Global Insurance Category Buyer

Location: Any MSF office*

Contract: Fixed-term contract at 100%

Duration: 12 months

Starting date: ASAP

Deadline to apply: 05.01.2025

Compensation and benefits: MSF practice is to offer the C&B package current in the MSF entity establishing the contract.

*By default, the successful candidate will be offered a contract in the MSF office of their country of residence at the time of application.

I. MSF INTERNATIONAL

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.

MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 24 sections, 25 associations and other offices together. Registered in Switzerland, MSF International provides coordination, information and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implements international projects and initiatives as requested.

II. CONTEXT

Procurement of products and services is a critical activity for MSF operations and represents approximately half of MSF’s expenses. Therefore, MSF has undertaken significant efforts in recent years to strengthen and re-organize its procurement function, which have led to the creation of the Global Procurement Unit (GPU). The primary aim of the GPU is to streamline procurement activities and increase compliance, efficiency, and risk management.

Situated within MSF International Office, the role of the Global Procurement Unit is to lead global procurement strategies, to coordinate procurement efforts in the organization and to support the development of the procurement function across all MSF entities to efficiently contribute to MSF's social mission.

As part of the Global Procurement Unit, the Global Insurance Category Buyer will:

• Report hierarchically to the Head of the Global Indirect Procurement.

• Work closely with MSF’s International Insurance Steering Committee (IISC)* and especially with the International commercial Insurance advisor and with the International Legal Insurance advisor, Heads of Finances / HR departments, Insurance focal points and the buyer community throughout MSF.

• Interact with other stakeholders within the MSF movement: International Legal department (ILD), Data protection coordinator.

• The management of risk and insurances is done nationally by MSF entities and internationally by the International Insurance Steering Committee (IISC). Its purpose is to identify and propose insurance solutions to improve the management of risks and to manage the international insurance portfolio.

III. PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The overall objective of this position is to develop and lead Global Procurement Strategies to manage and optimize the procurement spend of the Categories under their responsibility, to ensure that they are pertinent, efficient and respond to the global needs of MSF.

IV. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

1.Build a comprehensive analysis of the category and a strategy that responds to the needs of MSF entities and that is in line with the strategic objectives of the Global Procurement Unit.

• Build a global picture of the category to provide an analysis on current situation and priorities.

• Establish the right channels of communication and processes to capture the needs from the different entities.

• Based on the above and on the strategic objectives of the GPU, formulate the strategic priorities for the category.

• Operationalise these strategic priorities into an action plan. Anticipate risks, resources and stakeholders to be engaged.

2. Lead the strategic procurement activities for the category.

• Perform the sourcing process for goods or services under assigned categories, in compliance with the procurement policy, the category strategy and the internal clients' requirements.

• Develop and maintain deep knowledge of market factors & trends affecting assigned categories, to develop supply chain optimization and risk mitigation strategies.

• Define, monitor and analyse the key indicators to follow your activity. Ensure that they respond to the needs of the entities, identify improvement areas and capitalize on them.

3. Manage and develop Supplier Relationships and serve as MSF focal point for the strategic suppliers under Category responsibility.

• Perform supplier segmentation and steer supplier relationships to develop a reliable and balanced supplier base.

• Implement a differentiated approach to developing strategic partnerships with priority suppliers and ensure unified messaging from MSF to the suppliers.

• Monitor supplier performance and ensure that structural corrective actions are taken when necessary. Handle escalations and strive to ensure issue resolution as well as mitigation.

• Encourage the engagement of suppliers into sustainability assessment.

4. Define, develop and maintain a network of stakeholders as procurement focal point for the Category.

• Know the main actors and key stakeholders for the category. Develop and mobilise a network required to smoothly carry out the activities under your responsibility.

• Develop and maintain a smooth flow of communication and feedback on the category activities to keep your stakeholders up to date and capture their feedback and areas of improvement.

• Give advice to internal stakeholders, line management and other stakeholders based on the Category expertise.

• Capacity Building: Support field teams to improve their skills and knowledge through the Intersectional Procurement advisors, sharing best practices and provide assistance when needed.

• Network with other actors / NGOs to develop Market and general Category expertise and identify potential opportunities.

V. PROBLEM-SOLVING

• Being able to develop and maintain close links with the IISC, Finance and HR departments and Insurance focal points of 6 OCs and 15 partners sections to ensure an in-depth understanding of multiple entities needs.

• Inside the frame of the strategic orientations of the GPU validated by the Executive Supply Chain Committee (ESCC), autonomy to lead the strategic procurement activities for the assigned category to respond at best to MSF global needs.

• Capacity to operationalize this strategy in action plan in coordination with all MSF entities and platforms involved.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, with ideally a specialization in purchasing or project management, or a combination of relevant education and professional experience.

• 5+ years of experience in Procurement of Insurance products and services or Supply-related function, of which 2+ years in strategic procurement including vendor management.

• Direct work experience in a complex multi-entity’ organization.

• Experience in global contracting and negotiations with insurance companies and brokers.

• Excellent knowledge of insurance market.

• Experience in MSF is an asset.

• Experience in project management is an added value.

Planning and organising

• Excellent strategic planning and analytical skills.

• Strong organizational skills, ability to handle multiple priorities at one time.

Communicating and influencing

• Demonstrate independent initiative, drive for change, improvement and innovation.  

• Excellent communication skills, assertiveness negotiation and influencing skills.

• Ability to work in a cross-cultural and cross-functional environment.

• Team player with strong customer orientation.

• Proficiency in standard office tools including Word, PowerPoint, Excel and data management.

• Fluent spoken and written English. Good command of French is a strong asset.  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

At MSF, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We welcome applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.