Very good communication skills
• Proven commitment to transparency and accountability practices
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Amharic
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• High integrity, with timely & effective communication skill is essential.
• Flexibility: ability to work under pressure
• Adaptability: working in a multi-cultural environment