Regional Supply Chain and Operations Director

Title: Regional Supply Chain and Operations Director (Middle East)

Location: Home-based in RI Country Office within the time zone range of Middle East; frequent travel in the region at anticipated 40% of time

Reports to: Regional Director – Middle East (technical line to Global Support Office Supply Chain and Operations Director)

Direct Reports: Regional IT Coordinator; Regional Team Coordinator, technical line management of Supply Chain and Operations Managers in all Country Offices of Middle East region

1. Context

About Relief International

RI is active in 15 countries around the world, including some of the most fragile: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, and Yemen. Often, RI is the only organization providing assistance to highly vulnerable communities.

• Globally RI employs about 5,000 staff and auxiliary workers
• 97% of staff are local nationals and about 90 international (expat) staff
• 2022 programs budget is about $130M

About our Country Program

Relief International is one of the leading providers in ME region. We operate in several countries, Turkey- Hosting over 4 million refugees, Turkey’s infrastructure and economy are strained, exacerbated by recent earthquakes. Our operations here focus on providing essential services to both refugees and host communities. Lebanon- With the highest concentration of refugees per capita globally, Lebanon’s fragile economy and resources are under immense pressure. Our work in Lebanon involves delivering vital assistance to address the needs of refugees and vulnerable host populations. Jordan – approximately one million Syrian refugees have sought safety in Jordan since the civil war began in 2011. We operate in large refugee camps like Za’atari and Azraq, as well as urban centres, ensuring that refugees have access to crucial healthcare, education, water, and sanitation services. Yemen-is grappling with one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises due to a protracted civil war. The healthcare system has collapsed, disease outbreaks are common, and the cost of basic goods has skyrocketed. In Yemen, our operations are dedicated to providing urgent humanitarian assistance to a population where 75% are in dire need.

1. Job Profile

As a senior member of the Middle East Regional Team, the Regional Supply Chain and Operations Director acts as both an advisor and direct support function to country offices on all Supply Chain and Operations matters (procurement, stock/inventory management, fleet, facilities and assets management). S/he will provide virtual and in-country support to the Supply Chain and Operations teams of all country offices in the Middle East region, while also supporting effective communication and information flow among regional and global offices and ensuring compliance to all relevant RI and donor policies and procedures.

1. Key accountabilities and responsibilities

Technical Quality/Program Management

• Provide support and guidance to all Country Offices in Middle East, including oversight of all Supply Chain and Operations (SCO) functions in line with RI and donor policies and regulations.
• Work with the Country Senior Management Teams (SMTs) and in-country SCO teams to improve Supply Chain and Operations support to projects, ensuring it is efficient, drives value for money and delivers on time..
• Provide hands-on contributions to in-country personnel on all SCO matters when mobilizing and implementing new projects or closing out of awards.
• Facilitate communication and cross learning for all Middle East based SCO staff.
• Provide regular review and assessment of SCO staffing structures and functions in the Country Offices with the aim to build ideal staffing structure plans that strengthen overall efficiency and accountability within financial limitations.
• Provide training to program and other support staff on critical SCO policy and procedures.
• Provide ongoing mentoring to country SCO leads to support their development, including identifying and promoting candidates for international secondments/short term deployments
• Assess and support Country Office procurement management, facility/office management, fleet management, warehouse management, and asset management processes to ensure they are streamlined and efficient; and ensure all RI and donor policies and procedures are known and being adhered to at all times.
• Work with each Country Office Program and SCO staff on improved usage of procurement plans (and consolidation of plans), and through procurement planning, and with the GSO Procurement team, build supply/sourcing strategies for the country offices.
• Work with each Country Office SCO team to have quarterly reporting schedule in place. Provide review, analysis and feedback to each office resulting in actionable improvements in the execution of functions.
• Advise, review and/or approve (checking for accuracy and compliance) all high-level procurements ($50,000 and above and all tenders), framework agreements, leases and other large value, high risk financial commitments.
• Support the GSO International Procurement Unit (IPU) with delivering on all international procurement requirements for Middle East Countries
• Work in collaboration with other members of the RI team; sharing information on assessments and proposed interventions, providing overview and inputs of SC & Ops requirements for the development of project proposals and subsequent projects.
• Work with Global Support Office to contribute to designing new and updated organisational supply chain and operations policies and systems, and lead on their roll-out to Country Offices. Ensure consistent application of all RI tools and templates, policies and procedures throughout Middle East Country Offices.
• Liaise regularly with Global Support Office to ensure that all activities are aligned with global policies and developments and support Global SCO initiatives and special projects implementation.
• Collaborate with all regional colleagues to present a consolidated approach and teamwork for Country Offices support and management.
• Review country proposals on SCO elements and remain involved on all Project Cycle Management phases, meetings, strategic exercise, etc in coordination with Regional Support Office.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Culture and conduct

• Demonstrate and uphold RI’s values, ethics and compliance, and diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Uphold and promote RI’s commitment to ensuring the safeguarding and safety of the vulnerable communities we serve.
• Support systems that prevent sexual exploitation and abuse and promotes the implementation of the Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies.

Management and leadership

• Create a positive and productive work environment which is free from harassment and bullying.
• Demonstrate sensitivity and understanding of diversity and cultural differences, gender issues and the commitment to equal opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with the Safeguarding Leads to advocate for the inclusion of safeguarding activities and resources within program
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of donor requirements of safeguarding standards and protection from exploitation and abuse.

1. About you.

This position demands a dynamic individual with a demonstrated ability to achieve results in a demanding and fast paced environment. Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Key desirable qualifications:

• Extensive SCO management experience in international development and humanitarian programs, experience in Middle East preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to operational management systems in large complex programs.
• Experience leading complex procurements.
• Knowledge of international humanitarian and development systems, institutions and donors (including UN agencies, BHA, and ECHO), and of procedures, accountability frameworks and best practices.
• In depth knowledge and experience of supply chain systems and requirements in a multi field office, multi program setting.
• Direct experience of supporting the delivery of humanitarian programs, in a technical or operational role, in at least three different contexts.
• Experience in working internationally for one or more international aid organisations.
• Senior management role within a complex country program and/or in a large-scale emergency response.
• Cold chain and/or pharmaceutical supply chain expertise preferred.
• Substantial training and capacity building experience.
• Culturally sensitive, with highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching.
• Experience supporting and developing programmatic staff with different backgrounds and expertise.
• A degree in a relevant field.
• English language fluency is required.

Key competencies:

• Adaptable and flexible
• Strategic thinking
• Strong writing and analytical skills
• Solution oriented and positive thinking
• Solid organizational and planning skills
• Self-critic, curious and eager to develop further professionally.
• Communicate with impact and respect.

1. RI Values

Guided by the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, as well as “Do No Harm,” Relief International Values:

We value:

• Integrity
• Adaptability
• Collaboration
• Inclusivity
• Sustainability