Head of global field procurement

Location: Any MSF office*

Contract: Permanent contract at 100%

Compensation and benefits: MSF practice is to offer the standard package of the contracting MSF entity

Starting date: June 2024

Deadline to apply: 3rd May 2024

*By default, the successful candidate will be offered a contract in the MSF office of their country of residence at the time of application.

MSF INTERNATIONAL

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.

MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 24 sections, 25 associations and other offices together. Registered in Switzerland, MSF International provides coordination, information, and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implements international projects and initiatives as requested.

CONTEXT

Procurement of products and services is a critical activity for MSF operations and represents approximately half of MSF’s expenses. Therefore, MSF has undertaken significant efforts in recent years to strengthen and re-organize its procurement function, which have led to the creation of the Global Procurement Unit (GPU). The primary aim of the GPU is to streamline procurement activities and increase compliance, efficiency, and risk management.

Situated within MSF International Office, the role of the Global Procurement Unit is to lead global procurement strategies, to coordinate procurement efforts in the organization and to support the development of the procurement function across all MSF entities to efficiently contribute to MSF’s social mission.

As part of the Global Procurement Unit, the Head of Global Field Procurement will:

Report hierarchically to the Head of the Global Procurement Unit.
Work closely with the Heads of procurement of the OCs and the regional supply centres, the cells managers (Log, Supply, HR, Finance, Medical), the Suply Chain Technical Committee (SCTC) and the procurement referents of the 6 OCs.
Interact with other stakeholders within the MSF movement: Supply Directors of the OCs, International Legal Department, Heads of mission and other Heads of scope of the GPU.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The overall objective of this position is to develop the strategic orientations and coordinate the smooth running of mutualized field procurement activities at coordination level, and back-office support across MSF entities to ensure that they are pertinent, efficient and respond to the global needs of MSF.

Field procurement (approx 450M €) encompasses all the procurement activities conducted at country level, required to ensure the availability of the products and services required to run MSF relief operations.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

1 – Actively participate in the definition of the strategy for mutualization of procurement activities at field level.

Together with the SCTC, define the methodology to evaluate the missions where field mutualization would be most pertinent and prioritized.
Based on the agreed methodology, in coordination with the field procurement referent of the OCs, evaluate MSF missions and agree on a roadmap of priorities.
Contribute to the definition of the governance for implementation of the roadmap (stakeholders to engage, decision makers, etc).
2 – Ensure that the activities for implementing procurement mutualization at field level respond to the needs of MSF entities and are in line with the strategic objectives of the Global Procurement Unit.

Together with your team, establish the right channels of communication and processes to capture the needs from the different OCs or platforms in a specific country (priority product or services, expected value).
Based on these needs and on the strategic objectives of the GPU, formulate with your team the strategic priorities for each country to enhance the value delivered by field procurement activities to the mission (risk management, cost optimisation, quality etc).
Operationalise these strategic priorities into an action plan. Anticipate risks, resources and stakeholders to be engaged.
Define, monitor and analyse the key indicators to follow your activity. Identify improvement areas and capitalize on them.
3 – Lead the team working on global field procurement (3 to 6 procurement advisors and flyings), coordinate and ensure coherence between the different activities managed by them.

Set the working framework for your team. Bring them together around a common vision and objectives of the activities under your responsibility.
Accompany each member of your team in order to improve their contribution to the common objectives and promote their professional development.
Promote a working environment that takes into account diversity of approaches and encourages trust and collaborative work. Regulate individual and collective tensions.
Put forward the work stakes of the field team to the other teams in the GPU and the different MSF entities.
4 – Foster collaboration between your team, the other teams working in the GPU (direct, indirect, processes and systems, etc.) and the procurement stakeholders working in the different entities.

Know the main actors and key stakeholders for your activity. Develop and mobilise a network required to smoothly carry out the activities under your responsibility.
Develop and maintain a smooth flow of communication and feedback on the mutualized field procurement activities to keep your stakeholders up to date and capture their feedback and areas of improvement.
Coordinate the Field Procurement Platform in order to engage field procurement stakeholders and ensure alignment between their activities.
5 – Plan and manage the resources allocated to the activities under your responsibility.

Participate to the construction of the budget necessary for the running of the activities under your responsibility.
As a team, discuss the HR needed in terms of number and profile (profession, experience, complementarity with other team members) in order to achieve a team composition adapted to the needs of your activities.
Conduct recruitment interviews and select your team members according to previously established criteria and MSF recruitment policy.
Ensure the proper use and monitoring of the resources made available for the activities under your responsibility.

PROBLEM-SOLVING

Inside the frame of the strategic orientations of the GPU validated by the Executive Supply Chain Committee (ESCC), autonomy to develop the strategy for mutualized field procurement across all MSF entities to respond at best to MSF global needs.
Capacity to operationalize this strategy in action plan in coordination with all MSF entities involved.
Being able to coordinate and work transversally with 6 OCs, 6-20 MSF missions and 3 regional supply centres, across functions (Supply, Logistics, HR, finance, medical, legal) and influence decision makers of all entities involved (Supply Directors, Heads of procurement and Heads of mission).

DIMENSIONS

Manage a team of 3-6 persons including Flying Intersectional Procurement managers and Intersectional Field Procurement Advisors in charge of a portfolio of 3-5 countries in a region.

JOB REQUIREMENT

Practical / technical knowledge

Bachelor’s degree in business, with ideally a specialization in purchasing or project management, or a combination of relevant education and professional experience.
10+ years of experience in Procurement or Supply-related function.
Proven experience with people management.
Direct work experience in a complex multi-entity’ organization.
Experience in global contracting and negotiations.
Field experience with MSF in procurement /supply chain is mandatory
Experience in project management is an added value.

Planning and organising

Excellent strategic planning and analytical skills.
Strong organizational skills, ability to handle multiple priorities at one time.

Communicating and influencing

Demonstrate independent initiative, drive for change, improvement and innovation.
Excellent communication skills, assertiveness negotiation and influencing skills.
Ability to work in a cross-cultural and cross-functional environment.
Team player with strong customer orientation.
Practical requirements

Proficiency in standard office tools including Word, PowerPoint, Excel and data management.
Fluent spoken and written English. Good command of French is a strong asset.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

At MSF, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We welcome applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.