Intersectional Procurement Advisor - Abidjan

Location: Abidjan – with 50% time traveling to field locations

Contract: 1 year at 100%, renewable

Starting date: ASAP

Deadline to apply: 12th of December 2025

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

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, 27 associations and 18 branch 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. POSITION BACKGROUND

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.

III. PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION

As part of the Global Procurement Unit, the Intersectional field procurement advisor will:

• Report to the Head of Global Field Procurement.

• Work closely with Field Procurement teams, supply and/or log coordinators, Heads of Missions and other mission coordinators, Supply and Log referents, Cell members and other GPU team members.

• Interact with other stakeholders within the MSF movement

IV. OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION

The overall objective of this position is to support procurement activities in the field and foster the use of procurement best-practices and ensure that they are pertinent, efficient and respond to the global needs of MSF.

V. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Front office support for mutualized and non-mutualized procurement in country programs (from distance)

   • Provide strategic and technical support to country programs via IPMs or OC supply teams at both regional and mission levels

   • Develop awareness on procurement in the OCs through stakeholders involved in field procurement.

   • Actively participate in intersectional field procurement mutualization discussions and ensure a proper set up of its governance at country program level.

2. On hand support for mutualized and non-mutualized procurement in country programs (based on demand)

   • In coordination with OCs procurement advisors provide hands-on operational procurement support upon request: needs assessment, market assessment, sourcing, negotiation, supplier performance monitoring, tools and trainings.

3. Act as functional manager for field Intersectional Procurement Managers.

   • Provide the technical and practical expertise during the recruitment and selection process of IPMs.

   • Prepare the arrival of new IPMs by ensuring the briefing of different stakeholders at cell and mission level. Coordinate the onboarding of IPMs: briefings, induction and on the job training

   • Support the IPM in developing and executing their roadmap of activities by giving guidance and by helping remove roadblocks whenever needed.

   • Act as the Technical Manager of the IPMs, serve as the link between the IPM and GPU teams, facilitate their work and supporting the IPM to ensure smooth contract execution, including HR matters, technical aspects, and team integration.

4. Contribute to the strengthening of processes and tools to support procurement activities at field level.

   • Identify gaps on current processes, tools and guidelines, liaise and build with the global procurement process and tools team about the specific needs for the field.

   • Accompany the IPMs and Supply Teams at regional and mission level in the use of global process and tools and, if needed, propose and make the necessary adaptations to the global procurement process and tools team.

   • Foster the utilization of Supplier Portal and e-Sourcing tool in the field in coordination with the global procurement process and tools team.

5. Participate in the development and the strengthening of the field procurement community.

• Liaise between the IPMs, the Supply Teams at regional and mission level, and the resources available in the GPU (category experts, tools & process team, learning and development, sustainable procurement, legal advisor, etc.)

• Give regular updates to the procurement community on the advancement of the procurement roadmap in missions supported and followed by the GPU.

• Encourage peer learning and exchange of best practices and experiences among IPMs, Supply Teams and other working groups.

• Promote capacity-building initiatives offering tailored learning initiatives: training, workshops and other professional development opportunities for Supply Teams in the field.

• Improve/create country and regional market intelligence within the IPA's area of responsibility by developing documentation, guidelines, and promoting relevant procurement initiatives in the region.

Practical / technical knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree in business and/or supply chain with ideally a specialization in procurement or project management or a combination of relevant education and professional experience.

• 6+ years of experience in procurement direct or indirect spend including data analysis, sourcing, complex negotiation and contracting.

• 3+ years of Field experience in procurement /supply chain functions with MSF or another NGOs is a must.

• Experience in people management is a must

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.

Practical requirements

• Proficiency in Excel it’s a must.

• Fluent spoken and written English and French.

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.

MSF is committed to preventing abuse, inappropriate behaviour, lack of integrity and financial misconduct in its work and care spaces. MSF expects all staff to share this commitment and promote an environment where abuse and misconduct is not tolerated.

We are committed to removing barriers for people with specific accessibility needs. If you need an adjustment to the recruitment process to be considered for the role, please let us know from the beginning of the selection process.

Note: All offers of employment will be subject to reference checks and to appropriate screening checks. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her/their understanding of these recruitment procedures.