British High Commission Head of Regional Procurement Hub Jobs in South Africa

British High Commission Head of Regional Procurement Hub Jobs in South Africa

Main purpose of job:

Based in Pretoria the job holder will have a critical leadership role across a regional network of UK Government presence. Including Embassy’s, High Commission and other Posts the Head of the Regional Procurement Hub will provide strategic direction for commercial activity within the Africa region, leading a team of procurement / commercial specialists based in Pretoria, Nigeria and Kenya working closely with Commercial teams in the UK and other overseas locations.

The jobholder will be accountable for the overall delivery of commercial services across the regional network by the regional procurement hub, setting, implementing strategy, ensure the team’s compliance to procurement processes and procedures and undertake the leadership and management activities.

They will have responsibility for setting priorities and management of risk, seeking and delivering on opportunity areas to drive better value for money whilst aligning to FCDO objectives and UK Government principles for commercial activity.

They will work closely with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders across multiple geographic locations, who have requirements for commercial activity and support; this will give the successful applicant an excellent overview of the FCDO and insight into the work of different departments across the network.

The role is line managed from the UK by the Head of Procurement Delivery, and is part of the wider FCDO Commercial function.

Due to the remote management aspect of the role the job holder will also require strong leadership, communication, interpersonal, and supervisory skills, setting the overall strategic objectives for the hub, undertaking reviews, taking responsibility for staff learning and development as well as overall leadership of the hub to include accountability for, savings and performance delivery.

When possible, there will be opportunities to travel between the hub locations, driving motivation, enthusiasm and team empowerment across all hub staff. Based in the role requires an independent self-starter able to work effectively across a distributed team with line management for the role provided from the UK.

The FCDO has a regional structure for Finance, Procurement and HR across the whole network and the role will have pastoral care responsibilities for other Hub staff at the and play an active part in Africa Network corporate life.

Roles and responsibilities:

Reporting to the Head of Regional Procurement Hubs in the UK, will have responsibility for management and leadership of the Regional Procurement Teams based in Pretoria, Nigeria and Kenya (7 staff total with majority of the team based in Pretoria).

Responsible for working with stakeholders and other procurement teams across the regional network providing leadership as well as, developing and co-ordinating delivery of commercial solutions which meet customer requirements and achieve value for money for the FCDO and HM Government.

Developing relationships with senior stakeholders at the UK’s Embassies and Consulates, including Deputy High Commissioners and Corporate Service Directors (also including those Partners across Government) across the region to promote commercial best practice, leading the team to develop a pipeline of requirements in order to identify strategic procurement opportunities and forecast resourcing requirements.

Leading the team to manage the contract tender process for various procurement / contract-related goods, services or works projects, including sourcing of suppliers, input and agreement of specification, preparation of tender documentation, liaison and coordination with suppliers to clarify requirements, coordination and evaluation of bids, seek appropriate approval, direct negotiation, agreement of contracts and management and closure of contracts.

Ensuring the team procurements meet quality, legal, audit, HM Treasury and Cabinet Office requirements. All aligned to the global processes and utilising the specified E-Procurement application ensuring data quality and completeness.

Leading the team to develop

regional category strategies including development of regional market research and sourcing of potential suppliers.

Contributing to global category development with local expertise and knowledge of spend, markets, and environments, being accountable for the input for the Africa region into global category strategy.

Being able to coach the team in developing their knowledge and experiences in developing and delivering category strategy activity.

Providing advice on contract management process and advising on supplier relationship management, an escalation point for the most complex issues.

Generally supporting to develop the contract management capability in the FCDO and key stakeholders in region.

Discuss and resolve contractual disputes, taking appropriate action to protect the FCDO’s interest.

Manage, implement and ensure the team periodically review local procurement processes and procedures to meet UK FCDO procurement guidance working with the procurement policy teams in the UK to develop and standardise new policies and processes to ensure compliance and effectiveness across the region.

Challenging how we do things to ensure a culture of continuous improvement and taking the lead globally on certain objectives on behalf of the hub network overall and not just the Africa team.

Hold accountability for hub performance, including analysis of data, impact of risks / issues and identify strategic priorities.

Working with the UK capability teams development of commercial capability of regionally based staff working with or having responsibility for procurement, identifying development/training needs and solutions.

Regular stakeholder engagement to promote activities across the region, raising the profile of hub capabilities and commercial practices.

Building / maintaining an inclusive and positive environment for the hub staff, leading, and behaving in a way that supports the FCDO cultural statement, acting as a role model for the team and across other hubs / Commercial.

Provide overall leadership, guidance and support to the teams and post, promote efficiencies, risk management solutions and be the conduit between other hubs and the UK commercial team.

Build effective relationships with other hubs to share best practice, lesson learning and collaborative working across the network.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

Line management of 1 X SEO (Deputy Head of Hub) 3 X HEO (Procurement Managers), 2 X EO (Procurement Leads) 1 X EO (Procurement Officer)

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Commercial Technical Skills

Previous experience in leading on complex commercial situations and leading teams to deliver great commercial outcomes (demonstrable line management experience)

Leadership and Management Skills

Working Internationally - Previous experience in working in a procurement capacity which is regional / international and beyond domestic market

Managing Change and Improvements - Evidence of the ability to identify potential improvements and successfully manage changes that deliver beneficial commercial outcomes

Developing Self and Others - Experience in coaching and mentoring to build capability at all levels of a commercial function, including a team and direct reports

Communicating and Influencing - Proven experience in influencing internal and external stakeholders

Bachelor’s Degree in Business or related field; MCIPS or CPSM (or studying towards) or relevant certification or MBA

Extensive English language and Spanish &/or Portuguese

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; British High Commission Head of Regional Procurement Hub Jobs in South Africa

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