Procurement Manager

Project Description 

SOCODEVI contributes to improving the living conditions of communities by supporting the creation and strengthening of sustainable and inclusive cooperative or mutual companies.

The Strong’HER project, is a strategically designed response to the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change, particularly vulnerability to drought and erratic precipitations. The 5 years project focuses on enhancing climatic change adaptation from 3 woredas in Oromia region and in Addis Ababa targeting 2,500 rural families, including over 1,300 women-headed households, and 4,000 women entrepreneurs. Central to Strong’HER’s strategy is advancing climatic change adaptation and reducing climate vulnerability within vital agricultural value chains, such as teff and legumes, alongside women-led value chains in small ruminants and poultry production. 

By focusing on climate resilience, the project is set to reduce the vulnerability of these systems to drought and erratic precipitations, thereby fostering agrifood systems that are not only sustainable but also capable of flourishing amidst the evolving climate landscape. This approach positions climate adaptation as the driving force behind strengthening these systems, resulting in enhanced food security and economic empowerment for women in the agricultural sector. 

By leveraging the cooperative model, Strong’HER aims to enhance the capacity of rural and urban women to develop and adopt climate resilient practices, and to participate actively in decision-making processes. This model will not only boost the democratic organisation and income of women but will also enhance the quality of their products by integrating climatic change adaptation measures. Addressing the fact that women are especially susceptible and disproportionately impacted by climatic change, the project will confront gender-specific barriers that impede their capacity to adapt and restrict their contributions and economic well-being in agribusiness. Strong’HER is committed to supporting women’s sustainable farm management in response to climatic change, thereby ensuring they have control over resources and benefits, and can expand their networks to fortify their resilience. Additionally, Strong’HER promotes gender equality and women’s empowerment by increasing their participation in leadership roles and ensuring access to resources and training.

Job Summary 

Reporting directly to the Country Director and working closely with the SOCODEVI Accounting Analyst in Canada, the Procurement Manager is responsible for the application of SOCODEVI’s and the donor’s administrative and financial standards, policies and procedures and particularly related to the goods and services procurement policy including: 

• Manage procurement processes delivering best quality in time and at the optimal value for cost and reliability to the project;

• Consistently and uniformly ensure implementation of the organization Procurement policy and procedure, ethical standards and ensuring that it is adhered to by all staff;

• Prepare and manage Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Invitations to Tender (ITTs), and bid evaluation processes;

• Review the procurement process to ensure completeness of documentation in compliance of SOCODEVI and donor procurement policy and procedures, internal rules (including Socodevi’s code of conduct) and all applicable laws and regulations;

• Source and evaluate potential suppliers, conduct due diligence, and manage supplier relationships;

• Identify and mitigate procurement risks, including conflicts of interest and fraud;

• Maintain a clear audit trail of all procurement activities and documentation;

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify procurement needs, develop a project procurement plan and ensure execution;

• Issue contracts and service/purchase orders (liaise with the relevant technical teams) to ensure that the technical requirements are adequately incorporated into the tender process and collaborate with various cross functional departments; evaluate contractual proposals and prepare the recommendations to award and participate to the contract committee if required;

• Ensure that the contracts signed are managed in accordance with the agreed contractual terms and conditions and that Socodevi’s interests are always protected; ensure the proper execution of purchasing operations;

• Develop and implement procurement strategies and policies to improve the procurement practices; to successfully prepare, negotiate and administer a broad range of complex, technical and high value/risk purchases. Identify cost-saving opportunities and negotiate favorable terms and pricing with suppliers and vendors;

• Ensure the good administration and filing of all the purchasing documents and ensure that all approvals, justifications, circulation forms etc… are filed in line with the applicable procedures;

• Ensure that all procurement activities meet audit requirements to minimize any potential partner/audit claims or court actions.

Working conditions 

SOCODEVI offers the following and a great work environment:  

• One-year contract, renewable annually;

• Regular working hours: 8 hours a day from Monday through Friday, for a total of 40 hours/week;

• Salary will be paid on a monthly basis;

• 20 working days of annual leave per calendar year. The annual leave is earned at the rate of 1.67 days per month;

• Working during evenings and week-ends might happen when necessary but shouldn’t be frequent.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred);

• Professional certification in procurement or supply chain management (e.g., CIPS, CPSM);

• At least 3 years of experience in similar positions in international development organizations; 

• Mastery of the full procurement cycle, with strong analysis and understanding of procurement principles;

• Strong organizational and time management skills; 

• Excellent knowledge of legal obligations and procurement policies;

• Advanced computer skills (Windows, MS Office, Sharepoint);

• Knowledge of  Ethiopian legal and tax environment.

Skills & knowledge

• Strong knowledge of procurement principles, practices, and international best practices;

• Exceptional negotiation and vendor management skills;

• Proficiency in procurement software and ERP systems e.g., SAP, Oracle, or similar platforms (would be an asset);

• Excellent analytical, organizational, and time management skills.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to prepare clear and concise reports.

• High level of integrity, with a commitment to transparency and accountability

• Excellent English verbal and written expression;

• Proficiency in Amharic and Afan Oromia is required; 

• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team;  

• Ability to communicate clearly;  

• Ability to analyze and synthesize; 

• Ability to work under pressure and deliver;

• Advanced computer skills (Windows, MS Office, Sharepoint).

Qualities

• Leadership   

• Autonomy   

• Rigor

• Critical thinking

• Proactivity   

• Creativity   

• Active listening  

• Negotiation   

• Interpersonal skills including adherence to values of equality and fairness 

How To Apply

To Apply: Send a cover letter, current resume with 3 referees to: recruitment.et@socodevi.org

Deadline to Send a cover letter, current resume with 3 referees: February 5th 2025 at midnight

The title of your message must contain the job title: Procurement Manager 

We are committed to the principles of fair hiring. Only those selected for an interview will receive an acknowledgement of receipt. 

At SOCODEVI, we recognize that promoting gender equality and a more inclusive world must apply as much to the communities targeted by our projects as to the people who implement them. We therefore

work to ensure a healthy, respectful and safe work environment for everyone on our team and we act, as an organization, in a responsible, fair and equitable manner.

As with all our positions, we encourage women, Aboriginal people, visible and ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities to apply. Your motivation and related experience can make all the difference, so don’t

hesitate to apply!