Procurement Officer

Job Summary

The Procurement Officer will oversee local sourcing and purchasing activities to secure goods and services that support effective programming for people facing poverty and vulnerability. This role is focused on running procurement operations efficiently while upholding stewardship, integrity, transparency, and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage procurement procedures so they remain fully compliant, and regularly review them for efficiency and improvement opportunities. Help ensure adherence to organizational procurement standards, donor rules, and local legal requirements.
• Work with internal teams to build and update a procurement plan that reflects required quantities, quality standards, and delivery timelines. Share pricing insights to support budget planning.
• Lead sourcing activities to secure the best overall value, including market research, cost estimation, drafting solicitation documents, supporting bid processes, identifying and evaluating suppliers, and preparing negotiation, contract, and purchase order paperwork.
• Coordinate closely with procurement, program, and operations teams to track the delivery and receipt of goods and services, and keep stakeholders informed on status and timelines.
• Maintain active communication with suppliers to follow contract terms, resolve issues when they arise, and review supplier performance for possible concerns, inefficiencies, or required changes to purchase orders or contracts.
• Ensure every procurement transaction has a complete and accurate record trail, including vendor files and procurement/inventory data, to support transparency, control, and accountability. Prepare reports and retrieve documents as needed.

Requirements

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 10%.
• Strong working knowledge of donor procurement rules such as USAID, Global Fund, KfW, EU, and UN requirements.
• Understanding of both international and local procurement regulations as well as market conditions.
• Solid grasp of procurement fundamentals, contract negotiation, and supplier/vendor management.
• Ability to interpret contract terms and close purchase orders according to specifications.
• Strong planning and coordination ability, with the capacity to manage competing priorities.
• High attention to detail and strong analytical thinking for independent decision-making.
• Results-driven, proactive, and service-oriented, with a focus on meeting customer needs.
• Commitment to ethical conduct and professional standards.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills.
• Professional certification is an advantage.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, especially Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; experience with database systems such as MS Access is highly desirable.
• No supervisory responsibility.
• Works internally with all staff and externally with vendors and program participants.

Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, or another relevant field is required, along with at least 3 years of experience in procurement/purchasing management, logistics, or administration. Experience with an international organization is preferred.

Core Competencies

• Accountability for personal actions and responsibilities.
• Integrity aligned with the organization’s guiding principles.
• Ability to build trust through consistent actions and communication.
• Collaboration in diverse and cross-cultural teams.
• Openness to learning and new perspectives.
• Ability to support change and continuous improvement.
• Capacity to develop others and strengthen team performance.
• Strategic thinking aligned with organizational priorities.

Benefits and Work Culture

The organization provides a benefits package for successful candidates based outside the United States in line with the country of employment and local office practices. Its workplace is collaborative, mission-driven, and centered on improving the lives of people living in poverty.

About the Organization

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. It operates in more than 100 countries and supports emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding programs. The organization welcomes staff from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to serving others.

The organization is committed to safeguarding children, vulnerable adults, program participants, community members, staff, and volunteers from abuse, exploitation, and harm. All successful candidates are expected to follow the Code of Conduct and related safeguarding policies.

Applicants should note that hiring is subject to the legal right to work in the country where the role is based. Positions that require residence or frequent travel outside the home country may also require medical clearance and, in some cases, a separate government medical examination. The organization gives preference to candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where it operates.

This job description is intended to outline the main responsibilities and requirements of the role, but it is not a complete list of every duty, skill, or effort involved. The organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer.