Regional Supply Chain Management Specialist

With 75 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.

Come join our 31,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!

Key Responsibilities:

This position reports directly to the Regional Supply Chain Management (SCM) Director.

This position will provide overall support to Regional Supply Chain Management Director (RSCMD) to oversight and manage all aspects of Supply Chain Management at the Regional Office (RO) and Field Office (FO) level in the East Africa Region (EAR) Region. The Regional Supply Chain Specialist is the technical focal point for regional supply chain connecting Field Offices, Global Center stakeholders, Shared Services and where required Support Offices and donors, for supply chain related matters. This position is part of the RO team with a focus on ensuring stewardship, accountability, risk reduction and management strategies, leading the planning and sourcing of all key program spend that best serves the strategic and program objectives of the FO’s while ensuring best value for money.

Responsible for supporting the Regional SCM Director in organizing, leading, contributing to and facilitating supply chain management (SCM) assessment and implementation programmes within each of the Field Offices that will have the greatest impact on process improvement, simplification, standardization and cost containment to the achievement of the Child Well Being Outcomes of World Vision. 

The core responsibilities of the role include assisting and advising Field Offices (FO) in the sourcing of goods, works and services, capacity building of the supply chain team including the full adoption of a global Source to Pay system (ProVision) , driving SCM KPIs delivery including purchasing efficiency and benefits reporting, procurement documentation quality reviews, and supporting the development of regional and FOs sourcing strategies to ensure value for money is achieved through world class sourcing strategies and procurement policies, processes & governance structure.

Ability to complete project-level SCM strategic activities in a timely and professional manner with sufficient attention to detail in deliverables, and regular and thorough reporting and project communications. Facilitate exchanges of best practices and work with partners and counterparts in the specific field and programme areas on supply chain issues for relief, development, and advocacy.

Development of supply chain planning, procurement (sourcing and buying), vendor management, cost containment, transport, warehousing, inventory management, materials handling and packaging, reverse logistics, metrics and KPIs, risk management information & systems, and vehicle fleet management. Responsibilities include: 

KEY RESPONSIBILITES:

Leadership

• Support & contribute Regional SCM Director in developing strategies, business plans, projects plan, etc.

• Provide ongoing updates on the regional performance in Supply Chain to the RSCM Director and other relevant stakeholders.

• Provide input to global policies, guidelines and standards relating to supply chain, enterprise risk and compliance and in contextualizing and implementing these within the region.

• Be the expert on market dynamics, the supply base and regulatory framework by country and for the region as a whole to ensure supply strategies are in place, tailored and optimize.

• Involve in the Procurement HoD/senior buyer selection process e.g. interview process, review technical assessment. etc. and review the operating models. 

• Provide technicality aspect and support in emergency and fragile contexts to ensure the seamless supply chain operation despite the geographic size and market complexity, challenging environment in the region.

• Demonstrate and practice servant and spiritual leadership and be a role model for the staff team, peers and others.

• Lead in Strategic sourcing, effective contract management, supplier- relationship management, elimination of variation and wastes and focusing on continuous process improvement to create procurement process improvements.

Capacity Development

• Facilitate / support FO SCM Teams’ capacity assessments (including FO Supply Chain Leads’ as required) in identifying capacity gaps and replicate the same for the FO Teams with the FO SCM Heads.

• Draft capacity building plans, identify capacity building opportunities and conduct / promote training for FO SCM and RO Team and Coordinate professional and personal development of FO SCM staff through effective orientation, training and on job coaching.

• Orient and / or train FO SCM teams and other WVI Departments including Regional Office on WVI Procurement Policies, Processes, and Systems/ Tool.

• Conduct the technical sessions to FOs SCM based on the request from FOs or planned activities from the Region as a part of capacity building.

• Provide insights in finalizing RSCM inputs on the performance of the FO Supply Chain Managers through performance reviews, frequent conversations and other methods as appropriate. Be courageous in providing coaching or feedback for continuous performance improvement.

• In partnership with the RSCMD and FO leadership provide strong support to the FO SCM departments ensuring talented and motivated staff are hired, retained and developed, providing efficient delivery of SCM services and programs.

Strategic Sourcing

• Strategic sourcing, effective contract management, supplier- relationship management, elimination of variation and wastes and focusing on continuous process improvement to create procurement process improvement.

• Support RSCMD to establish regional SCM strategies and deliver of SCM activities across the region and FO’s leading to optimal service, product supply, inventory management, best value for money, while mitigating risk and establishing WV SCM as a competitive driver with donor recognition.

• Develop and implement annual regional sourcing plans as part of multi-year plan for the region and each FO insuring GC and RO contracts are leveraged where they provide best overall value

•  Ensuring best value for money at the program level through on going strategic sourcing efforts, including continuous market analysis, supplier performance evaluation, and leveraging economies of scale. This involves aligning procurement decisions with programmatic needs, negotiating favourable terms, and fostering long-term supplier partnerships to drive cost-efficiency, quality, and sustainability across the supply chain.

• Building market intelligence through ongoing market assessments to understand and respond to supply risk, cost, fluctuating financial market

• Leveraging demand and spend across all countries to drive the best overall value through regional and FO contracts.

• Quarterly procurement plan updates and adjustments based on changing actual demand to ensure supply continuity, minimize stockouts and align sourcing strategies with evolving programmatic needs.

• Standardization and categorization of WV supplies and commodity-specific projects towards achieving strategic buying.

• Develop, manage and negotiate the Regional and FO contracts to include suppliers, consultants and construction works.

