Deputy Head of Procurement

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LOCATION: UK (Remote)

REPORTING TO: Head of Procurement

ROLE TYPE: Full-time, Permanent

CLOSING DATE: 20th Jan 2025

ABOUT ARK

ARK is a social enterprise, empowering local communities through the provision of agile and sustainable interventions to create greater stability, opportunity and hope for the future.

We believe that strong, resilient communities are the foundation of local, national, regional and international development and stability - and ultimately a safer, peaceful and more prosperous world. At ARK, we have delivered research and programmatic interventions validating this approach in over twenty countries since 2008. As a social enterprise we work in partnership with communities, our donors, and other implementers to build local capacities, generate opportunity and bring about sustainable change.

Purpose of the Role

This role manages the operational functions of ARK's Logistics and Procurement (L&P) activities. This includes supervising L&P officers and reviewing procurement documentation to ensure it complies with ARK's policies and client regulations. Additionally, this role provides support for L&P activities as needed to alleviate workload pressures within the department. This role's main focus is to undertake the operational management of the L&P team. The role deputises for the Head of Department and works with the Head of Department on L&P priorities.

What you'll be doing

Leadership and Oversight:

• Responsible for managing the department's daily operations, ensuring tasks are conducted efficiently, effectively, and compliantly.
• Serve as the initial point of contact for resolving operational issues, including staff concerns, supplier challenges, and process inefficiencies, and escalate to the Head of Department when necessary.
• Provide guidance and coaching to department staff and encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing to develop a cohesive, high-performing team.
• Stand in for the Head of the Department to maintain continuity in leadership and decision-making when required.

Compliance and Documentation:

• Supervise and assist in drafting high-value and complex procurement documentation, such as tenders, contracts, and service agreements.
• Conduct pre-checks of procurement documents to ensure they are drafted to a high standard of English, comply with ARK's protocols, and adhere to procurement best practices.
• Provide constructive feedback to team members, supporting their development in producing high-quality, audit-ready documents.

Operations Management:

• Review procurement and logistics plans, identify challenges and develop solutions to minimise their impact on project delivery.
• Support team members in resolving operational challenges by assisting them in identifying and framing problems and developing solutions.
• Conduct risk assessments and develop contingency plans for high-risk and high-value activities.

Training, Development, and Decision-Making:

• Identify gaps, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement in procurement processes.
• Collaborate with the Head of Department to develop solutions to enhance and optimise staff and department performance.
• Develop and deliver training sessions for staff.
• Assist L&P Officers with personal development plans.

Requirements

Essential:

• A degree in supply chain management or full MCIPS accreditation (or significant progress towards completion), or equivalent experience.
• Fluent English, with strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft, review, and proofread contracts and related documentation.
• Ideally, a minimum of four years' experience working within the public sector, grant-funded, or charity environments.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities, with experience in guiding teams and advising stakeholders on best procurement practices.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, ERP systems, and other procurement-related tools.

Desirable:

• Full MCIPS accreditation.
• MSc in Supply Chain Management.
• Foreign language - preferably Arabic or French.
• Experience or knowledge of procurement within the defence, military, or law enforcement sector.
• Competency with MS SharePoint and MS Dynamics.
• Working within a culturally diverse environment.

Benefits

Why join ARK?

• Impactful Work: Your expertise will directly impact the lives of those in need.
• Global Reach: Collaborate with international experts and local stakeholders.
• Innovation: Engage in pioneering solutions for sustainable change.
• Career Growth: Expand your horizons with varied projects and challenges.

Our People

Our team covers a diverse range of professional backgrounds, from diplomacy, humanitarian, development and the military, to the UN, civil society groups, multilateral organizations, journalism and the private sector.

Smart: We think deeply about things. We're proud of our institutional knowledge and our grounding in rigorous research, which we use to make informed decisions.

Humble: Our work leaves little room for pride or arrogance. Our operating environment is constantly evolving, and we recognize our limitations. We believe in and rely on the education and experiences of others while remaining quick to read, invite feedback, and ask sensible questions.

Accountable: Each of us want ARK, its partners, and beneficiaries to succeed. This means taking initiative, assuming ownership when necessary and never giving up on our beneficiaries. We are committed and accountable, to both our donors and the communities we serve.

Collegiate: We know we are stronger together and that every contribution counts. We trust each other and always support each other.

Outspoken: We tackle diverse challenges, and we always want to find the best solution to a problem. We aren't afraid to share our opinions, and we want to hear those of others too.

ARK Group is an equal opportunity employer. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. ARK Group does not discriminate on the basis of ability, age, gender identity or expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs or sexual orientation. We welcome all kinds of diversity. ARK Group places human dignity at the center of its development and stabilization work and is committed to the protection from sexual exploitation and abuse of children and adults. All ARK Group employees and related personnel are expected to share this commitment and only those who also uphold these values will be recruited as part of our team. This vacancy is therefore subject to a range of due diligence checks.