Challenges
Procurement lies at the heart of efficient and transparent public financial management. Yet, in international development cooperation - especially in resource-constrained or high-risk settings - procurement processes are often undermined by a range of persistent challenges:
- Complex regulatory environments: Public procurement must align with a variety of international donor standards, national laws, and sector-specific requirements that often create a web of conflicting or overlapping regulations.
- Limited institutional capacity: Many public institutions lack the expertise or systems to conduct fair and transparent procurement, leading to delays, non-compliance, or suboptimal outcomes.
- Lack of transparency and oversight: Insufficient documentation, weak monitoring mechanisms, and the absence of clear procedures can expose procurement processes to inefficiency or corruption.
- Ineffective supplier management: Ensuring competitive tendering, managing contracts, and monitoring supplier performance require tools and skills that are often unavailable at the local level.
- Risk of corruption and conflict of interest: Without strong safeguards, procurement can become a high-risk area for fraud, bid rigging, and misuse of public funds, particularly in fragile or decentralised settings.
GFA concept and services
GFA’s Public Finance Management (PFM) Department delivers tailored procurement services that strengthen the integrity, efficiency, and transparency of public and donor-financed projects. From policy to practice, we support the full procurement cycle in line with international best practices and local realities.
PROCUREMENT CYCLE MANAGEMENT
- End-to-end support for procurement planning, tendering, evaluation, and contract management
- Development of procurement manuals, guidelines, and templates in line with donor requirements
- Facilitation of transparent and competitive tendering processes
- Oversight of contract award and implementation, including performance monitoring
INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING
- Capacity building for public institutions, ministries, and NGOs
- Support to the design of procurement systems that can be integrated with financial management tools
- Training in e-procurement platforms, supplier evaluation, and reporting procedures
COMPLIANCE AND RISK CONTROL
- Ensuring compliance with donor and national procurement rules
- Risk assessments and anti-fraud mechanisms for procurement processes
- Implementation of monitoring frameworks to track procurement performance
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TRACK RECORD AND IMPACT
GFA has successfully implemented procurement services across a wide range of donor-financed projects for clients such as the Global Fund, GAVI, MCC, and others. Our experts have managed procurement in health, education, infrastructure, and civil society sectors, achieving value for money, regulatory compliance, and timely service delivery.
On behalf of the Global Fund, for example, we managed procurement and supply chain services for multiple principal recipients including ministries and NGOs in Cambodia. Our oversight made sure that all procurement activities were conducted in strict compliance with Global Fund rules, with enhanced transparency and audit readiness at every stage.
Our Added Value
- Cross-sectoral procurement expertise, from emergency health commodities to infrastructure and consulting services
- Integration with financial management systems to support end-to-end accountability
- Experienced multi-lingual teams familiar with donor procurement guidelines and local legal frameworks
- Commitment to local ownership, helping public entities gradually assume full control of procurement responsibilities
- By aligning procurement practices with international standards and local capacity, GFA enables the efficient use of public and donor resources, reduces corruption risks, and contributes to building trustworthy and resilient institutions.
Contact
Simon Ansel
Portfolio Manager
E-mail: simon.ansel[at]gfa-group.de
Louis Leca
Portfolio Manager
E-mail: louis.leca[at]gfa-group.de
