About the job Procurement Intern
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Procurement Intern
BACKGROUND
The African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) is a Pan-African economic policy institute supporting Africa's long-term growth through transformation. We work directly with African governments, businesses, and civil society - within countries and across borders - to remove policy barriers to sustainable, inclusive development.
We are headquartered in Accra, Ghana but boast a diverse staff based across several continents.
We are proud to be African led but globally connected, drawing on the expertise of our staff and partners to produce research, offer policy advice, and amplify Africa's voice through high-profile events, advocacy, and engagements. We work in collaboration toward the shared mission of delivering economic transformation that improves livelihoods for all Africans.
Learn more at https://acetforafrica.org/about-acet/
About the Job
Job Title:
Procurement Intern
Reporting Line:
Procurement Specialist
Location:
Accra
Job Summary
The Procurement Intern supports the day-to-day delivery of ACET's procurement function across institutional and donor-funded activities.
Working under the supervision and direction of the Procurement Specialist, the procurement intern coordinates assigned procurement activities, maintains procurement records and systems, supports tendering and evaluation processes, assists with contract administration, and ensures that assigned procurement activities are processed in accordance with ACET's procurement policies, applicable donor requirements, and established procedures.
The role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, integrity, responsiveness, and the ability to manage assigned procurement activities within established procedures and delegated authority.
Duration: Immediate through December 31st, 2026
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Procurement Operations and Support
Receive and process procurement requests and confirm that required documentation is complete before initiating procurement activities.
Prepare purchase orders and work orders for goods and non-consulting services and process them through the required approval channels.
Coordinate assigned procurement activities, including supplier or bidder invitations, receipt and safe custody of bids or proposals, and maintenance of procurement records.
Support the sourcing of qualified suppliers and service providers in collaboration with user departments and in accordance with approved specifications and procurement requirements.
Prepare solicitation and tender documents using approved ACET templates and procedures, for review by the Procurement Specialist.
Monitor procurement timelines and follow up with suppliers, user departments and other stakeholders on outstanding actions.
Provide timely updates to internal requesters on the progress of assigned procurement activities.
Tendering, Evaluation, and Award Support
Coordinate pre-bid or pre-proposal meetings, clarification processes and bid or proposal opening sessions, where applicable.
Provide administrative and procedural support to evaluation panels in accordance with approved evaluation criteria and procedures.
Prepare evaluation materials, minutes, and other records required for evaluation processes.
Check evaluation documentation for completeness and consistency before submission to the Procurement Specialist for review.
Prepare draft award and notification documentation for review and clearance.
Prepare notifications to successful and unsuccessful bidders as directed.
Contract Administration
Prepare draft contracts, purchase orders, agreements, and related documents using approved templates and for review by the Procurement Specialist.
Maintain and update the contract register, including contract values, key dates, deliverables, milestones, and renewal dates.
Monitor assigned contracts and follow up on deliverables, timelines and other contractual obligations.
Follow up with suppliers and consultants on outstanding deliverables and routine performance issues.
Prepare draft contract extensions, amendments, and variations for review by the Procurement Specialist.
Support contract close-out by ensuring that required documentation, deliverables and acceptance records are completed.
Procurement Planning, Monitoring and Reporting
Support the Procurement Specialist in preparing and updating annual and project procurement plans.
Maintain procurement trackers and monitor the status of assigned procurement activities.
Identify delays or outstanding actions and report them promptly to the Procurement Specialist.
Assist with the preparation of procurement activity reports and donor procurement reports.
Compile and organize procurement documentation required for audits, reviews and management reporting.
Compliance, Integrity and Records
Ensure that assigned procurement activities follow applicable ACET procedures and donor requirements.
Maintain a complete and auditable procurement file for each assigned procurement.
Support screening of bidders, suppliers and consultants against applicable sanctions and debarment lists before award.
Administer conflict-of-interest declarations for evaluation panel members and maintain the relevant records.
Maintain procurement records, supplier files and contract documentation in accordance with ACET's record retention requirements.
Upload and update procurement documentation on InSoft and applicable donor procurement or project tracking systems.
Promptly report suspected fraud, corruption, collusion, coercion, conflicts of interest or other procurement irregularities to the Procurement Specialist.
Stakeholder Support
Provide timely and professional procurement support to user departments, project teams and other internal stakeholders.
Provide procedural guidance to internal stakeholders under the direction of the Procurement Specialist.
Review draft Terms of Reference and specifications for completeness and procurement readiness and flag gaps to the Procurement Specialist or relevant user department.
Communicate with bidders, suppliers and consultants on routine procurement matters and provide accurate information within authorised parameters.
Support the Procurement Specialist in responding to procurement-related queries from internal and external stakeholders.
Other Duties
Support basic market research and supplier identification to inform procurement activities and cost estimates.
Contribute to improvements in procurement records, templates, trackers and administrative processes.
Provide procurement support to other units during periods of increased workload, as assigned.
Perform other procurement-related duties assigned by the Procurement Specialist.
Qualifications
The preferred candidate will meet the following criteria:
Education
Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Law, Quantity Surveying or a related discipline.
A relevant professional or postgraduate qualification in procurement, supply chain management, business, law or a related field will be an advantage.
Experience
Candidates must satisfy one of the following:
Minimum of two (2) years' relevant procurement experience following a Bachelor's degree in Procurement and Supply Chain Management;
Minimum of three (3) years' relevant procurement experience following a Bachelor's degree in a related discipline; or
Minimum of one (1) year's relevant procurement experience following a Master's degree in Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Business Administration or a related field.
Experience in donor-funded projects, development organizations, NGOs or similar environments will be an advantage.
Experience with World Bank, other multilateral development banks, bilateral donor or comparable procurement frameworks will be an advantage.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Procurement and Contract Administration
- Organization and Delivery
- Communication and Stakeholder Management
- Systems and Digital Skills
- Integrity and Professionalism
ACET Values
ACET strives to ensure an equitable and merit-based workplace. We promote ongoing employee development to strengthen staff capacity and further professional goals. We operate around five core values:
- Pioneering: We try to push the envelope in the spirit of being a think and do tank.
- Respect: We believe that in respecting each other, we will grow together.
- Integrity: We are transparent and accountable in our actions.
- Collaboration: We believe our best results are achieved by working well together.
- Excellence: We aspire to the highest level of critical thinking to solve difficult problems.
Working at ACET
ACET is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusion and diversity in the workplace. We have a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination and harassment of any kind. We draw from a highly diversified pan-African and global talent base. We are committed to ensuring that employees are remunerated, recruited, and developed based on skills and suitability for the work performed.
How To Apply
Interested applicants should send their CV and an accompanying Cover Letter explaining why they are the most suitable candidate for the position via this Link. The closing date for the receipt of applications is September 11th, 2026.