Procurement Assistant at the International Rescue Committee (IRC)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Procurement Assistant

Requisition ID: req52823
Location: Katsina
Sector: Supply Chain
Employment Category: Regular
Employment Type: Full-Time
Work Arrangement: In-person

Project Overview

• The BHA (Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance) project, “Integrated Emergency Response to the Displaced Population in Zamfara, Sokoto, And Katsina States, Northwest Nigeria’  depending on fund availability will be carried out by a consortium led by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in collaboration with the Alliance for International Medical Action (Alima), Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI), and Life Helpers Initiative (LHI), aims to leverage each partner's expertise to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to internally displaced people populations through area-based approach.
• The Consortium partners will provide an integrated multisectoral intervention in Health, Nutrition, WASH, Protection, and Multi-purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) activities in Zamfara, Katsina, and Sokoto states in collaboration with state governments, UN organizations and other key actors in Northwest Nigeria.
• The project will be implemented by a dedicated support, quality assurance, and coordination team, who will work closely with all partners through a management unit of well-structured consortium governance for the activity.

Job Overview / Summary

• The Procurement Assistant  is responsible for assisting the  Supply Chain Officer with  efficient coordination and management of procurement functions for IRC’s office. Supply Chain must be able to rapidly procure Program supplies, services, and equipment, whilst ensuring best practices and maintaining audit-compliant records.
• The Procurement Assistant ensures that all purchases of goods and services are done transparently, at the best available price, and in compliance with IRC and donor procurement policy and procedures.

Major Responsibilities
Procurement Planning:

• The Procurement Assistant  is responsible for working closely with Supply Chain Officers, internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective procurement planning and preparation to support program implementation. Supply chain planning includes
• Preparing and implementing procurement plans
• Collecting, organizing, and analyzing data
• Monitor supply market and conduct market surveys & analysis.
• Implementing all IRC procurement SOPs

Procurement:

• Support with  implementing procurement plan & strategies and ensures all program procurement needs are met on time in accordance with GSC and donors’ standards. This includes: -
• Support in development of procurement specifications - Processing approved Purchase request through the procurement software and ensuring data accuracy.
• Participate in tender meetings & evaluations.
• Prepare bids analysis and other bidding documents for approval.
• Conduct negotiations with suppliers that is transparent and documented.
• Demonstrate value for money in procurement.
• Request for quotations / proposals.

Contract Management:

• Preparing and executing contracts for recommended bidders
• Timely renewal of running contracts.
• Execute contracts against set performance indicators
• Responsible for managing contracts and supplier performance to ensure that terms & conditions, standard operating procedures are adhered to as provided by GSC. 

Supplier Management:

• Support with managing supplier relationships and performance to ensure that there is precise record keeping as provided by GSC. This includes: -
• Maintain suppliers file and documentation
• Documents supplier performance
• Maintain supplier performance score cards.

Compliance and Ethics:

• Assist in implementing donor rules & regulations for all procurements (including any specific departmental procurement task assigned), Identifying and analyzing compliance risk in procurement processes through: -
• Implementing due diligence for suppliers, this includes conducting reference checks, supplier visits etc.
• Provide consistent and constructive support to other departments to ensure compliance with policies and procedures
• identifying and reporting procurement red flags,
• Implementing internal and external audit corrective action plans (CAPs)

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: Regular relationships with program staff, Operations, and country Supply Chain staff at all levels
• External: Vendors and Service providers.

Qualifications
Job requirements:

• Diploma or Degree in  a relevant field.
• MUST possess a high level of integrity and with good interpersonal skills
• Ready to work in difficult environmental conditions
• Good Knowledge of Ms Office, ERP etc.
• Must possess at least three (2) years experience in Supply Chain management
• Competency in Microsoft suites  ( Ms word, excel, PPT,outlook)
• Must have cognate skills in computer appreciation.

Personal Characteristics:

• Strong sense of personal integrity
• Ability to multi-task
• Team spirit and problem-solving ability.
• Attention to detail.
• Strong supervisory skills

Work Environment:

• The position will be based in Katsina State, Nigeria. The situation in northwest Nigeria continues to be volatile and the security phase is orange or red depending on location. This is a national position.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply