Global Procurement Officer, Africa at PATH

Job Description

PATH is a global nonprofit dedicated to achieving health equity. With more than 40 years of experience forging multisector partnerships and with expertise in science, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales up innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing heath challenges.

PATH is seeking a Global Procurement Officer who will be responsible for providing technical and advisory support and training related to procurement of goods and services in our Africa region. This position will lead project teams in procurement activities including procurement planning support, consolidation of user needs where appropriate, review of scopes of work/terms of reference/specifications, release and manage RFPs, vendor management, proposal analysis and evaluation report review, issuance of purchase orders, and reporting.

Global Procurement Officers provide oversight and guidance on country office procurement activities in PATH’s compliance-heavy environment (including policy compliance, restricted commodities, specialized logistics, audit recommendation implementation, user education on procurement policy) and may support fundraising proposals and project delivery by developing and analyzing data on vendors, technical features of proposed procurement items, and costs.

Duties and responsibilities
Procurement planning, solicitation management and reporting
• Coordinate annual procurement planning with program/project teams.
• Consolidate categories for bulk purchase to attain quantity discounts, efficiency, and value for money.
• Review bid evaluation reports for accuracy and objectivity.
• Direct communication with bidders during competitive solicitations (responses to fact-finding questions, providing clarification in the event of complaint/compliment, notification of award, etc.).
• Documentation management in line with team standards for use by PATH and auditors.
• Live by PATH procurement prudence ethos and value in all undertakings.
• Develop procurement plans for projects with complex needs including planning, logistics, and the like for sensitive products.
• Guide on advance payment approval according to local business standards.
• Identify, monitor, and report on associated procurement risks.

Supply chain including shipment and order placement. • Provide supply chain technical assistance to projects, for Africa. Support coverage in other regions as needed.
• Conduct procurement and supply chain assessments, forecasting and strategic planning.
• Research and troubleshoot regulatory and importation processes (logistics, receiving, storage) relating to domestic and international procurements.
• Mentor logistics and procurement staff as needed.
• Issue POs in line with allowable threshold.
• Extensive use of PATH’s ERP to issue purchase orders and for vendor maintenance.

Partnerships and customer service excellence • Build partnership with country staff and other stakeholders’ procurement knowledge through trainings, coordination, and collaboration.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with internal customers and external suppliers and partners.

PATH/Donor requirements guide for project teams. • Lead project managers in following donor procurement regulations, waivers, exemptions, variances, and reporting.
• Establish, interpret, and advise on PATH policies, procedures and compliance issues relating to procurements.

Outreach and empowerment • Partner towards modifying or suggesting tools or job aids that make policy implementation efficient, user-friendly, and adaptable to the region served.
• Contribute towards procurement and supply chain tools for planning, forecasting, facilitating, evaluating, awarding, and approving procurements by leveraging current technology and implementing process improvements.
• Partner in the development of educational materials and facilitate trainings on procurement compliance and ongoing and targeted learning and resources for staff in the regions.

Required Skills and Experience • Four-year degree in business, economics or at least 2 years of relevant experience in a compliance or procurement or contracting setting; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Certification as a public procurement professional preferred or equivalent professional procurement certification.
• Experience with procurement or contracting and US Government federal funding compliance.
• Experience in project management.
• Cross-border work experience, particularly under United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding preferred.
• PATH is dedicated to diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills.
• English fluency, including speaking, writing, and understanding, reading, and conducting business.
• Proven effectiveness working in a team with minimal oversight.
• Highly proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with Smartsheet or Microsoft Project a plus.
• Experience working in an ERP systems or procurement technology solution(s).
• English being the principal language, French working knowledge for Africa region will be an added advantage.
• Must have legal authorization to work in one of the countries in Africa.