Kenyan American Embassy Hiring

The General Services Office (GSO) has an opening for the position of Procurement Agent. This position will be available immedialtely.

The position will close on January 26, 2018.

NOTE:  All applicants are instructed to address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and
comprehensive information:

à       Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, International Procurement, Supply Chain Management or related studies such as Logistics, Warehousing or Accounting is required.
à       At least five (5) years in procurement field with specialized experience in purchasing a variety of materials and services is required.
à       Level IV English ability and Level III Kiswahili ability is required.

Other Criteria

à       Must have knowledge of sourcing process from procurement planning to execution of contract  management and administration, including procurement methods and tools of good
procurement practices.
à       Must have mastery of technical knowledge (product knowledge, market research/analysis) required for Supply Management/Purchasing/Contracting (e.g. equipment, medical supplies, contracts,

customs function, taxation, insurance, etc.).
à       Must have knowledge of public procurement principles and processes.
à       Must have knowledge of general principles and processes involved in risk management in procurement, including risk analysis and evaluation techniques.
à       Must have thorough knowledge of the commercial business market, both local and international.  

The incumbent serves as Locally Employed (LE) Staff Sourcing Consultant/Procurement Agent for the U.S. Mission to Kenya, which includes a chancery New Office Building (NOB) and New Office Annex (NOX), large warehouse complex, 298 owned or leased residences, Medical Research Unit (MRU), International School of Kenya (ISK), Peace Corps and Maintenance Shop (R04). Provides a variety of supplies and services in support of 58 agencies utilizing contracts, purchase orders, purchase card, blanket purchase agreement, delivery orders, and against existing General Services Administration (GSA), Department of State or other U.S. Government (USG) contracts. This includes chartering of planes, booking hotels, gathering market research and providing Integrated Logistics Management Systems training to clients (ILMS).

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES                                                                                                 

Incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Provide technical advice on procurement activities to officials of substantive units during all phases of Sourcing cycle. Primary purchasing agent for offshore residential furniture, furnishings and appliances; office supplies and equipment, motor vehicles, computer equipment; items under GSA contract; specialized equipment, supplies, tools and electronics.  Prepares contracts and performs contract administration for local contracts for supplies and services.  Manages unit data collection and reference.

Oversee adherence to contractual agreements, recommend amendments and advise vendors and requisitioners on contractual rights and obligation; Conduct or coordinate all phases of negotiation of disputes arising from contacts. May visit bidder’s establishments in connection with this review to determine capabilities, and to negotiate prices and other procurement factors.  May arrange, and participate in, other negotiates between bidder and Contracting Officer.  Prepares purchase orders and obtains necessary signatures.

Issue Requests for Quotations; Develop and prepare contracts for the procurement of goods and services; Evaluate responses and make recommendations for the finalization of purchase and award of contracts. Approve procurement orders to up to the authorized limits and prepare draft submissions for the Contracting Officer before presentation to the local committees on contracts for review and subsequent approval by the authorized official.
Develops and maintains market data relative to supplier and prices. Maintains or directs the maintenance of procurement reference material, including State and other agency regulations and instructions, GSO catalogues, U.S Federal Specifications and Standards, examples of contracts, real estate leases, and purchase orders which constitute precedents or may be used as conference in future procurements.

HIRING PREFERENCE SELECTION PROCESS:  

Applicants in the following hiring preference categories are extended a hiring preference in the order listed below.  Therefore, it is essential that these applicants accurately describe their status on the application. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not eligible for a hiring preference.  

HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER: 
(1)   AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
(2)   AEFM / USEFM
(3)   FS on LWOP** 

* IMPORTANT:  Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of the most recent Member Copy Four (4) of the DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and, if applicable, a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  If claiming conditional eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference, applicants must submit proof of conditional eligibility.  If the written documentation confirming eligibility is not received in the HR office by the closing date of the vacancy announcement, the U.S. Veterans’ preference will not be considered in the application process.  Mission HR’s decision on eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference after reviewing all required documentation is final.

* This level of preference applies to all Foreign Service employees on LWOP.

