Clinical Research Procurement Manager

Position Description

Title:                 ADVANCE Clinical Research Procurement Manager

Location:         IAVI Africa Regional Office, Nairobi Kenya

Reports to:      Deputy Chief of Party, Operations

Position Summary: 

 IAVI is seeking a highly motivated ADVANCE Clinical Research Procurement Manager who will oversee purchasing requirements for clinical research support and ensures that purchased items are cost-efficient, well supported in the country/region, and of high quality. The successful candidate will continuously support clinical & research labs and user departments, maintain positive supplier relations, evaluate supply options, maintain accurate records, and prepare financial reports as required. In addition, this position will support Clinical Research Center (CRC) capacity strengthening initiatives to improve supply chain management capabilities within an extensive network, including nine CRCs across five African countries. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure compliance with IAVI procurement policy and procedures and build knowledge of the Procurement Policy among various user departments within IAVI
• Prepare annual procurement plans for the purchase of CAPEX equipment, services, and supplies for the IAVI Regional office in Nairobi and the African CRCs
• Follow up and clarify equipment and laboratory consumables specifications with user departments across the CRCs and the technical teams within IAVI and prepare detailed specifications, Terms of references, and Scope of works for goods and services and draft contracts
• Review, compare, analyze goods and services to be purchased, ensuring that goods and services are of appropriate quality and fair market price, in specific regard to pharmaceutical products that all commodities supplied pass relevant tests of Quality, Efficacy, and Safety or other such appropriate standards.
• Research and evaluate prospective suppliers in country/region and maintain an updated supplier database with information such as qualifications, delivery times, product ranges, product support, etc. Using the database may also be required to establish accounts with the listed vendors and IAVI for procurement requirements

• Support the preparation and review of bid documents. Participate in bid openings and lead technical and cost evaluations. 
• Prepare and manage the execution of contract documents as required. Negotiate preferred rates with a central provider to multiple CRCs for standardized equipment support

• Process clearance and forwarding documentation for international shipments
• Track all open purchase requisition and purchase orders and conduct timely aging analysis to inform payment priorities and cashflow forecasting
•  Assure all pertinent information for asset purchases is provided promptly for entry into Asset Registry.
• Support capacity building initiatives towards strengthening CRC procurement policies and procedures in support of their journey to self-reliance
• Participate in the preparation of budgets, cost analyses, and reports relating to Procurement. Support/mentor the CRC procurement staff on the IAVI procurement process
• Maintain the overall integrity of the procurement filing system.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the manager.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Procurement and Supply Chain Management or related Degree is required.
• Minimum 6 years’ relevant experience with USAID-funded projects or similar US/EU/ International funding agency is required. 

Qualifications and Skills:

• Certificate(s) in Procurement from a recognized institution or organization – CIPS or KISM is required.
• Membership in a relevant professional body is required.

• Ability to analyze and improve on the existing processes are required.Excellent organizational, analytical, and data management skills are required.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively as a team member is required.
• Ability to meet deadlines in a high-volume, complex, and quickly evolving environment is required.
• Excellent negotiation skills is required.
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills are required.

Organizational Overview:

IAVI is a nonprofit scientific research organization dedicated to addressing urgent, unmet global health challenges including HIV and tuberculosis. Our mission is to translate scientific discoveries into affordable, globally accessible public health solutions. Through scientific and clinical research in Africa, India, Europe, and the U.S., IAVI is pioneering the development of biomedical innovations designed for broad global access. We develop vaccines and antibodies in and for the developing world and seek to accelerate their introduction in low-income countries. IAVI programs and partnerships are grounded in the regions of the world where the disease burden is the greatest, and our approach emphasizes sustainability. Our network of clinical research center partners in Africa and India helps strengthen in-country research capacity and supports the training and education of the next generation of scientists. The global impact of our science includes fundamental contributions to understanding the biology of HIV infection, which IAVI and others are applying toward advancing vaccine science and immunology. IAVI accelerates scientific discovery and development by fostering unique collaborations among academia, industry, local communities, governments, and funders to explore new and better ways to address public health threats that disproportionately affect people living in poverty. Our global reach, including a clinical research network in five countries in sub-Saharan Africa and in India, has allowed us to make fundamental contributions to understanding the epidemiology, transmission, virology, and immunology of HIV. This work played a key role in facilitating the design of promising HIV vaccine candidates, as well as the discovery of broadly neutralizing antibodies that are now being advanced as promising approaches for HIV prevention. Our integrated capabilities in vaccine and antibody discovery, development, and clinical research take advantage of bio-pharmaceutical industry expertise to accelerate the development and testing of prevention methods for HIV and other diseases. Through the Product Development Center, we support external researchers with technical and scientific expertise to accelerate the development of their own products.

ADVANCE Overview:

ADVANCE (Accelerate the Development of Vaccines and New Technologies to Combat the AIDS Epidemic) is a ten-year cooperative agreement with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). This visionary $200 million program will run until June 2026 and is part of IAVI’s 22-year collaboration with USAID that has significantly impacted the field of HIV vaccine R&D and accelerated the search for innovative prevention tools, including a safe and globally effective HIV vaccine. USAID’s long-term investment and willingness to foster advances in science to benefit the world’s most at-risk populations have enabled IAVI’s unique model in Africa and India.

IAVI CORE VALUES:

• Dedication to the Mission: We are committed to the translation of scientific discoveries into affordable, globally accessible public health solutions. 
• Innovative Evolution: We are committed to solving complex problems in creative and innovative ways, learning from our mistakes and successes and never giving up 
• Integrity: We are committed to meeting the highest ethical and professional standards in everything we do and to taking responsibility for our actions to earn respect 
• Collaboration: We are committed to embracing diversity, the power of global teamwork and the belief that by working as one we can make a difference
  
  
  Disclaimer: Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required of personnel so classified. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship. IAVI is an equal opportunity employer and applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
  

IAVI IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER actively committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive global organization. IAVI believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a representative candidate pool. At IAVI, we celebrate the spectrum of colleagues’ experiences and believe that dedication to our mission above all is essential to our success as a scientific global non-profit. IAVI upholds these principles through IAVI’s Global Diversity and Inclusion Committee.  

IAVI has zero tolerance for discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, caste, national origin, home language, ancestry, religion, marital or civil partnership status, age, physical or mental disability, HIV status and any other medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and veteran status, in addition to any other status protected under the law in any of our locations worldwide.