Regional Supply Chain and Operations Director (Africa/Asia)

Location:

Position Location:

Description

Position: Regional Supply Chain and Operations Director (Africa/Asia)

Location: Any country where RI has an office with frequent travels in the region.

Reports to: Regional Director – Africa Asia (technical line to Global Support Office Supply Chain and Operations Director)

Direct Reports: Regional IT Coordinator, Regional Supply Chain and Operations Coordinator; Regional Administration Officer, dotted line management of Supply Chain and Operations Managers in all Country Offices of Africa/Asia region

Travel: This role requires periodic travel to RI countries within the region. 

About Relief International:

Relief International (RI) is a leading non-profit organization working in 16 countries globally to relieve poverty, ensure well-being and advance dignity. We specialize in fragile settings, responding to natural disasters, humanitarian crises and chronic poverty.

RI combines humanitarian and development approaches to provide immediate services while laying the groundwork for long-term impact. Our signature approach – which we call the RI Way—emphasizes local participation, an integration of services, strategic partnerships and a focus on civic skills. In this way, we empower communities to find, design and implement the solutions that work best for them.

RI includes the four corporate members of the RI Alliance: RI-US, RI-UK, MRCA/RI-France and RI-Europe. Under our alliance agreement, we operate as a single, shared management structure. 

About our Country/Regional Programs: 

RI operates in nine countries in the Africa/Asia region: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, South Sudan, Sudan and Chad, with a focus on the four RI sector pillars: Health, WASH, Education and Economic Opportunity.  RI currently employs more than 3,500 staff (direct and indirect) in the Africa/Asia region and implements a range of emergency response and development programs valued at approximately $50 million USD on an annual basis.

Position Summary:

As a senior member of the Africa/Asia Regional Team, the Regional Supply Chain and Operations Director acts as an advisor to the region on all Supply Chain and Operations matters (procurement, stock/inventory management, fleet, facilities and assets management). S/he will provide virtual and in-country support to the Supply Chain and Operations teams of all country offices in the Africa/Asia region to support their input into new business proposals, and identify and improve operations and supply chain effectiveness, while also supporting effective communication and information flow among regional and global offices and ensuring compliance to all relevant RI and donor policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBIITIES and DUTIES: 

Technical and Management 

Supply Chain & Operations (SCO) Management

·         Ensure country SCO are accountable for high performing supply chains and effective operations

·         Ensure country SCO staffing structures and resources are in place enable overall SCO efficiency and accountability.

·         Support country management teams to setup and management a high performing supply chain and operations capability that enables project performance and quality, as well as with identifying and managing operational issues and risks

·         Embed cross functional ways of working between SCO and other departments that enable overall project delivery performance and quality

·         Regularly review country SCO data to identify areas of improvement and propose fixes that are agreed and implemented by the country management

·         Work with the regional and global peers, including in HR, finance, SCO, Awards Management and Assurance to identify and address key SCO risks and audit findings.

·         Support the selection and on-boarding of key country SCO staff, and provide continuous coaching to identified individuals to grow their skills and competencies

·         Enable SCO staff secondments between departments and countries to grow individual capacities and RIs pool of globally deployable SCO experts

·         Conduct process deep dives in SCO areas to identify process inefficiencies and make relevant improvements, in compliance with internal and donor requirements, with the country management team

·         Maintain technical knowledge of donor rules and regulations to ensure compliance with donor requirements.

Procurement

·         Ensure country SCO are suitable skilled and are appropriate involved embedded in proposal design

·         Ensure procurement planning and demand planning and forecasting continuously drives on time delivery at value for money

·         Ensure sourcing, purchasing and delivery are done efficiently, in compliance with RI, donor and local regulations

·         Ensure country procurement strategies are up to date, are followed, and drive purchasing decisions, with relevant strategic supplier agreements in place

·         Review and/or approve (checking for value for money and compliance) all high level procurements ($50,000 and above and all tenders), framework agreements, leases and other large value, high risk financial commitments.

