Vacancy Title: Procurement Officer – USAID Dawa za Ubora Project

About Us

Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS) is a faith-based health solutions provider founded by an ecumenical partnership of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and the Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK). The Organization’s core mandate is to provide reliable and affordable Health Products and Technologies, Quality Assurance and Health Systems Strengthening Services. MEDS was established in 1986 and serves clients spread all over Kenya, other regions in Africa and beyond.

Project Summary

MEDS has entered into a Contract with USAID Kenya and East Africa named USAID Dawa za Ubora. The purpose of the contract is to obtain efficient, reliable and accountable supply chain management services for the procurement, warehousing, and distribution of health commodities for HIV, Malaria, Tuberculosis, Maternal/Neonatal/Child Health (MNCH) and Global Health Security (GHS) activities for patients across all 47 Counties in Kenya for adequate care, treatment and prevention for communicable diseases and other health needs.

About the role

The procurement officer will work under the guidance and direct supervision of the Subcontract Manager. The incumbent supports the planning, managing, and reporting on procurement and supply chain management. The officer will work closely with MEDS colleagues’, the donor and partners providing relevant services. S/he will support the project to align approaches to improve supply chain and or health commodities management.

An ideal candidate should possess demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the complexity of supply chain management and pharmaceutical management models for health products in Kenya. S/he should have experience engaging with the private sector and public sector stakeholders. The position will be based in Nairobi Metropolis, Kenya with occasional in country travels as needed.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Support the project team in development of the Master Procurement Plan and contribute to regular updates of the plan in reference to annual project work plans.
2. Support the Sub-Contracts Manager in the development of vendor prequalification exercise, solicitation documents, evaluation templates, managing responses and preparation of the evaluation Committee for vendor selection
3. Maintain the documentation of the competition process.
4. Solicitation of quotations from vendors for the procurement of goods and services as per donor guidelines
5. Conduct market research pertaining to prevailing market prices of products and services
6. Prepare quotation matrix for selection and approval by the committee and or Sub-Contract Manager
7. Ensure best procurement practices are observed at all times e.g., all certifications regarding conflict of interest and disclosure of relationships in procurement processes
8. Perform vendor checks for exclusion list of parties through SAM.gov, OFAC and UN sanctions list
9. Support the Subcontracts Manager in ensuring all procurements are allowable and not restricted or prohibited under the USAID regulations.
10. Conduct vendor appraisals and document any performance concerns raised for decision making
11. Participate in the vendor evaluation process and provide guidance to committee members
12. Ensure all project procurements are allowable and approved within the provisions of the project manual and MEDS procedures
13. Maintain a systematic filing system of both hard and electronic copies of all procurements and subcontracts procured by the project.
14. Support audits and reviews through availing requested documentation when needed.
15. Perform any other duties as assigned by supervisor

Candidate Profile:

1. The candidate should have a bachelor’s Degree in business related course, law, pharmacy, public health, and international development with proven experience in providing technical assistance in the health supply chain
2. Minimum 5 years of relevant experience, preferably with specialization in procurement or supply chain management
3. Experience working on USAID-funded programs required
4. At least Level IV CIPS, KISM or similar Certification required
5. Registered membership in a professional body is a plus
6. Thorough knowledge of supply chain operations including procurement, forecasting, inventory systems and management and supplier development
7. Knowledge of procurement using ERP systems desired
8. Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize, and problem-solve under pressure