Additional Selection Criteria:

• Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and residency status in determining successful candidacy.
• Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply.
• Current Ordinarily Resident employees with an Overall Summary Rating of Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory on their most recent Employee Performance Report are not eligible to apply.
• Currently employed U.S. Citizen EFMs who hold a Family Member Appointment (FMA) are ineligible to apply for advertised positions within the first 90 calendar days of their employment.
• Currently employed NORs hired under a Personal Services Agreement (PSA) are ineligible to apply for advertised positions within the first 90 calendar days of their employment unless currently hired into a position with a When Actually Employed (WAE) work schedule.
• Applicants must be available for an interview and for proficiency testing as required by the selecting official.

To Apply:

1.  Candidates who claim U.S. Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application.  Candidates who claim conditional U.S. Veterans preference must submit documentation confirming eligibility for a conditional preference in hiring with their application.

2. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.
The U.S. Mission in Nairobi provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in

Employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability,

Political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. The Department of State also strives to

achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity

enhancement programs.

The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied

Equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation.  Individuals with such

complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for

prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.
                                                                

                                             DEFINATIONS

1.  Eligible Family Member (EFM):
An individual related to a U.S. Government employee in one of the following ways:

• Spouse or same-sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610);
• Child, who is unmarried and under 21 years of age or, regardless of age, is incapable of self-support.

The term shall include, in addition to natural offspring, stepchildren and adopted children and those under legal    guardianship of the employee or the spouse when such children are expected to be under such legal guardianship until they reach 21 years of age and when dependent upon and normally residing with the guardian;

• Parent (including stepparents and legally adoptive parents) of the employee or of the spouse, when such parent is at least 51 percent dependent on the employee for support;
• Sister or brother (including stepsisters and stepbrothers, or adoptive sisters or brothers) of the employee, or of the spouse, when such sibling is at least 51 percent dependent on the employee for support, unmarried, and under 21 years of age, or regardless of age, incapable of self-support.

2.  U.S. Citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM):  For purposes of receiving a preference in hiring for a qualified
position, an EFM who meets the following criteria:

• U.S. Citizen; and,
• EFM (see above) at least 18 years old; and,
• Listed on the travel orders of a direct-hire Foreign, Civil, or uniformed service member assigned to or stationed abroad with a USG agency that is under COM authority, or at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; and either:

1. Resides at the sponsoring employee’s or uniformed service member’s post of assignment abroad or at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan; or
2. Resides at an Involuntary Separate Maintenance Allowance (ISMA) location authorized under 3 FAM 3232.2.
3. Appointment Eligible Family Member (AEFM):  EFM (see above) eligible for a Family Member Appointment for
   purposes of Mission employment:  ·         Is a U.S. citizen; and

·         Spouse or same-sex domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610) or a child of the sponsoring employee who is unmarried and at least 18 years old; and

·         Is listed on the travel orders or approved Form OF-126, Foreign Service Residence and Dependency Report, of a sponsoring employee, i.e., a direct-hire Foreign Service, Civil Service, or uniformed service member who is permanently assigned to or stationed abroad at a U.S. mission, or at an office of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), and who is under chief of mission authority; and

·         Is residing at the sponsoring employee’s post of assignment abroad or, as appropriate, office of the American Institute in Taiwan.

·         Does not receive a Foreign Service or Civil Service annuity

4.  Member of Household (MOH):  An individual who accompanies a  direct-hire Foreign, Civil, or uniformed service
member permanently assigned or stationed at a U.S. Foreign Service post or establishment abroad, or at an office
of the American Institute in Taiwan.  An MOH is:

• Not an EFM; and,
• Not on the travel orders of the sponsoring employee; and,
• Has been officially declared by the sponsoring USG employee to the COM as part of his/her household.

A MOH is under COM authority and may include a parent, unmarried partner, other relative or adult child who falls
outside the Department’s current legal and statutory definition of family member.  A MOH does not have to be a U.S.
Citizen.
5. Not Ordinarily Resident (NOR) – An individual who:

• Is not a citizen of the host country; and,
• Does not ordinarily reside (OR, see below) in the host country; and,
• Is not subject to host country employment and tax laws; and,
• Has a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN).

NOR employees are compensated under a GS or FS salary schedule, not under the LCP.
6. Ordinarily Resident (OR) – A Foreign National or U.S. citizen who:

• Is locally resident; and,
• Has legal, permanent resident status within the host country; and,
• Is subject to host country employment and tax laws.

EFMs without U.S. Social Security Numbers are also OR.  All OR employees, including U.S. citizens, are
compensated in accordance with the Local Compensation Plan (LCP).