Senior Procurement Officer

Job Title : Senior Procurement Officer
Department : Operations
Supervisor : Procurement Manager
Grade : 7
Country/Location: Uganda/Kampala with 50% travel to field project locations.

About Catholic Relief Services:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) supporting relief and development work in over 100 countries around the world. CRS carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. CRS’ Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations, serving people on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs.

CRS has worked in Uganda since 1965, initially providing emergency assistance to Sudanese refugees living in the north. Over the years, CRS has expanded its programming to also address development needs in western, central, and eastern Uganda. CRS’ projects in Uganda currently include agriculture, health, microfinance, peacebuilding, and youth. CRS Uganda implements its programs through partnerships with local organizations, including the Catholic Church, other faith-based organizations and community entities for maximum impact and sustainability.

Job Summary:

You will coordinate local procurement activities and processes to acquire goods and services for CRS Uganda Kampala Office and other field offices 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.

Job Roles and 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. Coordinate with the administration department 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:
Education and Experience:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Procurement and Logistics Management, Business Administration, or other relevant degree required. Full professional certification such as CIPS a plus.
• Minimum of 4 years work experience in procurement/purchasing management, logistics, administration, preferably with an international non-Governmental organization.
• Good knowledge of various donor procurement regulations (e.g., USAID, EU, UN)
• Knowledge of international and national procurement regulations and local market conditions.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Knowledge of contract terms, as well as a proven ability to successfully complete purchase orders against specifications.
• Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). Experience with database management systems (e.g., MS Access) and Enterprise Resource planning (ERP) systems highly desirable.

Personal Skills:
• 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

Travel Required: Up to 50% to field project locations.

Key Working Relationships:
Supervisory: Procurement Officers
Internal: All relevant CP staff making requisitions, Finance, Logistics, Administration and HQ Global Procurement Team.
External: Suppliers, revenue authorities, customs officials, freight forwarders, transporters, consultants, donors, and peer agencies.

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

DISCLAIMER CLAUSE:
This job description is not an exhaustive list of skills, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
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 the above safeguarding related topics.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer