Job Vacancy at Catholic Relief Services (CRS) – Procurement Officer (Sierra Leone)

Job Title: Procurement Officer

Department: Procurement Unit - POOL

Reports To: Procurement Manager – Procurement Unit - POOL

Country: CRS-Sierra Leone.

Duty Location: CRS Country Office, Freetown with travel up to 10 % to Project Areas

Job Summary:

You will coordinate local procurement activities and processes to acquire goods and services in support of  the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. Your knowledge and experience will  allow you to successfully coordinate the quality and efficiency of procurement and purchasing activities and  ensure stewardship, integrity, transparency, and accountability.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate fully compliant procurement systems and operating procedures. Assess effectiveness and  efficiency and recommend improvements. Contribute to ensuring compliance with CRS procurement  principles, standards, and policies, donor regulations, and local statutory requirements.
• Coordinate with various departments to develop and maintain an up-to-date procurement plan with  all quantities, quality and delivery requirements for goods and services. Provide pricing information  to assist budget holders with budget preparation.
• Coordinate the sourcing process and perform various activities to assist with ensuring the best value  for money: market research, cost estimates, solicitation documents, bidding process facilitation,  supplier identification and research, quality and availability of goods assessment, negotiation,  contract/purchase order and other documents preparation.
• Communicate with other procurement staff and various program and operations units to coordinate  and track goods/services delivery and receipt and keep everyone informed of the status. Collect  information to confirm that goods/services delivered are what have been ordered in the correct  quantities and quality, they arrive on schedule and at the right cost.
• Maintain correspondence and constant contact with suppliers to follow up on the execution of  contractual terms and conditions, and handle issues if needed. Monitor and report on supplier  performance, noting current and/or potential issues and/or inefficiencies and assist with  contract/purchase order modifications.
• Accountable for transparency within the procurement department through ensuring a complete,  accurate and up-to-date document trail of all procurement processes, vendor files, procurement and  inventory database to assist with control and accountability. Prepare reports and facilitate document  retrieval.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Logistics/Procurement.
• Minimum of 3 years work experience in procurement/purchasing management, logistics, preferably  with an international organization.
• Good knowledge of various donor procurement regulations (e.g. USAID, EU, UN) • Knowledge of international and national procurement regulations and local market conditions.  • Knowledge of contract terms, as well as a proven ability to successfully complete purchase orders  against specifications.
• Familiaritywith procurement software system is an added advantage

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Logistics/Procurement.
• Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). Experience with database  management systems (e.g. MS Access) highly desirable.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Good planning and coordination skills and ability to prioritize competing priorities effectively
• Good analytical skills with ability to make independent judgment and decisions
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented with focus on meeting customer needs
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Good negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills

Required Languages – English and Krio

Travel - include percentage of required travel, if applicable. Could be stated as Must be willing and able to  travel up to 10%.

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none)

Internal: Program and Operations staff

External: Suppliers/Service providers

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff  member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries  out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas.  We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values  and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment  to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people  with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human  trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a  comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to  evaluate my behaviors related to safeguarding-related topics.

WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. CRS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

To apply for any of these positions please send up-to-date CV and a supporting letter, copies of  relevant certificates to:

[email protected]

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be  contacted.

Also send a copy of your application package to the desk Officers, Ministry of Employment and  Social Security, New England, and Extension Offices in Applicants’ Locations

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and  responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable  adults from abuse and exploitation.

Closing date for the receipt of application packages is 11th February 2022.