Background/Context:
The IRC has operated in Syria since 2012, providing protection, health, economic recovery, and early childhood development programs in Idleb, Aleppo, Ar-Raqqa, Hassakeh, and Deir ez-Zor, with new programs expanding into Hama, rural Damascus, and Homs. With a team of over 350 members, the IRC has established trust and strong community relationships, ensuring access and effective service delivery.
Our longstanding experience in the country to date provides a strong foundation for the IRC to further adapt and expand its programming across Syria, in order to respond to the new realities, with a greater focus on resilience and recovery initiatives. Alongside this, the IRC also plays a significant role in Syriaโs NGO, donor, and coordination forums, holding key positions and actively engaging in advocacy efforts.
Job Overview:
The primary objective of this position is to support the Supply Chain function in developing world-class procurement practices to improve program support.
It requires the occupant to have a deep understanding of humanitarian supply chains, including but not limited to need assessment, sourcing, buying, and expediting procurements.
The success of this role requires close collaboration with field staff, country leadership, program teams, and GSC Quality Assurance.
Responsibilities:
Procurement Planning/Item Forecasting Perform Market Analyses by collecting, organizing, and analyzing market data and financial reports, and monitoring the Supply Market to ensure price quotations and Supplier offers are authentic and reasonable. Take lead in developing IF for active grants, in collaboration with program Coordinators/Managers and internal and external partners to support program implementation. Ensure program teams develop a distribution plan for supplies and monitor the procurements to avoid procuring items that are already in the warehouses. Coordinate with supply chain field staff to ensure that there are sufficient spaces in warehouses before sending program supplies to the field sites. Ensure that the Procurement department is well-staffed and roles and responsibilities of each staff member have clear job descriptions. Procurement Implement all IRC procurement Standard Operating Procedures to ensure compliance with IRC and donorsโ procurement policies. Work with program Admins in reviewing the IF for proper item descriptions, prices, and delivery lead times before uploading the IF into the system. Take the lead in uploading all fully approved IF to the system and coordinating with programs and procurement focal points on the next procurement processes. Maintain accurate procurement data and records and ensure on-time procurement reporting. Review procurement documents before payment Lead the bidding process, including Request for quotation process, Request for proposal process, Tender evaluation, and facilitating procurement committee functioning. Develop and implement category sourcing strategy. Set negotiation objectives and conduct negotiations with potential suppliers to ensure value for money Work with program teams in updating the country's product list Work with the procurement focal in all field locations to update the vendor list and vendor files on a monthly basis. Contracting Processes Prepare, review, and utilize Procurement contracts, including Master Agreements (MPA, MSA), to ensure favorable Procurement Terms and Conditions Set key performance indicators and service level agreements for contracts. Monitor contract implementation to ensure suppliersโ adherence to contract terms and conditions Prepare and submit timely and accurate procurement report(s) based on Power BI to inform the decision-making process. Implement and sustain segregation duties in procurement. Supplier Management Maintain mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers. Conduct Supplier performance reviews and feedback processes and maintain up-to-date and accurate supplier performance scorecards. Develop suppliers for sustainable value-adding procurement Compliance and EthicsAssist in implementing donor rules & regulations for all procurements (including any specific departmental procurement task assigned), Identifying and analyzing compliance risk in procurement processes through:-
Conduct procurement due diligence, including ATC check, supplier site visits, supplier background checks, and implement any other fraud prevention methods Conduct self-assessments of conformance to supply chain policies, procedures, controls, and performance Provide complete documents for audit and implement Corrective and/ or preventive action Plans (CAPA) Identify, document, and timely report any IRC procurement process deviations following the mechanism in place for appropriate follow-up. Develop and support the implementation of improvement plans. Provide constructive support to other functions to ensure effective compliance to policies & procedures. ReportingThe WoS Supply Chain Manager, Procurement, is responsible for preparing and submitting accurately: -
Item Forecasts (assigned) as required, by reviewing and guiding the sector leads on the population of the IF. Submit a monthly list of commitments to the Supply Chain Coordinator and Finance Submit periodic procurement reports, where necessary, to your team and SCC from Power BI Pharmaceutical Supply Chain: In collaboration with the health team, cross-border procurement officers create Item forecasts and supply planning for pharmaceutical supplies for all health projects by project start date. With the guidance and support from global pharma leadership, initiate the supply strategy for the supply of pharmaceuticals (global, regional, national), including freight. Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Manage end-to-end supply chain process for pharmaceutical, nutrition product, medical device, and medical equipment requirements. Serve as subject matter specialist for drug procurement and medical devices and equipment and service providers related to pharmaceutical regulations, and serve as a focal point for donorsโ requirements. Pharmaceutical management processes, such as supplier prequalification, demand planning and quantification, quality assurance and control, cold chain storage, distribution, and pharmacovigilance for Global and Regional Suppliers Provide technical advice and guidance to Country Program Supply Chain staff on donor compliance, importation, and sourcing from Global suppliers. Negotiate supply agreements and renewals, and cost-saving management Develop category strategy. Lead the RFQ and RFP process. Lead strategic supplier relationship management, which will include periodic business reviews with key suppliers to identify process improvements and cost reduction opportunities. Analyze spend data, supplier competitiveness, and cost models for continuous improvement. Develop supplier score cards and