International Rescue Committee Procurement Manager - Emerging Technology and Digital Innovation Procurement Jobs in Kenya
International Rescue Committee Procurement Manager - Emerging Technology and Digital Innovation Procurement Jobs in Kenya;This is a hands-on, execution-focused procurement role responsible for supporting emerging technology and digital innovation initiatives across IRC. The position ensures technology pilots, SaaS solutions, AI-enabled tools, and digital innovation projects move efficiently through procurement processes while maintaining compliance, risk controls, and governance requirements.
The role serves as the primary procurement focal point for emerging technology sourcing and reports to the Senior Category Manager, IT.
Key Responsibilities
Emerging Technology & Digital Innovation Sourcing
Support procurement activities for technology pilots, proof-of-concepts, SaaS solutions, startup vendors, and digital innovation initiatives.
Execute sourcing activities in alignment with the IT category strategy.
Conduct market research and supplier analysis for emerging technologies and digital solutions.
Support requirements gathering, supplier identification, RFI/RFQ/RFP processes, evaluations, vendor selection, and contract execution.
Expand visibility of innovation-focused vendors and emerging technology providers.
Support SaaS renewal planning, demand management, and license optimization.
Assist business teams in translating technical requirements into procurement specifications and scopes of work.
Pilot, Trial & Proof-of-Concept Frameworks
Develop and maintain procurement processes for pilots, trials, and proof-of-concept engagements.
Create checklists, decision tools, templates, and documentation standards.
Ensure required approvals and reviews are completed before technology testing begins.
Track technology requests from intake through pilot completion and potential scale-up.
Coordinate NDAs and pre-procurement documentation.
Support decision-making on whether solutions should be discontinued, expanded, or formally sourced.
AI-Enabled & High-Risk Technology Procurement
Support procurement of AI-enabled technologies and digital solutions.
Assist with AI risk assessments, approval requirements, and governance processes.
Coordinate with AI Governance and Risk Committee representatives when required.
Identify and escalate procurement requests involving sensitive data, cybersecurity risks, AI functionality, or other high-risk technologies.
Maintain documentation supporting AI approvals, assessments, and compliance reviews.
Vendor Due Diligence & Risk Management
Coordinate vendor risk assessments covering cybersecurity, data protection, legal, financial, operational, and compliance risks.
Collaborate with Information Security, Legal, Data Protection, Risk, Compliance, and Finance teams to complete required reviews.
Ensure procurement documentation is complete, compliant, and audit-ready.
Support donor compliance requirements related to technology procurement, data hosting, and vendor selection.
Track pending approvals, documentation, and risk assessments.
Tool & Vendor Management
Maintain records of emerging technology tools and vendors, including approval status and approved use cases.
Track contract status, business ownership, renewal dates, and vendor information.
Document approved tool usage and identify situations requiring additional approval or procurement action.
Support collaboration between business owners, IT, Procurement, Legal, Security, and Finance teams.
Monitor and flag unauthorized or non-approved tool usage.
Contracting & Commercial Support
Support negotiation and contracting for software licenses, SaaS solutions, cloud services, implementation services, pilot agreements, and renewals.
Review pricing models including subscriptions, usage-based pricing, API charges, licensing costs, implementation fees, and renewals.
Coordinate contract reviews to ensure appropriate provisions for security, privacy, intellectual property, service levels, and exit management.
Ensure AI-related contracts address AI-specific risks and governance requirements.
Support renewal
planning and contract lifecycle management.
Stakeholder Engagement & Service Support
Provide practical procurement support to teams evaluating digital tools, automation solutions, SaaS platforms, and emerging technologies.
Guide stakeholders through procurement requirements while maintaining compliance and minimizing delays.
Coordinate collaboration among business, IT, Procurement, Legal, Information Security, Data Protection, and Finance stakeholders.
Reduce shadow IT and unapproved purchasing activities by promoting compliant procurement processes.
Support early engagement with teams considering new technologies before vendor commitments are made.
Reporting & Continuous Improvement
Monitor sourcing pipelines, renewal schedules, procurement cycle times, savings, risks, approvals, and documentation completion.
Track pilot outcomes and lessons learned.
Monitor adoption issues and compliance concerns related to technology solutions.
Recommend improvements to procurement frameworks, templates, and decision-making tools.
Contribute to knowledge sharing on SaaS, AI, emerging technologies, and digital innovation procurement.
Key Working Relationships
Reports to: Senior Category Manager, IT.
Collaborates with IT, Information Security, Data Protection, Legal, Ethics & Compliance, Risk Management, Finance, Airbel Impact Lab, Data & Analytics, Country Programs, and Global Procurement teams.
Works with technology vendors, SaaS providers, cloud service providers, AI vendors, cybersecurity companies, startup organizations, and industry stakeholders.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Business Administration, Information Technology, Engineering, Law, or a related field.
Minimum five (5) to seven (7) years of experience in procurement, sourcing, contract management, or vendor management.
At least three (3) years of experience in IT procurement, software licensing, SaaS solutions, cloud services, cybersecurity tools, data platforms, or related technology categories.
Experience supporting pilots, proof-of-concepts, trials, and early-stage technology sourcing initiatives.
Experience coordinating vendor due diligence and technology risk assessments.
Experience supporting sourcing events, supplier evaluations, commercial analysis, and contract administration.
Good understanding of technology procurement risks including information security, privacy, intellectual property, licensing, and third-party risk management.
Ability to collaborate effectively with IT, Legal, Information Security, Data Protection, Finance, and business stakeholders.
Strong stakeholder engagement, communication, and relationship management skills.
Ability to balance speed, compliance, risk management, and business needs.
Experience working within NGOs, donor-funded organizations, humanitarian agencies, UN organizations, or complex global environments.
Knowledge of donor compliance requirements including USAID/BHA, FCDO, ECHO, EU, UN agencies, or private foundations.
Professional certification such as CIPS, CPSM, or equivalent completed or in progress is desirable.
Working knowledge of French, Spanish, or Arabic is an added advantage.
How to apply
For more information and job application details, see; International Rescue Committee Procurement Manager - Emerging Technology and Digital Innovation Procurement Jobs in Kenya
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