Procurement Team Leader

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Competitive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organisation in the region

Description 

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Operations and Management Directorate (OMD) provides corporate services to all SPC Divisions and Programmes. It consists of three key departments: Finance, Human Resources and Information Services. OMD is focused on improving the effectiveness of systems, policies and management to provide high-quality customer-oriented services.

The role – Procurement Team Leader will lead and manage the Suva-based Procurement Team members to deliver high quality advice and service for procurement activities; to provide accurate, expert and specialist advice on complex procurement activities; to build organisational capacity, capability and understanding of SPC’s Procurement Policy and to identify and implement improvements in processes.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Operations: Procurement

• Manage the Suva-based procurement staff to achieve quality outcomes from procurement activities, deliver high quality advice and harmonised and consistent service across SPC to the agreed service standards and in accordance with SPC’s Procurement Policy.
• Manage and maintain the external relationships with vendors and bidders, including preferred suppliers.
• Ensure quality customer service is provided to SPC’s divisions undertaking procurement activities, and divisional relationships are maintained.
• Conduct workload planning for the team, based on SPC’s annual procurement plan.

Advice

• Provide expert advice on SPC procurement processes, including appropriate use of exceptions, and supply or sourcing matters.
• Advise decision-makers (including the Procurement Committee) on complex procurement issues taking into account stakeholder’s requirements to ensure value outcomes.
• Ensure internal reporting (to the governing body, Audit and Risk Committee, and Executive) is accurate and timely.

Management of staff

• Manage the procurement staff and resources.
• Ensure corporate requirements are met individually and as a team including the performance planning and assessment cycle and the requirements of finance, audit and risk reporting.
• Create a positive work environment and promote collaboration within the team and across functions and other divisions in the organization.

Outreach, education and training

• Provide capacity building to SPC staff in procurement functions.
• Build collaborative relationships with staff across OMD and SPC.
• Ensure communication with key stakeholders and build strong relationships.

Systems and processes

• Identify and implement improvement to procurement tools and systems to assist with building understanding and compliance.
• Identify recommendations on policy and process updates.
• Lead on components of improvements in procurement.

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.

 

Key selection criteria 

Qualifications 

• Post graduate qualification in a relevant field.

Technical expertise

• At least 7-8 years’ experience leading a team providing advice on procurement matters in a public sector or not-for-profit environment.
• Excellent analytical and negotiation skills.    

Language skills 

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness 

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.

 

Salary, terms and conditions 

Contract Duration – 3 years – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Procurement Team Leader is a band 11 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,091‒3,864 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 9,211–11,513 (USD 4,111–5,138; EUR 3,831–4,789). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax.

Benefits for international employees based in Fiji – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,350–3,000 per month. Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution).

Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.

Recruitment principles – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilingualism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals. If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s Privacy Policy.

 

Application procedure 

Closing Date: 23 June 2024 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000674 

Applicants must apply online at http://careers.spc.int/

Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.

For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:

• an updated resume with contact details for three professional referees
• a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
• responses to all screening questions

Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage if all the above documents are not provided. Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference. Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

For international staff in Fiji, only one foreign national per family can be employed with an entity operating in Fiji at any one given time. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.

SPC does not charge a fee to consider your application and will never ask for your banking or financial information during the recruitment process. 

Screening Questions (maximum of 2,000 characters per question):

1. In a team leadership role, effective communication is crucial. How do you ensure clear and open communication within the procurement team and with external stakeholders, such as suppliers and other parts of the organisation?
2. Describe a successful procurement project that you have managed from start to finish. What were the key objectives, challenges, and outcomes, and how did your leadership contribute to its success?
3. What technology and tools are essential to ensure a high performing procurement team and what technology and tools have you used to optimise procurement processes and increase efficiency within your team? How do you stay informed about emerging procurement technologies and trends?

Position Description