other analytics to enable the team to effectively manage supplier performance. Lead supplier selection and pre-qualification process for global and regional suppliers Support and participate in quality assurance and pharmacovigilance activities in conjunction with Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance and Health Unit as part of supplier relationship management. Conduct and coordinate regular and ad hoc inspections of IRC suppliers and their manufacturers, to safeguard the quality of supplies delivered to IRC beneficiaries for Global and Regional suppliers only. Ensure that Essential Drug Lists and lists of waived additional items are communicated to Global and Regional suppliers. Collaborate with Master Data Management to maintain accurate master data within the ERP. Emergency Pre-Positioned Stock Strategic sourcing of suppliers for stocks required for Emergency response. Inventory management with all suppliers and monthly reporting to country finance Release authority for all pre-positioned stock Focal point for country programs regarding Emergency Stocks purchase. Partnerships Responsibilities Contribute to assessing, reviewing, and analyzing technical areas of procurement after every PCA is conducted. Be up to date with the latest information on all partner procurements carried out by IRC and identify any issues that might need urgent attention. Monitor progress made with partners on any capacity development initiatives i.e. trainings, mentorship and coaching Identify and report any risks in procurement from partners and share with the Supply Chain Manager for further action where necessary. Carry out market analysis that will help partners during their procurement processes and evaluations whilst at the same time ensuring best value for money. Support partners to develop their procurement plans in line with their budget, spending plans and work plans. Where necessary, support partners by attending procurements evaluation meetings such as bid analysis, vendor selection as an observer and for the purpose of providing guidance. Ensures Partners comprehension about ethical practices in procurement, and compliance. Champion robust partner relationship management characterized by the core partnership principles from IRCโs Partnership Excellence for Equality and Results System (PEERS) of responsibility, results-oriented approach, equality, transparency, and complementarity. Work closely with all Partnerships team in promoting PEERS policy whilst working with partners as far as partnerships is concerned including fostering quarterly monitoring visits and drawing lessons from Supply Chain Perspective. Working together with the sectors leads and Supply Chain function leads on CIKโs and donations. Any other duties assigned by the line Manager from time to time. Indirect Categories: Identify high-spend global categories for goods and services by collaborating with supply chain teams based in the regions Orchestrate sourcing of various categories. Demonstrate significant expertise in contract negotiations and cost management. Develop category strategies for the Indirect categories. Run RFQ, RFP process for these categories in global and regional contexts. Nurture supplier relationships Lead strategic supplier relationship management to continually identify process improvements and cost-reduction opportunities. Well-versed in analysis of spend data and cost models for continuous improvement. Develop supplier scorecards and other analytics to enable the team to effectively assess supplier performance.Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:
Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
Coach, train, supervise, and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
Approve and manage time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, minimally on a monthly basis.
Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team, and providing guidance on career paths.
As required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate.
Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures and communicate through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.
Job Requirements:
University Degree or relevant experience
6 years of progressively responsible professional experience in supply chain operations (Procurement), of which 2 years in a managerial role.
Previous experience in an emergency or conflict-afflicted setting is required.
Work Experience & Education:
Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:
A commitment to IRCโs mission, vision, values, and IRC Way โ Professional Code of Conduct. Credible written, presentation, and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information effectively, and solid experience providing training and staff development Validated sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to achieve effective resolution. Excellent management and interpersonal skills and a solid ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork, in a cross-cultural context. Validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities, and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional patience. Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior-level management and all other partners to maximize cooperation and productivity. Curiosity, a desire to continually learn and develop, and a sense of humor are a must. Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to complex matters while adhering to labor laws and internal policies.Language/Travel:
English and Arabic are a must, while Kurdish is desired. Travel: 40% to field sites in Syria and attending regional and global workshops and meetings.Key Working Relationships:
Position Reports to: Supply Chain Coordinator
Position directly supervises: Procurement Officers in Raqqa, Damascus, and the Procurement Assistant in Idleb
Indirect Reporting (If applicable): Field Director
Key Internal Contacts: Regular relationships with country Supply Chain staff at all levels, Field Director, and Project Coordinators/Managers. Actively participate in supply chain meetings and lead sessions as required.
Key External Contacts: May Serve as IRC Supply Chain representative in outside meetings, other non-governmental organizations, inter-agency groups, and foundations.
Professional Standards: IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way โ Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.
Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the country where this position is based and are currently residing outside of your home country, you may be eligible for an attractive relocation package. Eligibility is determined based on IRC's operational needs and specific role requirements. IRC strives to attract, motivate, and retain qualified national staff in our programs.
Accountability to Clients: IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery.