Senior Officer, Global Strategic Sourcing (Vehicle/Fleet/IT)

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC or “the Federation”) is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network. The Federation is a membership organization established by and comprised of its member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Along with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Federation is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” It works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

The Federation is served by a Secretariat based in Geneva, with regional and country offices throughout the world. The Secretariat is led by the IFRC Secretary General and provides the central capacity of the International Federation to serve, connect, and represent National Societies. The Secretariat’s focus includes providing support to the IFRC governance mechanisms; setting norms and standards; providing guidance; ensuring consistency, coordination, and accountability for performance; knowledge sharing; promoting collaboration within and respect for the RCRC Movement; and expanding engagement with partners. The Secretariat’s headquarters is organized in three main business groups: (i) Partnerships, including Movement and Membership; (ii) Programs and Operations; and (iii) Management Services.

The IFRC’s Global Humanitarian Services and Supply Chain Management Department is a core function supporting the IFRC humanitarian action. The Department has a global network including:

 Headquarters-based Supply Chain Management Department in Geneva
 Global Operational Procurement Team (GOPT) in Budapest
 Logistics Hub and Global Fleet office in Dubai
 Other Logistics Hubs like Panama, Australia, Las Palmas etc.
 Five regional operational supply chain units located in Panama, Kuala Lumpur, Nairobi, Beirut and Budapest
 Country-based logistics set-up

Global Humanitarian Services & Supply Chain Management is a function dedicated to:

 Provide the goods and services as needed by IFRC to deliver to the most vulnerable.
 Provide services to deliver visible value to the members, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the supply chain and strengthening its control.
 Developing talents & future leaders.

Job Purpose

The Global Strategic Sourcing Senior Officer is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies that provides best value for money (including best value country sourcing), ensure supply efficiency and quality in line with the IFRC Global Supply Chain Strategy, and ensuring that Procurement objectives are achieved. This role involves conducting market analysis, identifying and managing supplier relationships, and ensuring compliance with corporate and regulatory requirements. The Global Strategic Sourcing Senior Officer is accountable for global sourcing performance against set objectives for the categories falling under the scope of responsibilities. The Senior Officer collaborates with cross-functional teams and internal and external stakeholders at senior level to align sourcing initiatives with business objectives, enhance supplier performance, and support sustainability and risk management efforts. By leveraging data-driven insights and industry best practices, this role contributes to the organization's long-term competitiveness and operational efficiency.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Key areas of influence and key internal relationships include:
This senior level strategic role will be responsible to support the global/regional stakeholders and cross-functional team members to deliver optimal best value for money and efficiencies through know-how and strong expertise and credibility in the category. For this role, the primary sourcing category will be Vehicle and Fleet-related sourcing, with involvement, on need basis, in aspects of IT sourcing and other procurement activities.

Key Accountabilities
 Ensure full accountability for delivering best value for money for the categories assigned.
 Develop sourcing strategy and sourcing options; design and align strategic sourcing and procurement practices in alignment with the best value for money approach and support IFRC in delivering the objectives of the IFRC Supply Chain Strategy and Workplan. Drive supply efficiency, quality, and process improvements globally. Meet the set KPI targets.
 Ensure that local/regional strategies are integrated and in alignment with the global category approach and stakeholder requirements.
 For the Vehicle/Fleet category, in co-operation with the Head of Fleet and Dubai GFU team, develop a sourcing strategy, make market assessments, benchmarking, lead the discussions with the possible suppliers, manage the procurement process and long-term Framework Agreements (FA) establishments in alignment with the Supply Chain Strategy; develop a mechanism of handling long-term Agreements, including amendments (especially extension of model lists) within the validity of the Agreements with the involvement of legal and in alignment with the IFRC regulations.
 For other possible categories, co-operation with the relevant technical department and requestors, Global Supply Chain, Global Operational Procurement, Regions in developing sourcing strategy, managing procurement processes, and as per need establishing long-term Agreements in alignment with the actual Supply Chain Strategy and Workplan.
 Manage the whole process of Framework Agreement call-off orders within the core categories assigned to this role, including quote requests, PO placement, monitoring, and supporting the finance with the payment process.

