PROCUREMENT MANAGER

Médecins Sans Frontières, founded in 1971, is an international medical humanitarian organization that provides emergency medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters or exclusion from health care. Our teams are made up of tens of thousands of medical professionals, logistics, administrative and various other professions, all guided by our medical ethics and our principles of impartiality, independence and neutrality.

MSF WaCA, created in 2019, is the first MSF headquarters in Africa, and responds to the desire to reinvent the MSF movement after 50 years of humanitarian actions in the world, for more access to care, more reactivity and proactivity for greater medical coverage of affected populations in the world.

Why join us?

You are preparing to become a member of the MSF family, with over 50 years of emergency medical action that earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999.

We are an inclusive organization that considers social and professional well-being a right for all and provides an environment that takes into account the diversity of each member.

MSF WaCA claims an African anchorage that considers the local expertise with which it contributes in the implementation of its activities and makes each member, a key actor of the new dynamics of the humanitarian action in the world.

We Are Looking for: PROCUREMENT MANAGER

Department: Operational Department

Direct Manager: Head of Supply Chain Unit

Functional Manager: Global Indirect Categories Leader in MSF International Procurement Unit

MSF Interactions: YES

Working %: 100%

Position based in: Abidjan, HQ

Mobility: depending on the needs

Type of Contract: Fixed-Term Renewable

Position to be filled: as soon as possible

Mission

The Procurement Manager’s primary mission is to ensure transparency, efficiency, and reliability in our procurement processes, while enhancing our strategic involvement in purchasing decisions within MSF WaCA and the MSF movement.

He/She is also responsible for providing expert support to headquarter and mission teams in negotiating and formulating new procurement-related initiatives and projects.

The Procurement Manager will also support the assessment of country procurement capacities, review and analyze prescribed local processes, procedures, and tools, as well as develop and implement procurement strategies and processes.

This role requires a significant level of collaboration with other departments/units and platforms related to MSF’s procurement, working on ongoing or future initiatives and streamlining support services.

Objectives

The objective of the Procurement Manager is to ensure transparency, efficiency, and reliability in our procurement processes, while enhancing our strategic role in purchasing decisions within MSF WaCA and the MSF movement, and providing expert support for the development and implementation of new procurement initiatives and projects, in close collaboration with headquarters and mission teams.

Main responsibilities / Activities

• Develop and implement strategies to enhance transparency and efficiency in procurement processes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance strategic participation in purchasing decisions.
• Provide expert guidance and support for negotiation and the creation of procurement-related initiatives and projects.
• Develop a regional strategic procurement vision aligned with operational strategies and the Supply Chain Unit, actively contributing to shaping the framework of the regional and local supply chain.
• Considering the existing MSF International Procurement Unit platform documents and related to HOP initiatives, adapter the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for procurement by incorporating best practices and most effective procedures to guide our teams, while proposing relevant and innovative improvements in the procurement process, ensuring the final document reflects the highest standards in procurement management.
• Develop and implement a green procurement strategy aiming to integrate sustainable and environmentally-friendly procurement practices into our operations, while responsibly ensuring the continuity of humanitarian aid.
• Foster close collaboration with MSF International Procurement Unit, Operational Centers (OCs), and European Supply Centers (ESCs) to harmonize procurement strategies.
• Formulate a dedicated procurement approach for services not covered by the procurement function, proposing innovative solutions to effectively support procurement efforts at the mission, local, and regional levels.

In HQ, lead tenders according to MSF WaCA priorities:

• Define, in collaboration with the requesting departments and the other indirect buyers, the best procurement strategy
• Guide the requesting departments in the needs analysis: volumes and technical specifications.
• Guide the requesting departments in the sourcing of potential suppliers.
• Launch the tender and lead the analysis of the offers
• Lead the negotiations with suppliers.
• Participate in selecting the most relevant supplier based on pre-established selection criteria.
• Support the different departments in their relationship with their suppliers if needed (negotiation, dispute etc).

**Develop awareness on procurement in the entity (**MSF WaCA):

• Communicate to stakeholders on the procurement approach and added values.
• Raise awareness on procurement principles and processes.
• Train and empower key actors within the process.
• Create a network between the MSF WaCA buyer and the other indirect buyers

Develop good procurement practices:

• Analyze spend and identify strategic suppliers and categories.
• Define with MSF WaCA management team the priority categories, plan procurement activity and ensure teams availability.
• Analyze current procurement practices, procedures and tools, propose and develop, based on existing materials, required improvement in order to reach
• Define, establish, and monitor relevant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for procurement to assess the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of our procurement activities within the organization.
• Propose and implement continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen the efficiency and quality of procurement processes.
• Seek innovative solutions to address challenges specific to humanitarian operations.
• Participate in emergency response efforts as needed.
• Stay informed about sectoral trends and best practices in procurement.
• Provide specific assistance and advice on tendering, based on our spending commitment level and as required on specific amounts to be determined.
• Provide advice and guidance on contract management, including the maintenance of a contract register and the pursuit of common contract opportunities for all the organization’s missions.
• Review contracts and explore opportunities for collaboration and procurement improvements at all levels within the organization

Job requirements

Qualifications & Professional experience required

University degree in procurement, management, logistics, supply chain, or related field.

• At least 3 years of proven professional experience in procurement or supply chain management.
• +1 year of field experience in supply chain management is an advantage.
• Professional accreditation in procurement, for example, CIPS, is an asset.

Essential Skills

• Excellent intercultural communication and negotiation skills.
• In-depth knowledge of procurement procedures, compliance rules, and ethical standards.
• Autonomy, professional rigor, and ability to manage stress and a heavy workload.
• Ability to manage and collaborate with teams in multiple locations.
• Ability to design and implement procurement capacity-building initiatives.
• Strong leadership, team management, and problem-solving skills.
• Understanding of supply chain principles and practices in humanitarian contexts.
• Keeping up to date with the latest trends and innovations in procurement and supply chain management for continuous improvement and adaptability.
• Effective communication and coordination abilities.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage emergencies, and quickly adapt to changing situations.
• Proficiency in data analysis and relevant procurement software to inform strategic decisions. Harnesses insights derived from data to optimize procurement processes, identify cost-saving opportunities, and enhance overall supply chain efficiency.
• Strong skills in establishing and maintaining positive supplier relationships. Negotiates terms effectively, monitors supplier performance, and collaborates to achieve mutual growth and value-added partnerships.

Soft Skills

• Team spirit, leadership, and project management
• Project management and innovation initiative
• Negotiation skills
• Analytical and communication skills
• Risk management and change management skills
• Ethics and integrity skills
• Problem-solving skills and results orientation

Language

• French and English (expert knowledge)

Computer Skills

• Proficiency and excellent knowledge in computers and Microsoft office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, …)
• Experience in the supply chain modules in ERP (Entreprise Resource Planning) system is necessary.

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MSF offers equal recruitment and development opportunities without any form of discrimination based on gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, geographical origin, physical disability or any other discriminatory ground.

Female candidates who meet the requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.

N.B.: This job description provides a framework for the main responsibilities and primary activities of the position. It is not exhaustive. Therefore, the responsibilities and activities of the position may differ from those described in this job description due to organizational and operational needs.

Deadline: 18th November 2023 18:00 GMT
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.