IFRC recruits 01 Senior Officer, Operational Procurement

Senior Officer, Operational Procurement

Closing date (Geneva time zone):24-03-2020

Duty station:Nairobi

Country:KENYA

Duty station status: N/A

Accompanied status: N/A

Duration:12 months

Category of Staff: National Staff

Grade: Not applicable

Vacancy No:IFRC03841

Background

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with 192 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC or “the Federation”) is the World’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network. The Federation is a membership organization established by and comprised of its member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Along with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Federation is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The overall aim of the IFRC is” to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” It works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. The Federation is served by a Secretariat based in Geneva, with regional and country offices throughout the world. The Secretariat is led by the IFRC Secretary General and provides the central capacity of the International Federation to serve, connect, and represent National Societies. The Secretariat’s focus includes providing support to the IFRC governance mechanisms; setting norms and standards; providing guidance; ensuring consistency; coordination and accountability for performance; knowledge sharing; promoting collaboration within and respect for the RCRC Movement; and expanding engagement with partners. The Secretariat’s headquarters is organized in three main business groups: (i) Partnerships, including Movement and Membership; (ii) Programs and Operations; and (iii) Management. The Secretariat has five regional office, as follows: Americas (Panama City); Africa (Nairobi); Asia/Pacific (Kuala Lumpur); Europe (Budapest); Middle East and North Africa (Beirut).

Job Purpose

Working under the Manager Operational Procurement unit, the Senior Officer Operational Procurement officer shall contribute to the success of the Regional Procurement Unit by undertaking efficient tactical and strategic procurement of goods and services for IFRC Operations Africa. The incumbent will ensure effective execution of operational procurement, support tendering for the region as required, ensuring timeliness and best value for money and achieving KPI’s and objectives set.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Key areas of activity and relationships include:

Carry out operational tactical and strategic procurement for Africa region in close cooperation coordination with regional operational procurement team, global sourcing team and programs and filed operations. Ensure delivery of all goods and services striving for the right quality, price and time delivery working in close coordination with the global sourcing and global operational procurement team. This role carries accountability for ensuing compliance with IFRC procurement procedures, processes and supply chain standards globally.

Charged with the preparation and issuance of local and international purchase orders for supplies, equipment and services and the preparation and submission of Procurement reports and analysis including tracking and performance tools. Ensuring that releant procurement processes, procedures and policies for procurement of goods and services are disseminated / conveyed to procurement practitioners in the Africa Region.

Key Accountabilities

To the provision of Operational Procurement activities for IFRC Operations in the Africa Region in full compliance with IFRC Procurement Procedures and Processes ensuring best practice to enable efficient and cost-effective procurement meeting requestor requirements.

To liaise closely liaise with relevant IFRC technical operational departments to establish procurement plans, procurement pipelines to keep requestors informed and ascertain needs and technical requirements/specifications from those technical departments to enable delivery in time of requested goods and services.

Identify and engage with relevant key suppliers within the range of products and service categories required to ensure the provision of the goods and services to meet present and anticipated operational requirements establishing and keeping the supplier registry current by category for reference.

To recognize and pursue opportunities to consolidate supplier commercial arrangements across a broad range of procured goods and services for the benefit of the Federation and its internal/external customers.

To act as the IFRC lead within procurement service provision, providing technical expertise and advice across the Region to enable the delivery of a high quality and commercially effective procurement services that optimally meet the needs of the IFRC Operations, partners and customers.

To actively participate on the delivery of procurement service improvement, best practice, continuous learning and knowledge sharing between departments and keep the unit at the forefront of innovative procurement service practices.

To engage in internal relationship building ensuring cross-functional cooperation and integration to minimize risk ensure results in high quality technical solutions.

To fully support the implementation of local, regional/global Framework Agreements.

To support external procurement requests by sourcing and providing cost estimates, conducting procurement processes for required goods and services and liaising with the finance department on payments and invoicing.

Perform technical reviews of procurement files within the Africa Region as per established FRC procurement procedures

To provide in-country technical support to logistics/procurement set-ups in countries in the Africa Region as and when required including short term deployments in the context of DREF and Emergency Appeals.

Liaise with government, international organizations and private enterprises to keep abreast of current activities in the field of procurement such as local and regional business practice, supplier and product/service availability and reputation etc. to enable delivery of most efficient procurement service.

To maintain registry and communicate a comprehensive database of all goods and services procured at LPSCM Regional level and cluster/country level in liaison with relevant offices;

To report to the Procurement Manager and Head of Unit LPSCM Africa Region any foreseen changes in procurement plans and activities and discuss viable approaches to efficient delivery.

Be accountable for compliant IFRC processes and procedures, support and provide advice to SPOCs for other departments conducting procurement (e.g. Administration) ensuring that all procured goods and services are compliant with IFRC specifications and quality standards and are fit for intended purpose and that relevant inspection process is implemented for quality and quantity.

To provide support and training as and when required to national procurement staff, volunteers and National Societies (NS) to improve the quality of procurement services with Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, promote adherence to best practice principles and compliance with necessary regulation, legislation and IFRC procedures.

To support the Country Logistics Managers in managing, evaluating and reporting upon procurement activity which meets delivery, budget and quality targets in-line with LPSCM processes and procedures and regional/country procurement plans.

Education

University degree in Business, economics, Engineering, IT or other relevant area or proven professional experience in the area of expertise.

Professional Procurement Qualification highly preferred.

Experience

Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in managing complex procurement operations including high volume in procurement, of which minimum 3 years at international level

Experience of managing and integrating tactical and operational procurement

Experience within the commercial sector

Red Cross/Red Crescent knowledge and experience

Knowledge, skills and languages

In-depth grasp of international procurement practices including legal aspects

Problem solving skills

Demonstrated ability to analyse operational procurement impact, including at operational/institutional levels

Commercial acumen and Proven negotiating skills

Ability to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple tasks

Ability to work in matrix environment

Ability to work in a cross-cultural and cross-functional environment, strong interpersonal skills

Ability to deliver efficient operational procurement in a challenging environment

Ability to synthesise and analyse complex data

A broad understanding of humanitarian issues, disaster recovery and related organization.

Fluently spoken and written English

Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)

Competencies and values

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability

Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust

Comments

The Federation is an equal opportunity employer.