Position Description
Location Abuja, Nigeria
Position Status Full-time; Regular
Salary Level
Risk Level: ☐ Level 3☐Level 2 ☐Level 1
(Level 3: Frequent contact with participants, direct contact with children, access to sensitive data, and/or high level of accountability.
Level 2: Some contact with participants; unplanned non-direct contact with children.
Level 1: Likely to have no contact with participants or sensitive data.
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. Mercy Corps is a global team of humanitarians working together on the front lines of today’s biggest crises to create a future of possibility, where everyone can prosper.
Program / Department Summary
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 north and north-east 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 Deputy Procurement and Operations Manager supports the Operations Manager in overseeing and coordinating all operational functions across Mercy Corps program locations. This includes procurement, logistics, warehouse management, fleet operations, asset management, facilities administration, and operational compliance. The role ensures operational systems are efficient, transparent, and compliant with Mercy Corps internal policies and donor requirements. The Deputy Procurement and Operations Manager will supervise operational staff and provide technical leadership to ensure timely and effective support to program teams. The position also supports strategic operational planning, risk mitigation, and strengthening operational systems to enhance program implementation and organizational effectiveness.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Operations Management
- Support the Operations Manager in coordinating all operational functions including procurement, logistics, warehouse management, fleet operations, and administrative services.
- Ensure operational systems are implemented effectively to support program implementation.
- Monitor operational performance across field locations and provide technical guidance to operational teams.
- Support the development and implementation of operational plans aligned with program needs.
- Ensure operational activities comply with Mercy Corps policies and donor regulations.
Procurement and Supply Chain Management
- Oversee procurement processes to ensure compliance with Mercy Corps procurement policies and donor requirements.
- Ensure procurement planning is aligned with program implementation timelines.
- Review procurement documentation including RFQs, RFPs, bid analysis summaries, and purchase orders.
- Ensure procurement thresholds and approval procedures are adhered to.
- Support vendor sourcing and vendor performance monitoring.
- Strengthening procurement systems to ensure transparency, accountability, and value for money.
Contract Management
- Oversee the development and management of supplier and service contracts.
- Ensure contracts are properly documented and monitored for compliance with agreed deliverables and timelines.
- Maintain a contract tracking system to monitor contract duration, renewals, and performance.
- Address vendor performance issues and support resolution of contract-related disputes.
Warehouse and Inventory Management
- Ensure warehouse operations comply with Mercy Corps supply chain policies and donor requirements.
- Oversee proper inventory management and stock control procedures.
- Ensure accurate documentation of goods receipt, storage, and dispatch.
- Conduct periodic inventory verification and stock reconciliation.
- Promote safe storage practices and warehouse security.
Fleet and Logistics Management
- Supervise fleet operations to ensure safe and efficient transportation for staff and program activities.
- Ensure fleet management systems including vehicle tracking, maintenance schedules, and fuel monitoring are implemented effectively.
- Coordinate logistics support for field operations and program activities.
Facilities and Administrative Management
- Support management of office facilities to ensure safe and functional working environments.
- Oversee administrative services including office maintenance, utilities, and service contracts.
- Ensure operational continuity across offices and field locations.
- Ensure identification of office space is in line with MCN housing sourcing
Compliance and Risk Management
- Ensure operational activities comply with Mercy Corps policies, donor regulations, and audit requirements.
- Maintain proper documentation and filing systems for operational processes.
- Support internal and external audit processes by ensuring availability of relevant documentation.
- Identify operational risks and support mitigation measures.
Team Management and Capacity Building
- Supervise supply chain, logistics, warehouse, and administrative staff.
- Provide coaching and capacity building to operational team members.
- Support staff performance management and professional development.
- Promote teamwork, accountability, and adherence to Mercy Corps standards.
Strategic Operational Support
- Support the Operations Manager in strengthening operational systems and improving efficiency.
- Contribute to operational strategy development for program expansion or transition.
- Support operational planning for new programs and field office setups.
- Identify opportunities for cost efficiency and operational improvements.
Security
- Ensure operations activities are implemented in accordance with Mercy Corps security policies.
- Coordinate with the security team to ensure safe operational movements and logistics support in field locations.
Organizational Learning
- As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
Accountability to Beneficiaries
- Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Knowledge and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, Logistics, or related field.
- Minimum 7 years of experience in operations, logistics, procurement, or supply chain management.
- Experience working with international NGOs and donor-funded programs preferred.
- Strong understanding of procurement systems, contract management, and operational compliance.
- Demonstrated experience supervising operational teams.
- Strong organizational, leadership, and problem-solving 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.
- Excellent oral and written English skills required.
- Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
Supervisory Responsibility
Directly: Procurement Assistant and Operations Assistants
Accountability
Reports Directly To:Operations Manager
Works Directly With: Program Managers, Finance Team, Global Supply Chain Team, Field Operations Staff, Vendors and Service Providers.
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 Abuja and it requires up to 40% travel to field locations (including deep-field sits), where security is at times high-risk.
Abuja –
Security in Abuja is generally good. Housing, health care, water, electricity and consumer goods are all reasonably accessible and there are international and domestic travel options from Abuja Airport. Air and road travel is necessary to get to some field locations. Mobile phone services are widely available. Internet is available in all Mercy Corps offices, although it may not be consistent. Travel to field sites will be required where living conditions are clean and secure, but basic. There’s reasonable access to most consumer goods, although they can be expensive. There is good number of school with different education philosophies and curriculum (British, American, French, etc.). Abuja is an accompanied location suitable for spouse/partner and/or dependents. 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
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse 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. 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 e Learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.