ORGANISATION OVERVIEW

The Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) is a non-profit, public charity organisation that supports strengthens and promotes science innovation in Africa. The goal of the SFA Foundation is to address the continent’s most pressing developmental needs by generating scientific knowledge that solves problems and informs decision-making.

We serve the African research ecosystem by funding excellent research and innovation ideas; enabling interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, building and reinforcing environments that are conducive for scientists to thrive and producing quality research that generates new, locally relevant knowledge.

The SFA Foundation takes a holistic approach to the development of science. Our programmatic initiatives are crafted to cater to the entire science ecosystem and span across the value chain from early discovery sciences to translation sciences and target cross-cutting gaps.

Our commitment to strengthening the entire research ecosystem is reflected in the creation of major science and innovation programmes implemented through a well-established grant-making scheme, advocacy, and promotion of scientific excellence, emphasis on intra-Africa collaboration and evidence-based policymaking mechanisms.

POSITION OVERVIEW

JOB PURPOSE

The Manager – Procurement is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership of the procurement function at the SFA Foundation. This includes managing procurement processes, supplier relationships, contract administration, cost optimisation opportunities, compliance, and supply risk mitigation throughout the supply chain. The role ensures that procurement and inventory management practices are professional, efficient, and aligned with SFA Foundation’s overall strategy, objectives, and standards.

The Manager is also accountable for ensuring value for money and compliance with SFA Foundation Code of Ethics across all procurement activities, guided by organisational values and principles of efficiency, effectiveness, equity, and cost-effectiveness. The role drives continuous improvement, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building to maintain a high-performing, transparent, and ethical procurement environment.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Procurement and Operational Support

• Lead the development and implementation of a procurement strategy that aligns with the Foundation’s strategic objectives and deliver value to the organisation.
• Interpret and respond to operational procurement needs to ensure timely, cost-effective, and high-quality support to programmes and professional services departments.
• Ensure procurement decisions adhere to value-for-money principles (efficiency, effectiveness, equity, and economy) and the SFA Foundation’s Code of Ethics.
• Coordinate annual procurement planning, consolidating department inputs and monitoring implementation throughout the year.
• Advises executive, line management and programme teams on strategic sourcing of goods and services.
• Ensure that SFA Foundation procurement management meets international standards and complies with relevant regulations.

Procurement Policies, Procedures, and Process Management

• Oversee end-to-end procurement and inventory processes using professional standards and ethical practices.
• Ensure all procurement activities comply with SFA Foundation’s procurement policy, funder regulations, and applicable laws.
• Lead the development, review, and implementation of procurement policies, SOPs, and workflows.
• Identify and recommend policy amendments in line with the SFA Foundation and funder changes.
• Monitor policy adherence, implement internal controls, and support audit readiness.

Sourcing and Supply Management

• Lead all tender and sourcing processes, including preparation, advertising, evaluation, negotiation and supplier debriefing, ensuring fairness and transparency.
• Develop and implement cost-effective sourcing strategies and maintain a robust, up-to-date supplier database through equitable, open, and ethical prequalification processes.
• Oversee vendor identification, registration, performance review and supplier relationship management frameworks to strengthen strategic partnerships and ensure service level expectations are met.
• Conduct market analysis to benchmark supplier costs and secure value for money on all purchases.
• Conduct market analyses to benchmark supply costs and secure value for money on all purchases.
• Address and resolve supplier and user issues to support effective and efficient service delivery.
• Implement risk-based procure-to-pay systems meeting international standards, such as three-way matching.

Contract and Compliance Oversight

• Manage the full lifecycle of contracts, including drafting, negotiation, execution, renewal, and close-out.
• Ensure contracts align with the SFA Foundation's policies, legal standards, and risk management practices.
• Maintain an updated contract tracker and monitor deliverables and deadlines.
• Ensure an effective and efficient procurement requisition process, with adequate supporting documentation.

