Public Procurement Specialist
Provide hands-on technical support across procurement planning and execution.
Overview
Provide hands-on technical support across procurement planning and execution.
You have:
- Advanced degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Law, or a related field.
- Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in procurement, procurement advisory, contract management, or supply chain oversight within government, donor-funded, or development programmes.
- Strong knowledge of national procurement regulations and international donor procurement requirements.
- Proven experience supporting tender preparation, evaluation processes, and procurement compliance oversight.
- Experience working in complex, multi-stakeholder implementation environments.
- Strong analytical, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities.
- Experience delivering capacity-building and technical assistance is an advantage.
- Fluency in English and French (spoken and written) is required.
We don’t just talk, we do. Lead the change with us.
At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we work with political leaders around the world to drive change. We help governments turn bold ideas into reality so they can deliver for their people. We do it by advising on strategy, policy and delivery, unlocking the power of technology across all three. And by sharing what we learn on the ground, so everyone can benefit. We do it to build more open, inclusive and prosperous countries for people everywhere.
We are a global team of over 800 changemakers, operating in more than 40 countries, across five continents. We are political strategists, policy experts, delivery practitioners, technology specialists and more. We speak more than 45 languages. We are working on over 100 projects, tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re all here at TBI to make a difference.
In a world of ever more complex challenges, we believe diversity of background and perspective is a strength. We pride ourselves on a culture that values and nurtures difference. We are dedicated to unlocking potential, not only for the countries we work in but also for each of our team members. No matter where you’re from or who you are, if you’re passionate about the transformative power of progressive politics, we invite you to build a better future with us.
Role Summary
Overview
The Ministry of Health and Social Action in Senegal is implementing a portfolio of priority health programmes requiring timely, transparent, and efficient procurement processes to support effective delivery. These programmes involve coordination across multiple stakeholders, funding streams, and implementation partners, creating significant operational and compliance requirements.
To strengthen execution and ensure alignment with national procurement regulations and donor requirements, the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) is supporting the Ministry through an embedded Delivery Unit focused on improving implementation discipline, performance management, and operational coordination.
Within this context, TBI is seeking a Procurement Technical Expert for a period of 8 months to provide hands-on technical support across procurement planning, execution, and oversight, ensuring that procurement processes enable timely and effective programme delivery.
Role Summary
Embedded within the Ministry of Health Delivery Unit and working closely with government counterparts, the Procurement Technical Expert will support the strengthening of procurement systems, processes, and implementation practices across priority programmes.
The role will focus on improving procurement planning, supporting tender preparation and evaluation processes, monitoring implementation timelines, and strengthening compliance with national regulations and donor standards. The Expert will also support risk mitigation, documentation management, and capacity building for Ministry and Delivery Unit teams.
This is a delivery-focused consultancy role based in Dakar, Senegal requiring strong technical procurement expertise, operational discipline, and the ability to work effectively in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
Key Responsibilities
1. Procurement Planning and Process Support
- Support the development and updating of procurement plans aligned with programme priorities, implementation timelines, and funding requirements.
- Provide technical support across the full procurement cycle, ensuring adherence to national procurement regulations and donor requirements.
- Contribute to the preparation of tender documents, including terms of reference, technical specifications, evaluation criteria, and procurement reports.
2. Tender Management and Compliance Oversight
- Support evaluation committees during tender processes, ensuring transparency, fairness, and compliance with applicable procedures and standards.
- Monitor procurement timelines and identify risks, delays, or bottlenecks that may affect programme implementation.
- Propose mitigation measures and support resolution of procurement-related implementation challenges.
3. Procurement Systems Strengthening
- Strengthen procurement documentation, filing, and archiving systems to ensure compliance with national and donor standards.
- Support improvements to procurement tracking and reporting mechanisms within the Ministry and Delivery Unit.
- Contribute to strengthening procurement governance, accountability, and operational efficiency.
4. Capacity Building and Technical Support
- Deliver capacity-building sessions and on-the-job technical support to Ministry and Delivery Unit staff on procurement procedures and best practices.
- Support knowledge transfer and institutional strengthening to improve sustainability of procurement systems and practices.
Key Deliverables
- Updated and operational procurement plans aligned with programme priorities and implementation needs.
- Technical inputs to tender documentation, including terms of reference, technical specifications, evaluation grids, and procurement reports.
- Support provided to tender evaluation committees in line with transparency and compliance requirements.
- Regular procurement monitoring reports, including risk assessments and mitigation recommendations.
- Strengthened procurement documentation, filing, and archiving systems.
- Capacity-building sessions and technical support delivered to Ministry and Delivery Unit staff.
Qualifications and Experience
- Advanced degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Law, or a related field.
- Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in procurement, procurement advisory, contract management, or supply chain oversight within government, donor-funded, or development programmes.
- Strong knowledge of national procurement regulations and international donor procurement requirements.
- Proven experience supporting tender preparation, evaluation processes, and procurement compliance oversight.
- Experience working in complex, multi-stakeholder implementation environments.
- Strong analytical, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities.
- Experience delivering capacity-building and technical assistance is an advantage.
- Fluency in English and French (spoken and written) is required.
Please note that all applications must be submitted in English.
The position is based in Senegal, and candidates with existing work authorisation or strong familiarity with the local context are strongly encouraged to apply.
Closing Date:
2026-06-04
Potential interview questions
| Describe your experience with procurement processes in government or donor-funded programmes. | This question assesses the applicant's relevant experience and familiarity with the context. | Provide specific examples from previous roles that illustrate your experience in procurement. |
| How do you ensure compliance with national and donor procurement regulations? | The interviewer wants to know your approach to maintaining compliance. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you provide an example of a complex multi-stakeholder project you managed? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What methods do you use for risk mitigation in procurement? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you approach capacity building for staff in procurement roles? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you handle competing priorities under pressure? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies do you use to improve procurement documentation and reporting? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you explain a time you improved a procurement process? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |