Contract Specialist Africa – Consultant job at Heifer International

About the Organization

Heifer International started working in Uganda in 1982. What began as a small project distributing a handful of cows, has expanded into one of Uganda’s leading agricultural and community development organizations.

We work closely with communities and invest in local capacity, knowledge transfer, appropriate technology and farming capital such as livestock and other agricultural inputs.

Working with a network of partners, we mobilize farmers and help them connect into cooperatives to share knowledge and access financial services. Our work focuses on the dairy, poultry, swine, cereals, and oil seeds value chains, integrated with climate-smart technology.

Job Description

Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identify, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.
FUNCTION
We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Contract Specialist to join our team. The Contract Specialist will play a crucial role in the procurement process, ensuring that contracts are drafted, reviewed, and executed efficiently and in compliance with legal and organizational requirements. The Contract Specialist will work closely with country program offices, regional leadership, and legal teams in the establishment of local boards. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, excellent negotiation abilities, and a deep understanding of contract law.
The role may be located in any of the following countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Malawi, Senegal, Uganda, Rwanda or Zambia.

Duties and Responsibilities

Contract Development

Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and compliance with legal standards.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand contract requirements and objectives.
Submit contracts through Heifer’s contract portal and liaise with legal and the requesting parties to shepherd the contracts through the systems and approval.

Establishment of local boards

Support countries in establishing local boards and governance for that process.
Stay abreast of legal and regulatory changes required for establishment of local boards.
Work closely with Regional Leadership and legal teams to move the process forward.

Legal Compliance

Stay abreast of legal and regulatory changes to ensure contract compliance.
Work closely with legal teams to address any legal concerns and mitigate risks.

Vendor Management

Evaluate and select vendors based on their ability to meet contractual obligations and performance standards.
Negotiate terms and conditions with vendors to achieve favorable outcomes for the organization.

Contract Administration

Manage contract lifecycles, from initiation to closeout, including tracking key milestones and deadlines.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all contracts and related documents.

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

Conduct negotiations with external parties to reach mutually beneficial agreements.
Resolve contractual disputes and conflicts in a timely and effective manner.

Risk Assessment

Assess and identify potential risks associated with contract terms and conditions.
Develop risk mitigation strategies to protect the organization's interests.

Communication and Collaboration

Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including legal, finance, and project management, to ensure alignment on contractual matters.
Communicate contract-related information to internal and external stakeholders clearly and concisely.

Compliance Audits

Conduct periodic audits to ensure ongoing compliance with contractual obligations.
Address any non-compliance issues promptly and implement corrective actions.

Capacity building of country and regional teams

Provide capacity building to country and regional teams around the entire lifecycle of contracting.

Project document maintenance and submission

Maintain project documents and contracts within Heifer’s systems, keeping them up to date and audit ready.
Submit project documents within the PMFIC internal system.

Qualification, Experiences and Competencies

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Law, or a related field. (Advanced degree or certification in Contract Management is a plus.) A minimum of 7 – 10 years relevant experience.
Proven experience as a Contract Specialist or in a similar role.
Strong understanding of contract law and procurement processes.
Excellent negotiation and interpersonal skills.
Detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Familiarity with government regulations and compliance standards.
Proficient in contract management software and Microsoft Office Suite.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.