Role is Open to Liberians Only

About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have a long-term impact.
The Program / Department / Team (Program / Department Summary)
Mercy Corps has been present in Liberia since 2003, focusing its interventions on Youth Employment and Empowerment, Food Security, WASH, and Governance. With funding from the EU, AFD, USDA, and USAID, Mercy Corps has been able to work together with communities in Liberia to respond to these priorities/ needs, bringing benefit to thousands of Liberians;
The Operations Department provides key support to the entire Liberia program in procurement, asset management, warehouse management, fleet management, and facilities & office management for successful program implementation.

The Position (General Position Summary)
The Senior Operations Officer is responsible for overseeing and managing the procurement activities of an organization. He/She plays a crucial role in ensuring the efficient and cost-effective acquisition of goods and services necessary for the organization’s operations. The Senior Operations Officer provides strategic guidance, establishes procurement policies and procedures, and collaborates with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to optimize the procurement process.

Essential Responsibilities
PROCUREMENT
•Work with Program Managers, Team Leaders, and the Finance Team to create Procurement Plans for each existing program.
•Develop and implement a comprehensive procurement strategy aligned with the program’s goals and objectives.
•Ensure procurement activities support cost savings, quality improvements, and timely delivery of goods and services.

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Identity, evaluate, and select suppliers based on their capabilities, reliability, and pricing. Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier performance to ensure optimal service levels and value for the organization.
•Oversee the end-to-end procurement process, including requisition processing, supplier sourcing, bid evaluation, contract negotiation, and purchase order management. Implement best practices, streamline procedures, and ensure compliance with procurement policies and regulations.
•Collaborate with finance and budgeting teams to develop procurement budgets and monitor expenditures.
•Implement cost control measures, analyze spending patterns, and identify opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements.
•Identify and mitigate procurement risks, such as supply chain disruptions, price fluctuations, or supplier non-compliance. Develop contingency plans and alternative sourcing strategies to minimize risks and ensure continuity of supply.
•Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including department heads and project managers, to understand their procurement needs and provide timely and effective support. Engage in cross-functional teams and contribute to strategic decision-making processes.
•Review and negotiate contracts, ensuring favorable terms and conditions for the organization. Monitor contract performance, resolve any disputes or issues, and ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
•Stay updated on market trends, industry developments, and emerging technologies to inform procurement decisions and identify opportunities for innovation and process improvements.

ADMIN & LOGISTICS
•Lead and coordinate all logistics functions, including procurement follow-up, warehousing, fleet, and transport management.
•Ensure timely movement of goods, materials, and personnel in line with organizational policies and donor requirements.
•Oversee vehicle allocation, usage monitoring, fuel management, and maintenance schedules.
•Ensure proper planning and execution of distribution activities (program supplies and equipment)
•Maintain accurate logistics documentation (Waybills, delivery notes, stock cards, transport plans)
•Liaise with Team leads to coordinate all logistics (accommodation, venue, meals, etc) for program activities.
•Oversee the daily management of office facilities, ensuring they are fully functional, safe, and align with organizational standards.
•Develop and operationalize the office supplies budget and ensure adequate stocking and tracking of usage.
•Manage all travel arrangements for staff, including visas, vehicle scheduling, and accommodation.

ASSET MANAGEMENT
•Maintain and update the Country Program’s Asset register in line with organizational policies.
•Ensure all assets are tagged, recorded, and tracked from acquisition to disposal.
•Lead regular asset verification exercises.
•Support teams with the proper use, transfer, and storage of assets to prevent loss, misuse, or damage.
•Coordinate assets disposal, write-offs, and handover processes in compliance with donor and internal regulations.
•Report any lost, stolen, or damaged assets immediately and ensure proper investigation and documentation

TEAM MANAGEMENT
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Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
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Supervise, hire, and orient new team members as necessary.
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Provide team members with information, tools, and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
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Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options, and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT
●Work with Finance & Compliance to mitigate fraud, conflict of interest, and legal ramifications of Mercy Corps activities.
●Assure effective monitoring of Mercy Corps systems and processes in operational hubs by ensuring that remote management plans are resilient and contextually appropriate; and
●Play an active role in supporting Operations departments in preparing internal and external audits, ensuring that recommendations related to operations are followed and all necessary measures to address audit findings are taken.

Supervisory Responsibility
IT & Admin Assistant and Driver(s)

Accountability
Reports Directly To: Human Resources and Operations Manager

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills
●A degree in Supply Chain Management or a relevant Business field or professional procurement qualification is desired.
●Minimum 3 years of experience in procurement management at a large scale, preferably within the international development sector.
●Strong organizational skills; ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel.
●Excellent oral and written English skills.
●High level of computer skills in MS Office programs and relevant ERP / Procurement systems.
●A demonstrated ability to multitask and process information into action to not delay program activities.
●A clear understanding of procurement ethics and donor compliance is essential.

Success Factors
The successful Senior Operations Officer will be good at problem-solving and working out methods to deliver successful programs while demonstrating excellent stewardship of donor funds and compliance with Mercy Corps and donor regulations. They will maintain strong cooperative relationships with other departments and interact effectively with international and national personnel both in a managerial and training capacity while demonstrating the ability to multi-task, meet deadlines, and process information in support of changing program activities. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a solid commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

Ongoing Learning
In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in Monrovia, Liberia, and it requires up to 40% travel to support country programs, which may include travel to rural locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited.

Team Efficiency and Effectiveness
Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.
We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out different backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).