Senior Associate, Africa Procurement and Business Development at Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)

About the Role

• The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is seeking a Senior Associate, Africa Procurement and Business Development (GAIN Premix Facility) to act as the GAIN Premix Facility (GPF) Representative in our Africa countries. This role will be on a fixed-term contract basis up to 2 years and 6 months’, subject to availability of funding. This position is open to GAIN’s country offices in Nairobi, Cotonou, Addis Ababa and Kampala.
• Reporting to the Project Manager, you will manage and develop business relationships with key accounts of the GPF and follow up on new leads and referrals resulting from field activity to increase overall impact of the GPF.
• The Senior Associate will manage client relationships and communications during the premix procurement and fulfilment process including coordinating shipping schedules and the delivery of merchandise and services. In addition to this, the postholder will support the development of local premix supply models for fortification programs and will be expected to travel across Africa.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Preparing high-quality, rigorous reports and other materials (presentations, briefs and articles) documenting experiences to communicate the performance of GPF for wider dissemination and publication
• Managing the Africa demand forecast, capturing premix needs and quality related inputs for GAIN’s projects (Food Fortification, SMEs, Workforce Nutrition etc.) and other external partners
• Liaising with clients and certification agents on the day-to-day operations of the GPF such as conducting tenders, sample collection and testing, and ensuring a smooth procurement process from order placement through to delivery
• Supporting the Project Manager in risk management assessments of the Credit Facility’ liaising with bankers, GAIN’s finance team and clients and performing client due diligence checks
• Supporting the development of local premix supply systems and models for GAIN’s Large Scale Food Fortification (LSFF) programs and the expansion of new services such as supply of fortification dosifiers and analytical devices
• Expanding the customer base by contributing to business development activities and liaising with prospective clients to develop tailored procurement solutions
• Maintaining relationships with key customer accounts, visiting clients, and consignment stocks warehouses to develop relationships and to monitor progress
• Maintaining constant liaison with the relevant NGO/UN partners, government ministries, fortified foods producers, premix blenders and micronutrient manufacturers, GPF certification agents and other stakeholders to ensure the smooth operations of the GPF
• Ensuring GAIN’s regular interaction with partners in Africa and increasing the profile of the GPF, among stakeholders
• Ensuring monthly reporting for the Africa GFP program (in line with GAINs Project Management Standards) to update management on program progress achieved, program plans, changes in direction and challenges encountered

About You

• The ideal candidate will have professional experience within end-to-end procurement management (specifically with demonstrable experience managing procurement inputs on behalf of clients, food producers and partners within the food ingredients / food fortification industry, working with premix and food fortified food products within the Africa region). You will have a strong background in supply chain and order management; managing suppliers as well as import and export processes, preferably within an international setting / organisation.
• The ideal candidate will also have proven experience and a track record in business development and client management (with a demonstrable background in proposal development, developing a customer base and managing key stakeholders such as NGO/UN partners, government ministries, fortified foods producers, premix blenders and certification agents, and micronutrient manufacturers. You will also have proven credit management experience, managing risk assessments, collections, and performing due diligence checks.
• Candidates’ with work experience in food fortification and/or global food assistance within the developing world or in low-to-middle income countries is desirable.
• You will posess excellent communication and strong stakeholder management skills, with a proven ability to work in an environment requiring collaboration with government, industries and international organisations. Also, you will be highly flexible and be willing and able to travel in-country and overseas as and when required.
• In addition to this, you will be fluent in written and spoken English, candidates' with French language skills will be an additional advantage.
• A Bachelor’s degree or above in Business, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Marketing or related field will be required. You will have excellent administrative management skills and project management expertise, preferably in design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of nutrition programs or food fortification related projects. You will be computer literate and must be familiar with procurement processes and ERP/order management systems including Incoterms® 2020.
• Candidates’ with professional qualifications such as professional Diplomas from Charted Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) or Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) would be an added advantage.