JOB ADVERT: Purchasing Agent/ Shipping Clerk

The U.S. Embassy in Yaounde has an opening for a Purchasing Agent/Shipping Clerk. This positionis located in Douala.

Position: Purchasing Agent/Shipping Clerk (FSN-06; FP-08)

Closing Date: September 17, 2015 at 16:00

Work Hours: Full time 40 hours/week

Grade: FSN-06; FP-08

BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION

The incumbent acts as Shipping Clerk, providing assistance in clearing air and surface shipments arriving at thePort and International Airport of Douala and also assists in arranging for outbound shipments. He/She also actsas Purchasing Agent for Simplified Acquisition for Embassy Branch Office Douala and provides backuppurchasing support for Yaounde, Bangui and N’Djamena.

a) Shipping Duties – 75% of time

Assists Embassy Branch Office (EBO) Shipping Assistant in clearing all United States Government (USG) surface shipments arriving in the Port of Douala (and Douala Airport) destined for United States Embassies Yaounde, N’Djamena, and Bangui in a timely fashion. Shipments should be cleared within 2 weeks of arrival to Port of Douala; and arranges for all outbound USG shipments from the Port of Douala.

Clearing USG surface shipments includes but is not limited to:

• receiving necessary customs documentation in a timely fashion.
• tracking when shipments are due to arrive at Port of Douala and following up if shipments don’t arrive as scheduled.
• requesting, obtaining, and preparing necessary paper work before shipments arrive.
• identifying, locating, and logging-in all shipments that arrive in the Port of Douala within 5 days of arrival.
• arranging for assistants/labors in the clearing process (in-house or external) as needed.
• performing clearing process in a timely fashion to avoid late charges (11 days after arrival).
• preparing weekly shipping status reports.
• turning in receipts and clearing advances upon  completion of clearing activities.
• maintaining and organizing all logs and records of incoming and outbound shipments.
• maintaining an accurate written record, including dates, persons involved, and circumstances for all shipping and ground transportation issues.
• keeping EBO director informed firsthand of all major activities, issues, etc.
• maintaining on-going good public relation practices with Port Authorities, shipping lines, and other customers.
• preparing and forwarding vendor invoices to B&F in request of vendor checks.
• Serving as the sub-cashier, turns in receipts and clears advances on a weekly basis.

 b) Purchasing Duties – 25% of time

Receives purchase requests from Centers for Disease Control, the EBO Office and in special circumstances, American Embassy Bangui and N’Djamena. Selects appropriate vendors for purchases, requesting three quotes when purchase exceeds the micro-purchase threshold.  Uses other government sources when advantageous to the US government.  Tracks purchases to delivery, assists in processing the payment of orders.  Places some high tech and medical equipment orders.

Qualifications Required

Education: Completion of High School (GCE “A” level, Baccalauréat or equivalent) is required.

Experience: At least three years’ experience in Purchasing on a business level and one year experience intransportation (shipping, clearing, ground and air transportation) in an international organization or a largelocal institution are required.

Language: Level III (Good Working Knowledge) Speaking/Reading/Writing English and French are requiredand will be tested.

Knowledge: Must have good knowledge of local market practices and foreign supplies; must have generalknowledge of Office Management and good computer knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel; must befamiliar with host country’s customs regulations and port procedures, USG regulations and procedures as itpertains to shipping and general business practices; must be familiar with how to get things done timely,proficiently, and cost effectively. Job knowledge may be tested.

Skills/Abilities: Must be organized, able to deal with urgent situations and keep accurate records and files;must have basic arithmetic sills and be accountable for USG funds. Typing ability is required. Skills andabilities may be tested.

TO APPLY

Interested candidates for this position must submit the following documents to the Human Resources Office, P.O. Box 817, Yaoundé OR via email at: ydeapplicants@state.gov (please, indicate the title of the position on the “subject”: line) electronic applications are strongly encouraged.

• Universal application for employment (DS-174) available online at http://yaounde.usembassy.gov; or
• A current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information found on the DS-174