Senior Officer, Global Operational Procurement

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 organisation 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 in Geneva is organized in three main business groups: (i) Partnerships, including Movement and Membership; (ii) Programmes and Operations; and (iii) Management Services.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

The IFRC’s Global Humanitarian Services & Supply Chain Management (GHS&SCM) Department is a core function supporting the IFRC humanitarian action. The Department has a global network including:

• a headquarters-based Supply Chain Management Department in Geneva
• Global Operational Procurement Team (GOPT) in Budapest
• a Logistics Hub and Global Fleet office in Dubai
• Five regional operational supply chain units located in Panama, Kuala Lumpur, Nairobi, Beirut and Budapest
• logistics hubs
• country-based logistics set-up

Global Humanitarian Services & Supply Chain Management is a function dedicated to:

• Provide the goods and services as needed by IFRC to deliver to the most vulnerable;
• Provide services to deliver visible value to the members, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the supply chain and strengthening its control;
• Developing talents & future leaders.

Job Purpose

Working under the Lead Global Operational Procurement unit, and reporting to the Manager, Global Operational Procurement, the Senior Procurement Officer shall contribute to the success of the IFRC’s global procurement activities by ensuring effective operational and tactical procurement of goods and services globally.

The incumbent will ensure technical reviews of procurement files for compliance and approval submitting by the Regions or Global Hubs, effective execution of operational and partially strategical procurement based on need, support tendering globally as required, ensuring best value for money objectives are achieved, and ensuring technical compliance in the procurement of goods and services procured globally. 

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Key areas of influence and key internal relationships include:

Carry out operational and tactical procurement as per needs for different procurement, in strong coordination with Global and Regional Operational Procurement teams,. Be accountable to ensure the availability of all goods and services (right quality, right price, right time) in close coordination with the global operational procurement team. This role carries accountability for ensuing compliance with IFRC supply chain standards globally.

Charged with the preparation and issuance of purchase orders for supplies, equipment and services.

Ensuring that global and local policies and procedures are conveyed to end users in the procurement of goods and services. Ensuring compliance with the global IFRC supply chain standards and Procurement Manual and other policies.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Key Accountabilities

• To perform technical reviews of procurement files for compliance and approval submitting by the Regions and Global Hubs
• To manage operational and partially strategical procurement activities at global level as per need
• To identify and consolidate the Federation needs for goods and services and to strategically support with global or regional FA establishment or with identifying the best procurement opportunity to meet the needs To map and identify potential suppliers and perform the supplier due diligence and key commodities on the market.
• To support training and orientation processes on general IFRC procurement for Regional/Global Procurement Departments and IFRC staff when required.
• To collect data and provide analysis on market price, access, quantity and quality data, as well as changes in price, availability or quality of key commodities.
• To lead 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 directly negotiate with key suppliers within the category/procurement area to ensure the provision of the goods and services to meet present and anticipated requirements.
• To recognize and pursue opportunities to consolidate supplier commercial arrangements across a broader 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 global network to enable the delivery of a high quality and commercially effective procurement service that optimally meets the needs of the IFRC, partners and customers.
• To lead 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 lead internal relationship building to ensure cross-functional co-operation and integration which minimizes risk and results in high quality technical solutions.
• To fully support the implementation of regional/global FA
• To support external sourcing request, including but not limited to, providing inputs for cost estimates and liaising with finance department on Invoices management.
• Perform all procurement transactions as required
• To keep all documentation to full audit trail following standard IFRC procedures both in hard and soft copies
• To perform other duties assigned by the line manager.

Education

Required

• University degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, Logistics, Finance, IT or other relevant area.

Preferred

• Professional Procurement Qualification highly preferred

Experience

Required

• 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

Preferred

• Experience of strategical procurement is preferred
• Experience within the commercial sector
• Red Cross/Red Crescent or other Humanitarian Sector knowledge and experience

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Knowlegde and skills

Required

• 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

Preferred

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

Languages

Required

• Fluently spoken and written English

Preferred

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

Competencies, Values and Comments

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