Risk Management and Controls

• Assess, evaluate and maintain a procurement risk register and implement mitigation measures.
• Ensure segregation of duties and compliance with SFA Foundation's Approval Framework.
• Support internal and external audits, implement audit recommendations and promote audit readiness. Ensure timely and effective implementation of corrective and preventive action.
• Ensure adherence to quality assurance mechanisms and compliance with organisational policies and standards, including the creation of effective governance structures to enhance integrity, transparency, openness, and fairness in SFA Foundation procurement processes.
• Ensure that SFA Foundation procurement strategy and practices adhere to good corporate governance standards, including global sustainability initiatives.

Team Leadership and Capacity Building

• Lead, coach and mentor the procurement team and key staff engaged in procurement activities within SFA Foundation,
• Assign duties as per key procurement departmental objectives and performance indicators, develop performance initiatives and conduct performance reviews.
• Lead internal training, policy interpretation, and sensitisation sessions within staff and SFA Foundation grantees.
• Ensure adequate internal procurement capacity exists within the SFA Foundation to support the delivery of its programmes, compliance and operational requirements.

Systems, Filing, and Reporting

• Ensure adequate procurement systems exist to support efficient procurement and supply activities within the SFA Foundation.
• Champion business process automation and adoption of digital procurement systems to enhance efficiency, transparency, and reporting.
• Ensure proper filing of procurement documentation in the SFA Foundation Document Management System (DMS).
• Prepare quarterly and ad hoc procurement reports with strategic insights for Executive Management and contribute to organisational reports submitted to the Board.

Asset Disposal

• In consultation with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO), ensure asset disposal processes are in line with policies and regulations.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• A master’s degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Economics and/or other related fields is an added advantage.

Professional Qualifications

• Holders of CPSP-K certification (Certified Procurement and Supplies Professional – Kenya) and valid registration with the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM), or internationally recognised qualifications such as MCIPS (Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply) or CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management).

Experience

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in procurement, with at least 5 years in a managerial role.
• Strong understanding of procurement law, compliance, and ERP systems.

Knowledge, Skills and Attributes

• Procurement Expertise: Demonstrates deep understanding of end-to-end procurement processes, vendor management, and tendering procedures.
• Contract and Compliance Management: Skilled in drafting, negotiating, and overseeing contracts while ensuring adherence to internal policies and funder regulations.
• Financial Acumen: Applies cost control strategies and financial analysis to drive value for money and informed procurement decisions.
• ERP and Digital Systems Proficiency: Proficient in procurement and finance systems (e.g. E-Procure-to-Pay Systems, Oracle NetSuite, SeamlessHR) to streamline processes and reporting.
• Risk Management: Identifies and mitigates procurement risks, ensuring strong internal controls and audit readiness.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Builds effective relationships with internal teams, suppliers, and oversight bodies to support service delivery.
• Communication and Negotiation: Communicates clearly, negotiates effectively, and presents procurement insights to leadership.
• Leadership and Team Development: Leads, coaches, and motivates a high-performing procurement team aligned with organisational goals.
• Strategic Thinking: Aligns procurement strategy with institutional objectives and anticipates future sourcing needs.
• Policy and Process Improvement: Contributes to the development and refinement of procurement policies, SOPs, and workflows.      

Leadership Competencies 

• Strategic and analytical mindset.
• Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration, and relationship building.
• High integrity, transparency, accountability and ethical conduct.
• Result-oriented with excellent organisational skills.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Ability to coach and mentor colleagues and the procurement team.
• Change leadership: Ability to drive innovation and continuous improvement.
• Executive communication: Ability to distil complex procurement data into insights.

HOW TO APPLY

Should you meet the competencies above, please submit your application by clicking the APPLY button below.

THE APPLICATION DEADLINE WEDNESDAY, 23 JULY 2025

SFA Foundation has a commitment to safeguarding people and environment and this forms part of our background checks.