Warehousing and Logistics

·         In country RI supply chains and associated transport and warehouses setup are efficient, with annual country supply chain reviews

·         Ensure stock tractability through the supply chain (including by batch and expiry date), and that stock management is in line with RIs policy and best practices guidelines

·         Ensure stock information is communicated effectively with program and other stakeholders to minimise overstocking, expired/unused stock and program site stock outs

·         Ensure warehouse Good Storage and Distribution Practices (GSDP) checklists are done periodically in all RI managed warehouses, identifying gaps and agreeing and following up on improvement plans

·         Enable country SCO staff to support program staff with distribution planning and implementation

·         support the implementation of new warehouse systems

Operations:

Ensure RI offices are managed effectively

·         This includes utilities, waste management, office consumables, maintenance, cleaners, receptionist, IT, office security, office admin

·         Ensure RI office costs per location are regularly assessed to identify any cost or operating efficiencies, agreeing any relevant changes with the country management team

·         Ensure all RI assets and low value equipment (e.g. furniture) are managed in accordance with RI and donor requirements, including all assets

o   are reflected in RI asset and equipment registers, with relevant documentation filed appropriately

o   are maintained properly to ensure effective functioning and maximum shelf life to RI

o   Are regularly assessed to ensure best use. transferring between programs or donating to partners where relevant, or selling or disposing where appropriate

·         Ensure staff follow the organisation travel policy related to all staff travel

·         Ensure RI fleets, rented and owned, are being managed and used safely and effectively

·         Ensure sufficient owned or rented vehicles are available to support project needs

·         Ensure RI vehicles are maintained correctly to ensure their safety and longevity, with relevant recovery, emergency and medical kits present and regularly checked

·         Ensure RI drivers are suitably qualified and receive relevant training

·         Ensure RI and rented vehicle drivers understand and follow RIs Driver Code of Conduct

·         Ensure rented vehicle contracts include terms required by RI (related to vehicle condition, driver criteria, replacements, insurance, etc.)

Other

·         Responsible for the inventory and assets management for the Africa/Asia RSO Office

·         Other responsibilities as assigned.

Safeguarding 

·         Uphold and promote RI’s commitment to ensuring the safeguarding and safety of the vulnerable communities we serve.

·         Consistent with RI’s safeguarding and protection policies, ensure all people who come into contact with Relief International are as safe as possible.

Equity and Diversity commitment 

·         Demonstrate sensitivity and understanding of systemic diversity and cultural differences.

·         Ensure that gender equity is addressed in our staffing and programming 

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS REQUIREMENTS 

This position will require a demonstrated ability to achieve results in a demanding and fast paced environment.

·         Master’s degree or other internationally recognised Supply Chain or Procurement qualification

·         At least 10 years’ experience working in global or international positions

·         At least 3 years’ experience working at a regional level in an international organisation

·         Extensive SC & Ops management experience in international development and humanitarian programs, experience in Africa and/or Asia preferred.

·         Demonstrated ability to contribute to operational management systems in large complex programs.

·         Knowledge of international humanitarian and development systems, institutions and donors (including UN agencies, BHA, and ECHO), and of procedures, accountability frameworks and best practices.

·         In depth knowledge and experience of supply chain systems and requirements in a multi field office, multi program setting.

·         Direct experience of supporting the delivery of humanitarian programs, in a technical or operational role, in at least three different contexts.

·         Senior management role within a complex country program and/or in a large scale emergency response.

·         Cold chain and/or pharmaceutical supply chain expertise preferred.

·         Substantial training and capacity building experience.

·         Culturally sensitive, with highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching.

·         Experience supporting and developing programmatic staff with different backgrounds and expertise.

·         A degree in a relevant field.

·         English language fluency is required.

RI Values:  

We uphold the Humanitarian Principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality and operational independence. We affirmatively engage the most vulnerable communities.

We value:

·         Inclusiveness

·         Transparency and accountability

·         Agility and innovation

·         Collaboration

·         Sustainability