STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT AND NATURE OF PROCUREMENT PROCESS IN THE UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION STABILIZATION MISSION IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (MONUSCO) ENTEBBE SUPPORT BASE

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the nature of procurement process followed by MONUSCO and the involvement of stakeholders in this process.Methodology: The study employed a descriptive case study design. The target population comprised of 261 employees of MONUSCO Entebbe Support Base holding international, United Nations Volunteers (UNV) and National contracts. Random and purposive sampling techniques were specifically used to select samples for this study. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview guides. The quantitative data collected was further analysed using SPSS for descriptive and inferential statistics while the qualitative data was analysed using content analysis.Findings: The study findings showed that there is procurement planning in most MONUSCO sections; that funds are available before planning; that staff are involved in procurement planning in their respective sections; and that procurement planning contributes to achieve the maximum value for expenditures on goods/services and works to be delivered at MONUSCO sections. The study found that procurement planning had led to improved levels of MONUSCO operations in the areas of humanitarian relief, peacekeeping, development assistance to affected communities. The study further found that staff are involved in the identification and definition of the needs of user sections and that the Statement of Requirements (SOR)/or Scope of Work (SOW) was important in their respective sections. These had aided in full scale involvement of relevant stakeholders in the procurement planning activities of MONUSCO ESB.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends a clear determination of specifications in terms of required quality and quantities by the end-user departments in MONUSCO ESB. Planning and determination of needs should be done early to allow enough time to initiate the procurement process. The study further recommends that the procurement department should always engage all concerned stakeholders in determining the materials and service specification for quality assurance during service delivery. This will enable the sections to always get the quantity of items as requested by end-users, in their right quantity, right quality and at the right time.