Associate, Administrative and Procurement

Teaching at the Right Level Africa (TaRL Africa) is a newly formalised partnership between Education NGO, Pratham, and research centre J-PAL, who have been working together developing cost-effective, scalable literacy and Numeracy interventions for more than 15 years. The fruits of these efforts have been the development of what we now refer to as the TaRL.

The TaRL approach, pioneered by Pratham, helps children develop basic reading and numeracy skills. In TaRL classroom: children are assessed on basic reading and numeracy using a simple tool; grouped by learning level, rather than by grade, for a dedicated time when they focus building foundational skills through activities and materials appropriate for each group. As children progress, they move to the next learning group and continue to grow.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Associate, Administrative and Procurement

Location: Plot 118 Sector Centre A, Ahmadu Bello Way - Abuja
Department: Finance & Operations
Reports to: Manager, Finance and Administrative - Nigeria

About TaRL Africa

• TaRL Africa began as a joint venture by Pratham and J-PAL in 2019, with the goal of supporting governments and organizations across Africa to accelerate children’s foundational skill learning using the evidence-based “Teaching at the Right Level” (TaRL) approach.
• We support governments and organizations in over 15 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to design, deliver and scale impactful TaRL programs while learning and sharing how the approach can be improved for different contexts. Together with partners, TaRL Africa has reached over five million children with TaRL programming.
• TaRL Africa's vision is for every child across Africa to have foundational skills so that they can have a better future. Our mission is to ensure education systems effectively equip children with these foundational skills.
• TaRL Africa initiative is hosted by Empower Learning Africa, a not-for-profit organization registered and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, with teams in Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Zambia and locally registered offices in Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire.

Role Purpose

• The position supports the Finance and Administration Manager in coordinating the administration and procurement functions of TaRL Africa Nigeria, to ensure adherence to timeliness, cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and effective management of goods and services.

Major Roles and Responsibilities
Procurement:

• Ensure timely delivery of goods and services as per the agreed terms and conditions, as well as invoicing and timely payment of bills.
• Ensure the vendor database and the assets register of TaRL Africa Nigeria are always updated.
• Perform due diligence and vetting of suppliers and service providers per each state
• Receive, review and process vendors invoice through the ERP.
• Support the scale up of the TaRL implementation by identifying, assessing and signing contracts with vendors (hotels, car providers) in and outside of Abuja.
• Ensure compliance with procurement SOPs and ensure frequent staff sensitisation on the same
• Coordinate procurement processes including effective management of RFQs, RFPs, bid analyses and evaluations, drafting procurement contracts, and reviewing supplier deliverables
• Reviewing supplier /vendor contracts and service level agreements (SLAs) for approval as needed.
• Support in the development of procurement policies and compliance enforcement.
• Process LPO’s in the system and ensure the same is delivered to contracted vendors.
• Participates in preparation of Nigeria annual procurement plans
• Provides procurement advice and capacity building to both procurement and non-procurement staff.

Administration:

• Coordinate and ensure office cleanliness, timely and sufficient office supplies.
• Provide oversight and management of the movement of items and assets in the stores.
• Lead in asset verification exercise and ensure all assets are insured.
• Manage the office lease/s and operational legal contracts.
• Ensure the numbering of official letters from TaRL Africa Nigeria to external actors (including numbering, sending out process, acknowledge receipt recording and distribution to require department and Country Director).
• Coordinate timely insurance (including renewals) of office fittings, fixtures and equipment and all other office equipment.
• Ensure all TaRL Africa Nigeria assets are properly tagged and registered in each state office
• Ensure timely attendance and provision of all office requirements/supplies including equipment, furniture and fittings, office supplies and stationery, kitchen supplies materials etc.
• Ensure timely identification and attendance to any office/equipment repairs and maintenance needs.
• Lead the recording of all official letters received by TaRL Africa Nigeria.
• Manage relations with vendors and consultants.

Travel and logistics support:

• Review car logs and communicate staff vehicle usage before drivers pick up staff.
• Support the team in other travel and transportation arrangements as needed.
• Support event planning, including sourcing and booking venues as per requests from various departments
• Coordinate and monitor flight bookings for staff, ensuring compliance with travel policies.
• Manage and coordinate all travel (local and international)-related matters, including liaison with travel agents, transporters, foreign missions for visas, accommodation /hotels etc.
• Ensure existence of prequalified car hire and taxi service providers per each state
• Any other responsibilities may be assigned by the direct managers.
• Verify invoices from car hire vendors to ensure rates align with agreed terms.
• Coordinate vehicle bookings with car hire/taxi vendors across all operating states.
• Maintain an up-to-date database of car hire vendors for each state

Reporting:

• The Associate, Administration and Procurement shall report to the Manager, Finance and Administration. His/her dotted line will be the Senior Associate, Administrative & Procurement based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Qualifications and Experience

• Experience coordinating staff travel, flight bookings and Visas.
• At least five (05) years’ hands-on experience in logistics, travel coordination, transport management, or administrative operations.
• A Bachelor Degree in Business Administration, Project Management, Logistics, Supply Chain Management and or procurement fields from a recognized institution.
• Training in leadership or management courses (s) in addition to the degree is desired
• Proven experience managing car hire vendors, reviewing vehicle logs, and validating invoices.

Desirable:

• Training in procurement or vendor management.
• Certification in Supply Chain or Logistics Management (CILT, CISCM, or similar).

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Ability to manage multiple requests across locations.
• Excellent knowledge of all computer applications
• Good negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Proactive attitude and ability to take initiative and work independently
• A good team player
• Superior oral and written communication skills in English
• Strong interpersonal skills, outgoing personality, and ability to work independently and effectively under pressure and on strict deadlines in a multicultural setting
• Strong coordination and communication skills.
• High energy levels and emotional intelligence
• Good planning and coordination skills and ability to prioritize competing priorities effectively.
• Meticulous organizational and prioritization competence, with attention to detail

TaRL Africa Values:

• We put children’s learning first.
• We are always learning, improving, and innovating.
• We are kind, respectful and collaborative.
• We are locally rooted for high-quality delivery and sustainable impact.
• We are proactive, committed to integrity and doing our best each day.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• TaRL Africa is an equal-opportunity employer committed to having a diverse workforce.
• TaRL Africa does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Be aware of fraudulent messages offering job opportunities in exchange for money or “codes.” All official communication will come from @tarlafrica.org email addresses. If in doubt, contact us at [email protected].
• TaRL Africa provides a nationally peer-benchmarked compensation package aligned with organizational salary scales, taking into account both qualifications and professional experience.
• This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organizational needs.