Procurement Officer

Catholic Relief Services a Development Organization is seeking qualified, experienced, and highly motivated Procurement Officer who will work closely with the Procurement Manager to coordinate local procurement activities and processes to acquire goods and services in support of the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. You will coordinate the quality and efficiency of procurement and purchasing activities and ensure stewardship, integrity, transparency, and accountability. You will Provide service in the day-to-day delivery of responsive, effective, and efficient administrative/logistic activities in support of the Sub-office and the antenna in the region. In close collaboration with the Security Officer of the Country Program and the program coordinator, you will also ensure daily follow up on implementation of security guidance and protocols as regional security focal person to support of high-quality programs serving the poor and vulnerable and improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.

The position is based in Maroua / Cameroon

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate fully compliant procurement systems and operating procedures. Assess effectiveness and efficiency and recommend improvements. Contribute to ensuring compliance with CRS procurement principles, standards, and policies, donor regulations, and local statutory requirements.
• Coordinate with various departments to develop and maintain an up-to-date procurement plan with all quantities, quality and delivery requirements for goods, cash, and voucher assistance (CVA) and services. Provide pricing information to assist budget holders with budget preparation.
• Coordinate sourcing process to ensure the best value for money. Key activities include market assessments and price monitoring, defining supplier evaluation criteria, facilitating transparent and consistent bidding and vendor selection processes, quality and availability of goods assessment, negotiation, and contract/purchase order preparation.
• Communicate with other procurement staff and various program and operations units to coordinate and track goods/services delivery and receipt and keep everyone informed of the status. Collect information to confirm that goods/services and CVA assets delivered are what have been ordered in the correct quantities and quality, they arrive on schedule and at the right cost.
• Maintain correspondence and constant contact with suppliers and voucher vendors to follow up on the execution of contractual terms and conditions, and handle issues if needed. Monitor and report on supplier performance, noting current and/or potential issues and/or inefficiencies and assist with contract/purchase order modifications.
• Accountable for transparency within the procurement department through ensuring a complete, accurate and up-to-date document trail of all procurement processes, vendor files, procurement, and inventory database to assist with control and accountability. Prepare reports and facilitate document retrieval.
• Provide service in the day-to-day delivery of responsive, effective, and efficient administrative activities in support of the Sub-office and the antenna in the region.
• Support travel and logistics arrangements for staff and visitors, schedule, and coordinate appointments, provide logistical and communication support to event planning activities.
• Support implementation of property management processes, such as property receipt and distribution, property labeling, physical counts, etc.
• Serve as Security Focal Point in Maroua. Represent CRS in security meetings and share minutes. Ensure timely and accurate reporting of security incidents.
• In close collaboration with the Security Officer of the CP, ensure daily follow up on implementation of security guidance and protocols: Ensure security guidance are respected during field trips and mission. Provide security briefings/guidance to staff and visitors.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or other relevant degree.
• Minimum of 3 years work experience in procurement /purchasing management, logistics, administration, preferably with an international organization.
• Good knowledge of various donor procurement regulations (e.g., BMZ/KfW, USAID, etc.)
• Knowledge of international and national procurement regulations and local market conditions.
• Knowledge of contract terms, as well as a proven ability to successfully complete purchase orders against specifications.
• Ability to influence without direct authority.
• Ability and desire to work well with diverse employees and customers in a cooperative and friendly manner.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully disseminating information to a variety of target audiences.
• Professional certification is a plus.
• Knowledge of market assessments.
• Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Experience with database management systems (e.g., MS Access) highly desirable.

Required Languages

• Professional proficiency required in French and preferred in English.

Personal Skills

• Good planning and coordination skills and ability to prioritize competing priorities effectively.
• Good analytical skills with ability to make independent judgment and decisions.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented with focus on meeting customer needs
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Good negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills

Required Travel: Must be willing and able to travel up to 20% (mostly within Cameroon).

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position