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 worldwide, focusing on various sectors such as emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization is committed to serving individuals without regard to race, religion, or nationality, and emphasizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. CRS fosters a collaborative, mission-driven culture dedicated to improving the lives of the poor globally, and welcomes staff from diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values.

Job Overview:
The Senior Procurement Officer is a pivotal role within 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 delivery of goods to vulnerable populations in accordance with CRS and PATRIP requirements. The officer will leverage their knowledge and experience to anticipate procurement needs and challenges, implementing improvement solutions while adhering to principles of stewardship, integrity, transparency, and accountability. The role requires a proactive approach to managing procurement systems, ensuring compliance with various regulations, and maintaining effective communication with program teams to develop and manage procurement plans.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Procurement Officer will coordinate fully compliant procurement systems and operating procedures, assessing their effectiveness and efficiency while recommending improvements. Key responsibilities include ensuring compliance with CRS procurement principles, standards, and policies, as well as PATRIP and KfW regulations. The officer will develop and maintain an up-to-date procurement plan, provide pricing information for budget preparation, and coordinate the sourcing process to ensure best value for money. This includes conducting market research, preparing solicitation documents, facilitating the bidding process, and managing vendor relationships. The officer will also be accountable for maintaining transparency in all procurement processes, ensuring a complete and accurate document trail, and preparing reports for document retrieval. Additionally, the role involves managing team dynamics, providing coaching and performance management for direct reports, and monitoring 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 relevant 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, along with 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 proficiency in MS Office and database management systems are also essential.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes at least a Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Business Administration, or a related field. A Master’s Degree in Business Administration or a similar discipline is preferred, along with relevant professional certifications that enhance the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 4 years of work experience in procurement management, with a focus on increasing responsibility over time. Experience within an international organization is highly preferred, as it provides the necessary context for understanding complex procurement environments and regulations.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is essential for effective communication within the organization and with stakeholders. Knowledge of local languages may be beneficial but is not explicitly required.

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 retirement savings plan. For successful candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits packages are tailored based on the country of employment. The organization emphasizes its commitment to safeguarding program participants and staff from exploitation and abuse, and candidates are expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct. The recruitment process prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS operates.