SENIOR SUPPLY CHAIN OFFICER

Location: Maiduguri, with possible travel to other locations as required. 

Position Status: Full-time, Regular

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

The Program / Department / Team

Mercy Corps Nigeria implements a variety of programs with the ultimate goal of building productive, secure, and just communities. The organization’s programs are implemented in many states, mainly in northern and northeastern Nigeria. Our work covers the following sectors: economic development, livelihoods/food security, adolescent girls & boys empowerment, financial resilience, conflict mitigation, and humanitarian response. Common themes include community engagement, inclusive development, gender, and working in partnership with local government, the private sector and civil society actors. 

General Position Summary

The Senior Supply Chain Officer is responsible for ensuring efficient procurement, contract management, warehousing, and operational logistics support in line with Mercy Corps and donor regulations. The role provides technical oversight of supply chain activities including vendor sourcing, procurement compliance, contract monitoring, storage management, and asset tracking. 

Under the supervision of the Operations Manager, the Senior Supply Chain Officer will ensure supply chain systems are implemented effectively to support program delivery while maintaining compliance with Mercy Corps internal policies and donor requirements. The position will also support operational planning and strengthen supply chain processes across field locations. 

Essential Responsibilities

Procurement Management

• Lead procurement processes in accordance with Mercy Corps procurement policies and donor regulations.
• Ensure all procurement activities are conducted transparently, competitively, and documented appropriately.
• Prepare procurement plans in collaboration with program teams to ensure timely delivery of goods and services.
• Manage the full procurement cycle including market assessments, solicitation, bid evaluation, purchase orders, and delivery follow-up.
• Maintain an updated and vetted vendor database and ensure fair vendor selection processes.
• Conduct vendor performance reviews and recommend improvements where necessary.
• Ensure procurement actions follow Mercy Corps procurement thresholds and approval requirements.
• Implement appropriate procurement methods based on value thresholds including:
• Ensure proper documentation including bid analysis summaries, technical evaluations, and approvals before award.
• Coordinate closely with Finance and the Operations Manager to ensure compliance with internal controls and donor procurement standards.

Contract Management

• Support drafting, review, and administration of supplier and service provider contracts.
• Monitor contract implementation to ensure vendors deliver according to agreed specifications, timelines, and pricing.
• Maintain a contract tracking system to monitor contract timelines, renewals, and performance milestones.
• Ensure proper documentation and filing of all contracts and amendments.
• Work with program and operations teams to resolve contract performance issues and vendor disputes where necessary.

Warehouse and Storage Management

• Oversee storage facilities to ensure safe and efficient storage of program supplies, equipment, and commodities.
• Ensure inventory systems are maintained and updated for all stored items.
• Conduct regular inventory checks and reconcile stock balances with warehouse records.
• Ensure safe handling and movement of goods to prevent loss, damage, or misuse.
• Ensure warehouse operations comply with Mercy Corps global supply chain policies and donor requirements where applicable.
• Implement warehouse standards including:
• Proper stock cards and inventory tracking systems
• Segregation and labeling of goods
• FIFO/FEFO (First In First Out / First Expiry First Out) principles where applicable
• Physical security of storage facilities
• Fire safety and risk mitigation measures
• Ensure proper documentation for goods received notes (GRN), stock release forms, and waybills.
• Conduct periodic warehouse audits and stock verification exercises.

Operations

• Coordinate logistics arrangements for program implementation including transportation and movement of goods.
• Ensure proper tracking and documentation of supply chain activities across field offices.
• Support operational coordination for procurement planning, delivery schedules, and logistics requirements.
• Robust stock reception and release management using MCN tools and templates.

Compliance and Documentation

• Ensure procurement and supply chain documentation is complete, accurate, and audit ready.
• Maintain organized procurement and logistics filing systems in both electronic and physical formats.
• Support internal and external audits by providing required documentation and compliance verification.

Strategic Supply Chain Support

• Support the Operations Manager in strengthening supply chain systems and operational efficiency.
• Identify opportunities to improve procurement efficiency, vendor engagement, and logistics processes.
• Provide technical guidance to operations and program teams on procurement planning and supply chain compliance.
• Contribute to operational planning for program expansion, field logistics, and emergency response needs.

Team Management

• Provide technical supervision and mentoring to logistics assistants and warehouse staff where applicable.
• Build capacity of field operations staff on procurement procedures and supply chain compliance.
• Promote teamwork and ensure adherence to Mercy Corps operational standards.

Security 

• Ensure supply chain operations comply with Mercy Corps security policies and procedures. 
• Coordinate safe movement of goods and operational logistics in high-risk environments. 

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Logistics, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in procurement, logistics, warehouse management, or supply chain operations.
• Experience working with international NGOs or donor-funded programs strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of procurement regulations, contract management, and warehouse operations.
• Experience working in complex operational environments.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and negotiation skills.
• Knowledge of Mercy Corps systems and procedures (esp. procurement systems) desirable; knowledge of USAID and other donor regulations helpful. 
• Excellent negotiation and representation skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication, organizational, prioritization and Microsoft Office applications.
• Fluent written and oral communication in English is required. Fluency in Hausa and any other Nigerian language will be an added advantage.  
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment. 

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Operations Manager  

Works Directly With: Program Teams, Finance Teams and Regional Operations  

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.

Success Factors

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong operational leadership, attention to compliance, and the ability to coordinate multiple operational functions across field locations. The Deputy Operations Manager must be highly organized, solutions-oriented, and capable of supporting complex program operations in challenging environments. 

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Damaturu, and it requires up to 40% travel to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited.  Housing for this role is in individual housing and staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a high standard.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues. 

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

Team Engagement 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 committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

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).