Regional Procurement Lead - ESA at Save the Children

The Regional Procurement Specialist will have technical responsibility for the procurement element in the region, the management of Regional Procurement Unit (RPU), strategic sourcing and all procurement transformation/capacity building initiatives for ESA. The incumbent will also be responsible for supporting the development and owning the country execution of global and regional sourcing strategies and ensuring efficiency and effectiveness of the Regional Procurement Unit in processing international procurement transactions for country offices in the ESA region. The role holder will also be responsible for ESA regional office (RO) Procurement requirements.

The role will also include taking a lead role in advising ESA country offices to achieve improved quality assurance and better sourcing outcomes of their procurement processes. The role holder will own and drive the comprehensive transformation/continuous improvement agenda across people, process, policy and digital initiatives, the role holder will contribute technical and local context input to global initiatives and be responsible for their deployment into ESA countries.

The role holder will be responsible for ensuring annual financial benefit targets are met from all of the sourcing conducted in ESA countries.  The 2022 target is approx. $3m. The role holder will also steward and influence the work of all staff that conduct procurement in ESA countries (estimated at 250 people), maintaining the procurement essentials certification database.

In order to be successful, you will bring/have:

Essential/ Desired

•  At least 5 years in a regional procurement managerial position
• International procurement, preferably having extensive knowledge of the East and Southern Africa market. Having previously worked in a regional procurement management level is a strong advantage.
• A first Degree in related area, Master level degree will be an advantage.
• CIPS Diploma or equivalent professional certification, MCIPS certification desirable
• Pharmaceutical qualification will be an added advantage.
• Working knowledge and skills in use the of Sap Ariba or other ERPs.
• Having experience in the INGO sector and in handling, Cash Transfer Procurement, pharmaceutical procurement and construction contracting will be an added advantage. 
• Experience in running complex and high-volume procurement processes and in high volume contracts negotiation (>USD 1 million) with financial benefit delivery
• Proven ability to review supply demands and trends; to develop strategies to fill identified gaps
• Experience working with large institutional donors and knowledge of their rules and regulations
• Strong change management and transformation programme experience
• Ability to synthesize and analyse information, and make clear, informed decisions
• Ability to build relationships quickly with a wide range of people, both internally and externally
• Strong planning, management and coordination skills, with the ability to organise a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities
• Experience in developing the capacity of procurement staff through the use of training, performance management frameworks and development plans.
• Experience in implementation of efficient procurement systems, policies and procedures.
• Excellent written and spoken communication and interpersonal skills
• Cross-cultural experience, understanding and sensitivity
• Excellent ability with MS-Office applications particularly Excel
• Willingness and ability to travel within the region
• Sense of diplomacy and negotiation skills
• Experienced in managing people is a must
• Able to prioritize and work with limited supervision, self-motivated, resilient to stress

Closing date: 30 May 2022