Lebanon: Regional Procurement Delegate MENA

The Norwegian Red Cross (NorCross) is part of the Red Cross Red Crescent (RCRC) Movement, the world’s largest humanitarian network with millions of volunteers operating in 190 countries. The RCRC Movement’s mission is to alleviate human suffering, protect life and health, and uphold human dignity especially during armed conflicts and other emergencies. The international engagement of NorCross is based on and guided by humanitarian needs and the humanitarian imperative aiming at achieving humanitarian objectives. Internationally, NorCross operates exclusively inside the framework of the RCRC Movement and has established regional and country offices to ensure decentralized decision-making and proximity to partners and projects.

In MENA, Norwegian Red Cross aims to provide access to quality healthcare, basic assistance and water and sanitation services for those displaced, returnee and vulnerable host communities affected by armed conflict.

Norwegian Red Cross contributes to build the capacity of National Societies (NS) in MENA as well as supporting their programs in health in emergency. Focus is placed on first aid and primary health care especially where the concerned governments are not able to fulfil the needs resulting of conflict or displacement. Community based health programmes focus on building the community preparedness and capacities building to mitigate trauma, sudden events and save lives.

The purpose of the regional procurement delegate is to ensure that Norwegian Red Cross country teams are able to undertake necessary operational logistics, procurement and supply chain services according to NorCross procedures & standards in cooperation with NSs in the Region.

Strategic Responsibilities

· Secure timely and quality logistics services and procurement process in support of Norwegian Red Cross humanitarian project deliveries and in accordance with professional standards.

· Coordinate the regional support and cooperation with IFRC and ICRC in the region and support Norwegian Red Cross finance development (FD) programmes in the region, specifically in procurement procedures.

Further mission specific responsibilities

· Manage all the procurement training for the Host National Societies (HNS) supported by NorCross.

· Support in the quality assurance for the procurement done through the NS working with NorCross under the working advance modality.

· Support the development of procurement procedures for Syria, Iraq, Yemen and possibly Libya.

Operational responsibilities

Rollout of new NorCross standards:

· Work with national office (NO) procurement coordinator to provide input on procurement policies, procedures and strategies, and make recommendations for improvement to enhance efficient and effective implementation of procurement and institutional goals.

· Work with national office procurement coordinator to provide input on the existing NorCross procurement forms, templates and process and update and/or develop new ones to support the revised procurement guidelines, procedures.

· Design and develop curricula and materials for procurement and logistics trainings and conduct the latter at country office and regional level.

· Work with national office procurement coordinator to provide input to develop procurement standards for use in the NorCross’ partner National Society development initiatives.

· Training of NorCross staff on the revised guidelines, procedures and tools.

Support ongoing operational procurement:

· Carryout market analysis for the different countries where NorCross works, with a view to finding best sourcing to achieve value for money in all procurements.

· Lead the procurement processes for all NorCross construction projects, with a view to getting the required legal processes, documentation and values to reduce any risk exposure.

· Prepare, launch and manage bidding processes according to necessity of regional team that cannot be handled by the procurement senior officer.

· Work with other movement partners in the procurement of medicine and medical equipment’s, paying attention to shelf life and storage requirements at the NS.

· Provide strategic and technical guidance on procurement activities, overseeing all international procurement assignments throughout the procurement cycle, from planning to vendor performance evaluation.

· Ensure that all procurement actions are undertaken in accordance with NorCross’ back donor procurement principles and prevailing NorCross’ policies and procedures.

· Provide advice to country offices (CO) and regional offices (RO) for forecasting, procurement planning and in-country logistics management.

· Lead procurement activities of COs in emergency contexts -upon approval of relevant fast-track procedures, by providing timely feedback on queries related to policy interpretation, approval of solicitation documents, clearance and submission of emergency supplies.

· Support regional finance manager (RFM) in performing compliance-related spot-checks to ensure adherence to regulations and rules, as well as with the relevant contract award authority.

· Take over duties of other procurement specialists when they are absent.

Support FD processes by providing technical capacities to development of procurement procedures and systems:

· Work with national office procurement coordinator to provide input on development of the procurement standards, guidelines, processes and templates for the NorCross FD.

· Procure and customize the procurement software to support the revised procurement guidelines and procedures within the NS where applicable.

We seek a person who;

· is a self-starter, makes things happen and is result oriented.

· communicates in a clear, precise and structured way; speaks with authority and conviction; presents effectively.

· makes an impact; convinces and persuades others; promotes plans and ideas successfully.

· collaborates well with others; shares knowledge, experience and information and supports others in the pursuit of team goals.

Education:

· Bachelor’s degree in Purchasing and Supplies Management plus membership to a professionally recognized body, preferably CIPS.

· Minimum seven (7) years relevant experience in purchasing and supplies management gained from a large organisation.

Experience with:

· Considerable knowledge of purchasing methods and procedures; working knowledge of sources of supplies, price trends and grades or quality of materials and equipment.

· Working knowledge of procurement policy and procedures as well as government and donor agencies procedures and regulations for acquisition and disposal of assets.

· Proficiency in word processing, database, spreadsheet applications and computerized procurement and stores software packages.

· Ability to maintain complex purchasing and inventory records.

· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other departments, vendors and the public.

· Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, make presentations and conduct negotiations.

· Demonstrated experience in preparing, evaluating and awarding of tenders including contract management.

· Extensive field experience in logistics and supply chain management processes.

Other skills:

· Fluency in English. Working proficiency in Arabic is an asset.

· International driving licence (manual gear) is required.

Reporting to:

Regional finance manager MENA based in Beirut.

Position is based in:

Beirut, Lebanon. The position is a family post

Contract:

12 months’ contract, with possibility for extension

Application deadline:

23.08.2019

For questions regarding the position please contact: Regional Finance Manager, David Okello / david.okello@redcross.no

Please apply through our electronic application system.

Why should you apply?

· Meaningful: Youll be a part of the world's largest humanitarian organization, reaching the most vulnerable people in their local community.

· Impact: You will help National Societies in the region to become strong, self-sustained and accountable humanitarian actors.

· Career: You will be connected to an international organization with staff based all over the world

· A great place to work: You will work in a multicultural environment with hard-working, dedicated and fun colleagues with a strong culture of collaboration, continual improvement, and celebration of wins.

Norwegian Red Cross strive to build a working culture based on respect, honesty and generosity. We follow the seven fundamental principles; Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary service, Unity and Universality

We do a thorough background check of relevant candidate.