 Align stakeholders (global and regional) for the implementation of the sourcing strategy through focused change management programs.
 Ensure that the different regions execute the sourcing strategy and actions as required and agreed. Where compliance is an issue, find and eliminate root causes.
 As a part of Supplier Relationship Management, support the operational procurement team with supplier negotiations and implement supplier development programs to promote sustainability.
 Understand regional industry trends, suppliers’ capabilities, and, with strong sourcing and supply chain expertise, support the relevant projects of the sites and regions.
 Develop negotiation strategies to deliver against objectives and achieve sustainable relationships with suppliers.
 Evaluate supplier core competencies and competitive positioning using industry cost models and benchmarking analysis.
 Significant external supplier-based knowledge must be applied, specifically leveraging the understanding of suppliers’ cost drivers and pricing strategies. Guide the management of key supplier relationships to ensure collaborative innovation are captured.

 Initiate and manage the RFx and procurement processes as defined by the strategy (Highly complex and/or large spend).
 Identify and drive cost reduction opportunities at global and regional level for the categories assigned to the role, with consideration to quality, cost, speed and service requirements, market conditions, risks and exposures, competitive landscape, and projected changes.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

 Provide regular reports and updates, including local, regional and/or global governing bodies (councils) as required.

 Support the Procurement Technical Review process and based on needs, perform technical reviews of procurement files submitted by the Regions and Global Hubs, for compliance and approval.

Key Stakeholders

Internally:
 Head of Fleet
 Dubai GFU team
 Program and Operations senior management
 Operational Management (e.g. Disaster Management)
 Fleet, IT, Admin functions Finance and Admin, Legal, Audit, HR,
 Operational Logistics, Global Operational Procurement and Supply Chain unit

Externally:
 Suppliers
 Industry Expert
 Government bodies
 Regulatory authorities
 Network of peers in own/others agencies
 Other Humanitarian Organizations (ICRC, UN, etc)

Duties applicable to all staff
1. Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals
2. Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles
3. Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager

Education

Required

• University degree in Business, Economics, Procurement, Engineering, IT or other relevant area or proven professional experience in the area of expertise

Preferred

• Professional Procurement Qualification highly preferred

Experience

Required

• Minimum of 3-5 years of relevant procurement experience with ability to identify industry costs structures and drivers. Ability to provide fact-based advice and development of market and industry analysis
• Experience in tendering and/or sourcing indirect categories/General services (preferably in vehicles/fleet related procurement, IT equipment, or general management services, finance services, consulting services, Legal, Insurance services.) or experience in sourcing reliefs items. Analyzing the industry trends and evolving trends to proactively identify opportunities to reduce cost, minimize risk, protect continuity of supply, and exploit emerging opportunities)
• Experience in managing the negotiation of substantial contracts and the resolution of conflicts and disputes
  

Preferred

• Experience within the commercial sector including supplier relationships
• Red Cross/Red Crescent knowledge and experience
  

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Required

• Ability to develop Sourcing initiatives while driving establishment and effective implementation of Global/Regional Framework Agreement
• Knowledge of developments and trends within the industry and knowledge of risk management. Knowledge of related quality systems (e.g. ISO series like ISO 9000, ISO 14001, knowledge of Fleet management systems, etc.)
• Problem solving skills
  
• Proven negotiating skills
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple tasks
• Extremely good communications skills (written and verbal) and ability to provide authoritative advice
• Technical credibility to challenge/influence internal stakeholders and has a strong understanding of the cost drivers to challenge suppliers
• Demonstrated broad understanding of the content, processes and delivery channels in the field of the assigned category, with sufficient knowledge to challenge and drive change and innovation
• Manage by influence
• Ability to work in matrix environment
• Ability to work in a cross-cultural and cross-functional environment, strong interpersonal skills
• Drive for change and improvement and ability to deliver strategies in a challenging environment
• Strong supplier management experience and able to maximize value of agreements to realize best value for money 

Preferred

• Proven staff management skills including remote management. Experience in different geographies and managing different cultures.
• Strong project management skills

LANGUAGES

Required

• Fluently spoken and written English 

Preferred

• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)

Competencies, Values and Comments

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability

Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust