Senior Officer, Global Strategic sourcing Cash Voucher Assistance & Non-Food Items

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 Global Humanitarian Services and Supply Chain Management Department is a core function supporting the IFRC humanitarian action. The Department has a global network including:

 Headquarters-based Supply Chain Management Department in Geneva
 Global Operational Procurement Team (GOPT) in Budapest
 Logistics Hub and Global Fleet office in Dubai
 Other Logistics Hubs like Panama, Australia, Las Palmas etc.
 Five regional operational supply chain units located in Panama, Kuala Lumpur, Nairobi, Beirut and Budapest
 Country-based logistics set-up

Global Humanitarian Services & Supply Chain Management is a function dedicated to:
 Provide the goods and services 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.

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Manager, Global Operational Procurement and Supply Chain, Europe, the Senior Officer, Global Strategic Sourcing CVA & NFIs contribute to the success of the Global Operational Procurement Unit by ensuring effective operational and tactical procurement of goods and services globally.

The Senior Officer is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies (primarily focus on Supply Chain Cash & Voucher Assistance solutions for preparedness and response; and/or NFIs/Services as necessary) that provides best value for money (including best value country sourcing) while ensuring supply efficiency and quality in line with the IFRC Global Supply Chain Strategy, and ensuring that Procurement objectives are achieved.

This role involves conducting market analysis, identifying and managing supplier relationships, and ensuring compliance with corporate and regulatory requirements. The Senior Officer is accountable for global sourcing performance against set objectives for the categories falling under the scope of responsibilities. The Senior Officer collaborates with cross-functional teams and internal and external stakeholders at senior level to align sourcing initiatives with business objectives, enhance supplier performance, and support sustainability and risk management efforts. By leveraging data-driven insights and industry best practices, this role contributes to the organization's long-term competitiveness and operational efficiency

Job Duties and Responsibilities

For this role the primary sourcing category will be for Services/Solutions for Cash and Voucher Assistance.

Key Accountabilities
Strategic Sourcing
 Develop and implement sourcing strategy and sourcing options for CVA solutions and NFIs/Services; design and align strategic sourcing and procurement practices in alignment with the best value for money approach and support IFRC in delivering the objectives of the IFRC Supply Chain Strategy and Workplan. Drive supply efficiency, quality, and process improvements globally. Meet the set KPI targets.
 Ensure that local/regional strategies are integrated and in alignment with the global category approach and stakeholder requirements.
 Collaborate with the relevant technical department and requestors, Global Supply Chain, Global Operational Procurement, Regions and Delegations in developing sourcing strategy, managing procurement processes, and as per need establishing long-term Agreements in alignment with the actual Supply Chain Strategy and Workplan.

Supplier Relationship Management
 Support with supplier negotiations and implement supplier development programs to promote sustainability.
 Understand global, regional and local industry trends, suppliers’ capabilities, and, with strong sourcing and supply chain expertise, support the relevant projects of the sites and regions as necessary.
 Develop negotiation strategies to deliver against objectives and achieve sustainable relationships with suppliers.
 Evaluate supplier core competencies, cost drivers, and competitive positioning using industry cost models and benchmarking analysis.
 Guide management of key supplier relationships to foster collaborative innovation.

Procurement Operations
 Initiate and manage the RFx and procurement processes as defined by the strategy (Highly complex and/or large spend).
 Perform all procurement transactions as required following standard IFRC procedures, archive all documentation for audit trail.
 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.
 Identify and drive cost reduction opportunities at global and regional level for the categories assigned to the role, with consideration to quality, cost, speed and service requirements, market conditions, risks and exposures, competitive landscape, and projected changes.
 Support external sourcing request, including but not limited to, providing inputs for cost estimates and liaising with finance department on Invoice management.
 Provide regular reports and updates as necessary. Cooperate in the development of reporting tools with relevant supply chain stakeholders.
 Act as the IFRC technical focal point within procurement CVA service provision, providing technical expertise and advice across the regional and global network to enable the delivery of a high quality and commercially effective procurement service provision that optimally meets the needs of the IFRC, partners and customers.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Leadership and Capacity Building
 Build internal relationship to ensure cross-functional co-operation and integration which minimizes risk and results in high quality technical solutions.
 Cooperate in the development of capacity building and training initiatives. Support the development of training materials.
 Act as ERP Procurement business process technical focal point.
 Ensure that global and local policies and procedures are conveyed to end users in the procurement of goods and services.

Education

Required:

University degree in Business, economics, Engineering, IT or other relevant areas or proven professional experience in the area of expertise

Preferred:

Professional Procurement Qualification highly preferred

Experience

Required:

Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in managing complex supply chain operations including high volume in procurement, of which minimum 3 years at field operational levels

Experience of managing and integrating complex supply chain operations, including tactical and operational procurement. Experience in sourcing, tendering and contracting for financial service providers

Proven experience to carry out logistics assessments and set up large operations

Experience in tendering and/or sourcing indirect categories/General services (preferably in finance services) and experience in sourcing reliefs items

Experience in CVA (Cash and Voucher Assistance) procurement service provision

Experience in Red Cross/Red Crescent movement

Preferred:

Experience within the commercial sector including experience in managing the negotiation of substantial contracts and the resolution of conflicts and disputes

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required:

Ability to develop and implement sourcing initiatives, including establishing and managing Global/Regional Framework Agreement

Skilled at analysing industry and market trends to proactively identify opportunities for cost reduction, risk mitigation, continuity of supply, and innovation

In-depth knowledge of international procurement practices, including legal and compliance aspects

Strong commercial acumen with advanced negotiation skills and supplier management expertise to maximize value and ensure best value for money

Demonstrated broad understanding of the content, processes and delivery channels in the field of the assigned category, with sufficient knowledge to challenge and drive change and innovation

Ability to work in diverse teams across different cultures, including remote management

Ability to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple tasks while maintaining efficiency and deliverables

Good communications skills (written and verbal)

Ability to work effectively in matrix and cross-functional environments

Strong interpersonal skills

Familiar with Supply Chain/Procurement ERP systems and business processes (preferable knowledge of IFRC ERP (MS Dynamics D365)

A broad understanding of humanitarian issues, disaster recovery, and organizational needs in complex environments

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 values

Competencies, Values and Comments

Required:

Fluent spoken and written English

Preferred:

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

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