Senior Procurement Officer

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to save, protect, and transform lives in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, focusing on various areas such as emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization is committed to improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. CRS has a collaborative, mission-driven culture and welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values. The agency is dedicated to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and its processes reflect this commitment. CRS prioritizes hiring candidates from the countries and regions in which it operates, and its talent acquisition procedures emphasize the rights and dignity of all individuals.

Job Overview:
The Senior Procurement Officer will play a crucial role in the ACROSS project, which aims to combat destabilization, radicalization, and violent extremism in border areas of Benin, Niger, and Nigeria. This position involves planning, managing, and providing technical and operational expertise to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of goods to the poor and vulnerable populations in accordance with CRS and PATRIP requirements. The officer will leverage their knowledge and experience to anticipate and manage procurement needs and challenges, while also introducing improvement solutions. The role requires a strong commitment to the principles of stewardship, integrity, transparency, and accountability, ensuring that all procurement processes are compliant with relevant regulations and standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Procurement Officer will be responsible for coordinating fully compliant procurement systems and operating procedures, assessing their effectiveness and efficiency, and recommending improvements. Key responsibilities include ensuring compliance with CRS procurement principles, standards, and policies, as well as PATRIP and KfW regulations. The officer will coordinate with the program team to develop and maintain an up-to-date procurement plan that includes all quantities, quality, and delivery requirements for goods and services. They will provide pricing information to assist budget holders with budget preparation and coordinate the sourcing process, performing various activities to ensure the best value for money. This includes conducting market research, preparing solicitation documents, facilitating the bidding process, identifying suppliers, assessing the quality and availability of goods, negotiating contracts, and preparing purchase orders. The officer will also be accountable for maintaining transparency in all processes by ensuring a complete and accurate document trail of procurement processes, vendor files, and inventory databases. Additionally, the Senior Procurement Officer will prepare reports, facilitate document retrieval, manage talent, supervise team dynamics, and provide coaching and performance management for direct reports, monitoring and assessing performance to ensure adequate capacity for high-quality programming.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Business Administration, or a related field. A minimum of 4 years of work experience in procurement management with increasing responsibility is required, preferably within an international organization. Preferred qualifications include a Master’s Degree in Business Administration or a related field, as well as full professional certification such as CIPS. Candidates should demonstrate good planning and coordination skills, knowledge of international and national procurement regulations, and experience managing construction contracts. Strong analytical skills, ethical conduct, and good negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills are essential. Proficiency in MS Office, experience with database management systems, and knowledge of various donor procurement regulations are also highly desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Business Administration, or a relevant degree. A Master’s Degree in Business Administration or a related field is preferred, along with full professional certification such as CIPS, which would enhance a candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 4 years of work experience in procurement management, with increasing levels of responsibility. Candidates should have experience working in an international organization, which will provide them with the necessary skills and understanding of the complexities involved in procurement processes within a global context.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely essential given the international nature of the organization. Additional language skills relevant to the regions of operation, such as French or local dialects, may be considered advantageous and beneficial for effective communication within the diverse communities served by CRS.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. For successful candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits packages are based on the country of employment. The anticipated duration of the assignment may be informed by a term limit based on the job type and level, as well as the agency's needs. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants and community members from all forms of exploitation and abuse, and the successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct.