Organizational Context
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network, with 191 member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. IFRC uses the Triple R – response, resilience and respect – to deliver on Strategy 2030. IFRC responds to disasters and crises, ensuring timely, coordinated and locally led humanitarian action. IFRC supports its members in building community resilience in the areas of climate and environment, health and wellbeing, and migration and displacement. IFRC promotes respect for our fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality, including in our work on values, power and inclusion. The IFRC focuses throughout on our core mandate – our raison d’être – of strategic and operational coordination, humanitarian diplomacy, National Society development, and accountability.
IFRC is led by its Secretary General and has its Headquarters in Geneva and five regional offices in Africa (Nairobi); the Americas (Panama); Asia Pacific (Kuala Lumpur); Europe (Budapest); and MENA (Beirut) as well as representation offices, service centres and delegations across the globe.
The 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 Supply Chain 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
- 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
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
The Supply Chain Officer - under supervision of the Regional Manager, GHS&SCM, Africa, shall contribute to the success of the Regional Procurement Management in Africa region by undertaking efficient tactical and strategic procurement of goods and services for IFRC Operations Africa. The incumbent will ensure effective execution of operational procurement, support tendering for the region as required, ensuring timeliness and best value for money and achieving KPI’s and objectives set.
The position is outposted to Dakar, Senegal.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties and responsibilities apply for both regional and cluster scope.
Key areas of influence and key internal relationships include:
Carry out operational and tactical Supply Chain operations (right quality, right price, right time) for Africa Region, with particular focus for Sahel countries, in strong coordination with the rest of regional procurement team, global sourcing and programs and field operations. This role carries accountability for ensuing compliance with IFRC Supply Chain standards globally. Preparation and submission of Sourcing and Operational Management reports and analysis including tracking and performance tools. Responsible for implementing and maintaining standard IFRC logistics and procurement procedures.
Provide technical leadership conforming to IFRC guidelines with regards to Logistics Standards, including logistics financial and procedural management of the procurement process and contract management, fleet management, supply chain and capacity building.
Procurement
- Provision of Operational Procurement activities for IFRC Operations in Africa Region in full compliance with IFRC Procurement Procedures and Processes, by ensuring best practice to enable efficient and cost-effective procurement meeting requestor requirements, i.e; Regional IFRC and National societies, Integrated Partners, including short-term deployments in the context of DREF and Emergency Appeals.
- Proactively liaise closely with relevant IFRC technical operational departments (within the Cluster or the Region) to establish procurement plans, procurement pipelines to keep requesters informed and ascertain needs and technical requirements/specifications from those technical departments to enable delivery in time of requested goods and services.
- Identify and engage with relevant key suppliers within the range of products and service categories required to ensure the provision of the goods and services to meet present and anticipated operational requirements, establishing and keeping the supplier registry up to date by category for reference.
- To recognize and pursue opportunities to consolidate supplier commercial arrangements across a broad range of procured goods and services for the benefit of the Federation and its internal/external customers.
- Provide technical expertise and advice across the Region to enable the delivery of a high quality and commercially effective procurement services that optimally meet the needs of the IFRC Operations, partners and customers.
- To actively participate 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 engage in internal relationship building ensuring cross-functional cooperation and integration to minimize risk ensure results in high quality technical solutions.
- To fully support development and implementation of local, regional/global Framework Agreements.
- Liaise with local authorities, international organizations and private enterprises to keep abreast of current activities in the field of procurement such as local and regional business practice, supplier and product/service availability and reputation etc. to enable delivery of most efficient procurement service.
- To maintain registry and communicate a comprehensive database of all goods and services procured at SCM Regional level and cluster/country level in liaison with relevant offices.
- To report to the Regional Head of SC management for Africa & Operations of any foreseen changes in procurement plans and activities and discuss viable approaches to efficient delivery.
Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)
- Be accountable for compliant IFRC processes and procedures, provide advice to colleagues/single points of contacts for other departments conducting procurement (e.g. Administration) ensuring that all procured goods and services are compliant with IFRC specifications and quality standards and are fit for intended purpose and that relevant inspection process is implemented for quality and quantity.
- To provide support and training as and when required to national and international procurement staff, volunteers and National Societies (NS) to improve the quality of procurement services with Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, promote adherence to best practice principles and compliance with necessary regulation, legislation and IFRC procedures.
- To support the Head of Regional Supply Chain unit for Africa in managing, evaluating and reporting upon procurement activity which meets delivery, budget and quality targets in-line with Supply Chain Management processes and procedures and regional/country procurement plans.
- Support Regional and Global CVA teams in revising, developing and maintaining FSPs
- Support CRRA processes and assessment for French speaking African National Societies
Staff Capacity building
- Provide coaching, mentorship and on-the-job training to staff and volunteers with regards to building capacity at local levels on Supply Chain Standards and accountability to provide sustainable resource to the National Society.
Operational and Budget Support
- Implement with the operations managers, programme managers and Supply Chain Manager the identification and development of logistics components within programme plans.
- Responsible for advising and validating the technical logistics and supply chain elements of programme plans, including Cash Based Intervention such as map and identify financial service providers and lead related contracts and agreements.
- Responsible for the development, implementation, and management of logistics Plan of Action, including all appropriate procurement and supply chain strategy/strategies to meet the requirements of the Regional and Clusters plans.
- Support RLU for the Supply Chain management and running cost budget, adhering to the IFRC procedures.
Supply Chain
- Support the efficient performance of the logistics function within the Region.
- In conjunction with programme, develop, maintain, update, and monitor key indicators of the supply plan to meet programme objectives.
- Liaise and coordinate with the relevant stakeholders regarding the delivery of supplies, and keep all parties informed, in a timely manner, of any changes.
- Support market assessment processes for development of local/regional framework agreements including FSP.
Report and filling
- Ensure that all logistics and procurement documents are filed and archived in a systematic manner.
- Responsible for narrative, financial and technical logistics reports in a timely manner through the Head of Regional Supply Chain unit for Africa
Other duties
- Oversee warehouse, physical asset tracking and good maintenance of all equipment managed by the Clusters.
- Perform all supply chain management duties and responsibilities in D365
- Monitor and advise on use of D365 among clusters and country offices in Africa
Education
- Relevant university degree (such as Logistics, Supply Chain, Procurement, or related discipline, etc.)
- Professional qualification in logistics, supplies, procurement, etc
- Basic Delegates Training Course or equivalent knowledge is preferred
Experience
- Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in managing complex procurement and logistics operations.
- Experience of managing and integrating tactical and operational procurement
- Red Cross/Red Crescent knowledge and experience
Knowledge, Skills and Languages
Required:
- In-depth grasp of international procurement practices, including legal aspects
- Ability to work in a team, excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work in a cross-cultural environment
- Ability to work towards tight deadlines and handle multiple tasks
- Must be able to travel frequently at all times and at short notice, and work outside normal working hours and under stressful working conditions
- Good communication and presentation skills
- Cultural sensitivity
- Skills in training and developing staff
- Demonstrated core proficiency in (a) digital communication & collaboration, (b) basic digital content creation, (c) digital safety & security, (d) data literacy, and (e) problem solving with technology (including responsible use of AI assistants.
- Understanding of and commitment to IFRC’s mission and value
Preferred:
- Valid international driving licence (manual gears) is preferred
- Knowledge of D365 ERP is preferred
Languages:
- Fluently spoken and written English and French is required
- Good command of another IFRC official language (Spanish or Arabic) or Portuguese preferred
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
