Deputy Head of Global Indirect Procurement

Job description

Location: Any MSF office*

Contract: Fixed-term contract at 80-100%

Starting date: ASAP

End Date: 31/12/2026

Deadline to apply: 30/07/2026

Compensation and benefits: MSF practice is to offer the C&B package current in the MSF entity establishing the contract.

*By default, the successful candidate will be offered a contract in the MSF office of their country of residence at the time of application.

I. MSF INTERNATIONAL

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.

MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 24 sections, 25 associations and other offices together. Registered in Switzerland, MSF International provides coordination, information and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implements international projects and initiatives as requested.

II. CONTEXT

Procurement of products and services is a critical activity for MSF operations and represents approximately half of MSF’s expenses. Therefore, MSF has undertaken significant efforts in recent years to strengthen and re-organize its procurement function, which have led to the creation of the Global Procurement Unit (GPU). The primary aim of the GPU is to streamline procurement activities and increase compliance, efficiency, and risk management.

Situated within MSF International Office, the role of the Global Procurement Unit is to lead global procurement strategies, to coordinate procurement efforts in the organization and to support the development of the procurement function across all MSF entities to efficiently contribute to MSF's social mission.

The Global Procurement Unit is looking for a Head of Ad Interim or a Deputy Head of (option a) or Manager of (option b) Global Indirect Procurement for a short term mission till end of the year, who will:

• Report hierarchically to the Head of the Global Procurement Unit.

• Work closely with the Heads of resources, the Heads of procurement and the Heads of international platforms: HR, fundraising, International Insurance Steering committee (IISC), Information and systems management (ISM) (review slightly the language for option b)

• Interact with other stakeholders within the MSF movement: International Legal Department, Finance, HR, ICT and fundraising teams.

III. PURPOSE OF THE MISSION

The overall objective of this mission is to coordinate the development of Global Indirect Procurement activities across MSF entities and support the team to deliver their annual strategic objectives by end of 2026 while ensuring alignment with stakeholders on priority needs and results expected.

IV. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Ensure that global indirect procurement activities are carried out in line with the annual strategic objectives and MSF needs.

• Ensure the action plan of each buyer/advisor is executed to achieve 2026 priorities. Anticipate risks, resources and ensure stakeholders are engaged.

• Together with your team, capture the needs from the different entities and platforms for 2027.

• Based on these needs and on the strategic objectives of the GPU for 2027, formulate with your team strategic priorities for 2027 to enhance the value delivered by the indirect procurement activity to MSF.

• Based on impact report issued for the 1st semester of 2026, identify improvement areas and capitalize on them.

2. Lead the team working on global indirect procurement (, coordinate and ensure coherence between the different activities managed by them.

• Strengthen the working framework for your team. Bring the team together around the common working framework, vision and objectives under your responsibility.

• Accompany each member of your team in order to improve their contribution to the common objectives and promote their professional development.

• Promote a working environment that takes into account diversity of approaches and seniority in their position, and encourages trust and collaborative work. Regulate individual and collective tensions.

• Put forward the work stakes of the indirect team to the other teams in the GPU and the different MSF entities.

3. Foster collaboration between your team, the other teams working in the GPU (direct, field, processes and systems, etc.) and the procurement stakeholders working in the different entities.

• Know the main actors and key stakeholders for your activity. Develop and mobilise a network required to smoothly carry out the activities under your responsibility.

• Develop and maintain a smooth flow of communication and feedback on the global indirect procurement activities to keep your stakeholders up to date and capture their feedback and areas of improvement.

• Coordinate the existing platform including HQ Procurement Platform and the Strategic Sourcing Platform to engage indirect procurement community and ensure alignment between their activities.

4. Plan and manage the resources allocated to the activities under your responsibility.

• Conduct recruitment interviews and select your team members according to previously established criteria and MSF recruitment policy

• Ensure the proper use and monitoring of the resources made available for the activities under your responsibility.

V. PROBLEM-SOLVING

• Capacity to operationalize the strategic orientations of the GPU validated by the Executive Supply Chain Committee (ESCC) in action plan in coordination with all MSF entities involved.

• Capacity to coordinate work transversally with 6 OCs and 15 partners sections, across functions (ICT, HR, finance, fundraising, legal) and influence decision makers of all entities involved (Head of international platforms, Directors and International coordinators).

VI. DIMENSIONS

• 441MEuros in 2025 of procurement spend coordinated

• Manage a team of up to 7 team members including Global Category Buyers responsible for leading global strategies for non-medical products and services and HQ Procurement Advisors responsible for fostering the professionalization of procurement activities in HQs.

Job requirements

Practical / technical knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, with ideally a specialization in procurement or supply chain management, or a combination of relevant education and professional experience.

• Strategic procurement management profile with at least +5 years experience including:

o 5+ years demonstrated procurement expertise,

o 5+ years team management experience,

o Ideally on indirect categories,

o Ideally working with MSF experience, and knowledgeable about MSF governance and its global procurement roadmap, or with other ingos in the humanitarian sector.

• Proven experience with stakeholders’ management.

• Direct work experience in a complex multi-entities organization.

• Experience in global contracting and negotiations.

• Experience in project management is an added value. 

Planning and organising

• Excellent strategic planning and analytical skills.

• Strong organizational skills, ability to handle multiple priorities at one time.

Communicating and influencing

• Demonstrate independent initiative, drive for change, improvement.  

• Excellent communication skills, assertiveness negotiation and influencing skills.

• Ability to work in a cross-cultural and cross-functional environment.

• Team player with strong customer orientation.

Practical requirements

• Proficiency in standard office tools including Word, PowerPoint, Excel and data management.

• Fluent spoken and written English. Good command of French is a strong asset.  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

At MSF, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We welcome applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.

MSF is committed to preventing abuse, inappropriate behaviour, lack of integrity and financial misconduct in its work and care spaces. MSF expects all staff to share this commitment and promote an environment where abuse and misconduct is not tolerated.

We are committed to removing barriers for people with specific accessibility needs. If you need an adjustment to the recruitment process to be considered for the role, please let us know from the beginning of the selection process.

Note: All offers of employment will be subject to reference checks, including Human Resources, and to appropriate screening checks. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her/their understanding of these selection procedures.

• Paris, Île-de-France, France

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