• Leading and setting negotiation strategy for long term and major expenditure contracts

• Management of supplier performance against contractual terms, conditions and deliverables

• Compliance to local laws and regulations

• Contract amendments as needed

• Minimizing risk and exposure to WV

• Plan and coordinate departmental meetings to review status of tasks and update Senior Management Team on the progress of the departments’ functions Lead monthly appropriate review meeting to address open procurement issues/performance and provide solution.

Stewardship, Supply Chain Initiatives & Innovation

• Review existing systems & tools, capacity-building approaches, communication platforms, etc. and continually develop them to improve the service level to FOs and other stakeholders.     

• Lead areas of improvement in terms of process efficiency, cost reduction, SCM quality improvement, etc. in the engagements with FOs in process walk-throughs, routine reviews, exceptions handling and pre-reviews of global initiatives.

• Develop internal and external best practices (from cross regions/FOs, like-minded organizations, SCM researchers, SCM professional bodies, etc.) to blend with Regional SCM Operations in increasing functional outcomes.

• Lead / Co-lead Global / Regional / FO process improvement, business model designs, pilots (system and tool-related), etc. initiatives.

• Take a lead role in coordinating/leading multi-country complex procurements in normal and emergency setting.

• Identify regional and country Supply Chain strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) through market analysis, operational assessments, regional procurement and contracting capacity and develop action plans in partnership with global, regional and country staff accordingly.

• Provide inputs to develop and to change a core set of metrics to measure, assess Supply Chain efficiency and success in the country programs.

• Facilitate/support FOs in Defining the targeted change, analyse the current state, designing the project plan, Execution and conducting Post-Implementation-Reviews of FO improvement initiatives.

• Verify that country office Supply Chain policies are appropriate, documented, disseminated and required monitoring processes are effective.

• Ensure effective and cost efficient SCM processes, measures and controls are in place in the FO’s and provide analysis, benchmarks and recommendations for determining effective resource utilization across RO/FO SCM.

Quality Assurance and Risk Management

• In partnership with WV Legal, ensure that contracting practices within a country are as effective as possible, ensure supply is assured from quality suppliers and risk to WVI is mitigated and compliance with local law.

• Provide inputs in developing risk identification & assessment tools, registers and other tools and assess both Regional and FOs SCM-related risks, and coordinate with FOs in implementing the mitigation plans.

• Provide inputs for better coordination with Regional Audit for pre / during / post audit in identifying SCM risks and non-compliances to take mitigation measures. 

• Monitor adherence to control measures and compliance with WV supply chain policies and guidelines.

• Escalate any form of breach of controls, frauds, non-compliance, or misappropriation of WV funds and assets related to SCM identified during the monitoring process.

• Facilitate to implementation of agreed audit recommendations and process improvement memos in the procurement process and update the management.

Strategic Partnering (Internal & External)

• Develop strong networks internally (FOs, other Regions, GAM, DMT, SO’s, DMT and other partnership entities) and externally (other NGOs, Supplier Networks, Logistics Cluster) through effective communications, and relationships and twin citizenship.

• Participate and actively contribute in Global/Regional/FO forums, working groups and networks related to Supply Chain as deemed necessary by regional & global leadership and also be a voice for FOs.

• Networking with like-minded organizations, research & academic institutions, professional bodies, etc. for sharing expertise, resources, mutual learning and new knowledge development.

• Clearly articulate to all stakeholders including external vendors and WV service providers WV’s policy where required to ensure integrity in our practices

General

• Support Christian activities that enrich and develop mutual growth in Christ.

• Perform any other tasks assigned by Line Manager, Functional Manager.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND EXPERIENCE

Required Education, training, license, registration, and/or Certification

• Master’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Engineering, or Business Administration.

• CIPS Level 6.

• Degree in Supply Chain Management, Bachelor of Commerce, Business Administration, or equivalent.

• Supply Chain Management Certificates and Membership with recognized Supply Chain Institutes.

Required Professional Experience

• A minimum of eight (8) years NGO/ Corporate of progressively responsible experience in procurement, contracts management, stakeholder engagements, contracts administration and/or logistics, of which five (5) years of experience directly related to first-hand procurement and/or contracting is required.

• 5 years’ experience in technical leadership role and experience in managing staff.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in English

Required travel and/or work environment accommodations

• 30% travel to FOs, WV offices is expected.

• Coordinating a virtual, dispersed regional teams.

Preferred Experience, Knowledge and/or other Qualifications

• Knowledge of Humanitarian Emergency Affairs

• Knowledge of developing Dashboard using Excel or PBI

• Thorough understanding of Principles Manual and demonstrated competence in supply chain spend management systems such as: Coupa

• Strong analytical, organizational, problem solving, time management and cross-cultural skills

• A proven track record of delivering consistent, quality results with accountability and integrity.

• Ability to cope under significant pressure

• Ability to deliver projects on time

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships

• Ability to communicate and negotiate with key internal and external stakeholders

• Familiar with NGO donor supply chain trends

Applicant Types Accepted:

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organisation with a mission centred on following Jesus Christ in service to the world´s most vulnerable children. Therefore, in all locations to the fullest extent legally permissible, the successful applicant will affirm our core documents, observe conduct compatible with Christian principles, serve at a high level of professional ethics and strive to act in accordance with cultural sensitivities. Furthermore, regular attendance with team and office devotions, chapel and prayer gatherings are expected in line with policies in the World Vision host location and its departments.