Senior Procurement Officer

The Senior Procurement Officer supports the planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of procurement and contractual activities in support of the AUSSOM mandate and operational requirements. The role involves acquisition of goods, services, and works in accordance with AU procurement policies within a complex and high-risk field mission environment.

Responsibilities

• Supports the planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of procurement and contractual activities in support of the AUSSOM mandate and operational requirements
• Contributes to the acquisition of goods, services, and works in accordance with applicable AU procurement policies, procedures, financial rules, and regulatory frameworks
• Supports procurement planning, sourcing activities, solicitation processes, bid evaluations, contract administration, and vendor management activities relating to Mission operational requirements
• Assists in coordinating Requests for Quotations (RFQs), Invitations to Bid (ITBs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Long-Term Agreements (LTAs), and other procurement processes in accordance with applicable AU procedures
• Supports procurement compliance, risk monitoring, documentation management, and quality assurance activities relating to procurement and contractual operations
• Contributes to procurement reporting, vendor coordination, market assessments, and operational procurement support activities in support of Mission effectiveness and continuity
• Supports coordination and liaison activities with Mission components, contractors, vendors, AU procurement structures, and relevant stakeholders on procurement and contractual matters
• Contributes to procurement monitoring, inventory coordination, operational procurement tracking, and vendor follow-up activities relating to Mission support requirements
• Supports the maintenance of procurement records, contractual files, procurement databases, vendor information, and procurement management systems in accordance with applicable procedures and record management requirements
• Assists in supporting procurement planning and operational procurement requirements during routine and emergency operational activities within the Mission area
• Acts as Secretary to the Internal Procurement Committee and Tender Board, as required, and supports related procurement review and governance processes
• Coordinates the preparation and consolidation of procurement plans and contributes to monitoring implementation of approved procurement activities
• Supports vendor and contractor performance reviews to promote accountability, transparency, value for money, and effective contract implementation
• Assists in supervising, guiding, mentoring, and coordinating subordinate procurement personnel and related support teams, as required
• Performs any other duties as assigned by the supervisor

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Logistics, Commerce, Public Administration, Finance, Law, or a related field with a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant professional experience in procurement, contract management, sourcing, vendor management, or operational procurement support within complex operational environments including at least three (3) years at supervisory level
• Or Bachelor's degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Logistics, Commerce, Public Administration, Finance, Law, or a related field with a minimum of ten (10) years of relevant professional experience in procurement, contract management, sourcing, vendor management, or operational procurement support within complex operational environments including at least three (3) years at supervisory level
• Professional certification or membership in a recognized procurement and supply professional body such as CIPS or equivalent is an added advantage
• Experience in AU, UN, or other international field missions, particularly in conflict or post-conflict environments, is desirable
• Experience in procurement planning, solicitation processes, contract administration, vendor management, procurement compliance, and procurement governance activities is desirable
• Experience in handling RFQs, ITBs, RFPs, LTAs, procurement evaluations, and procurement documentation within institutional procurement frameworks is desirable
• Experience in procurement monitoring, audit support, inventory coordination, operational procurement support, and supply chain management activities is desirable
• Experience in web-based procurement management systems, ERP platforms such as SAP, procurement databases, and standard Microsoft Office applications is desirable
• Strong analytical, reporting, coordination, negotiation, and procurement compliance skills are required
• Strong procurement, contract management, sourcing, and operational procurement support skills within complex operational environments
• Good understanding of AU procurement policies, procedures, financial rules, contractual frameworks, and procurement compliance requirements
• Ability to support procurement planning, solicitation processes, bid evaluations, vendor management, and contract administration activities in accordance with applicable procurement procedures
• Ability to coordinate RFQs, ITBs, RFPs, LTAs, and other procurement processes
• Strong analytical, procurement reporting, documentation management, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to coordinate effectively with Mission components, vendors, contractors, AU procurement structures, and relevant stakeholders on procurement and contractual matters
• Good understanding of procurement risk management, procurement monitoring, audit support, inventory coordination, and operational procurement tracking activities
• Strong planning, organizational, supervisory, and team management skills
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and respond to evolving operational procurement requirements within a fast-paced field mission environment
• Proficiency in the use of procurement management systems, ERP platforms such as SAP, procurement databases, and standard Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to maintain professionalism, accountability, transparency, confidentiality, and sound judgment in procurement and contractual activities
• Proficiency in one of the AU official working languages is required. Knowledge of another AU official working language is an added advantage

Skills

• Procurement Planning
• Contract Management
• Sourcing
• Vendor Management
• Operational Procurement
• Procurement Compliance
• Procurement Governance
• RFQ Coordination
• ITB Coordination
• RFP Coordination
• LTA Coordination
• Procurement Evaluation
• Procurement Documentation
• Procurement Monitoring
• Audit Support
• Inventory coordination
• Supply Chain Management
• Procurement Reporting
• Negotiation
• Procurement Risk Management
• Procurement Management Systems
• ERP platforms
• SAP
• Procurement Database Management
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Team Management
• Supervisory Abilities

Languages

English