KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: Procurement Manager, Ukraine
Sector: Procurement, Operations, Office Administration
Position Type: Full-Time
Duration/Level of Effort: Short-Term (8 months with possibility of extension)
Position Location: Kyiv, Ukraine (REMOTE)
SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
The Support to Ukraine’s National Museum of the Holodomor-Genocide is a CA $10 million project funded by Global Affairs Canada through its Peace and Stabilization Operations Program (PSOPs). The project aims to promote increased resilience and safeguarding of Ukrainian cultural heritage and identity in conflict recovery and prevention, while aligning with Canadian and Ukrainian diplomatic and public diplomacy efforts to counter Russian influence through education and information. The project has four major areas i) enhancing the capacity of the Museum to generate and utilize high-quality research on the Holodomor, ii) increasing the management capacity of the Museum including in alignment with principles of gender equality, inclusion and diversity, iii) strengthening the operational continuity and sustainability of the Museum; and iv) increasing understanding and awareness, particularly among the international community of the Holodomor genocide, including its gendered impacts.
SUMMARY OF THE POSITION
The Procurement Manager will be responsible for overseeing and managing all procurement and contract management processes under the Project. The position provides strategic and operational leadership to the procurement function, including supervision of two Procurement Officers, coordination of multiple procurement processes simultaneously, and ensuring full compliance with donor and Cowater procurement policies and procedures.
The Procurement Manager will work closely with the Project Director, Project Manager and Finance Manager, to ensure that procurement activities are planned, executed, documented, and reported in a timely, transparent, and efficient manner. The role also includes responsibility for agreement management, including drafting, reviewing, and administering contracts and related documentation.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Procurement Management and Oversight
· Provide overall leadership and oversight of all procurement processes for goods and services under the Project, ensuring compliance with Cowater and donor (GAC/PSOPs) procurement policies and procedures.
· Plan, manage, and monitor multiple procurement processes concurrently, including calls for proposals, requests for quotations, bid evaluations, price analyses, and selection process.
· Supervise, mentor, and coordinate the work of Procurement Officers, ensuring clear task allocation, quality control, and adherence to timelines.
· Review and validate procurement documentation prepared by Procurement Officers, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and compliance prior to submission for approval.
· Maintain and update procurement tracking tools and documentation to ensure audit readiness and transparency.
Contract and Agreement Management
· Oversee contract and agreement management, preparation of TORs, and related annexes for consultants, vendors, and service providers in coordination with the Project Manager and Finance Manager.
· Ensure contracts are properly executed, monitored, amended when required, and closed in line with Cowater procedures.
· Maintain an organized contract management system, ensuring all signed agreements and supporting documentation are properly filed and accessible.
· Work closely with the Project Manager, Finance Manager and Cowater Project Director to make sure contracts and terms are favorable.
Coordination and Operational Support
· Work closely with the Project Manager to align procurement planning with the Annual Work Plan and project implementation timelines.
· Coordinate with the Finance Manager to ensure procurement activities align with approved budgets and financial controls.
· Support operational planning by advising on procurement timelines, risks, and mitigation measures.
· Serve as a key focal point for procurement-related communication with Cowater HQ, suppliers, consultants, and project stakeholders.
Vendor and Market Management
· Maintain and strengthen relationships with suppliers and service providers, while continuously identifying and assessing potential new vendors.
· Conduct market research and cost analyses to support value-for-money decision-making.
Support to the Program Manager
· Coordinate with the Program Manager on procurement planning, sequencing, and timelines to ensure alignment with the Annual Work Plan and project implementation schedule.
· Coordinate procurement inputs for project activities, including defining procurement approaches, risk mitigation measures, and estimated timelines.
· Support preparation of procurement-related inputs for semi-annual and annual reports, workplans, and donor communications.
· Provide strategic guidance on procurement-related issues arising during project implementation and propose solutions to avoid delays or compliance risks.
· Upon request from the Program Manager, provide additional procurement and operational support as required.
Support to the Finance Manager
· Work closely with the Finance Manager to ensure procurement plans align with approved budgets and cash flow projections.
· Support the Finance Manager in procurement-related financial forecasting and monitoring commitments and expenditures.
· Coordinate timely submission of procurement and contract documentation required for audits, financial reviews, and donor reporting.
· Identify and proactively address procurement-related financial risks in coordination with the Finance Manager.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education
· A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. business administration, accounting and audit, economics, finance, law, public administration, international development, or a related discipline) or equivalent professional experience.
Minimum Experience
· A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in procurement, operations, including oversight of complex procurement processes.
· Demonstrated experience managing procurement teams.
· Proven experience supporting donor-funded projects (e.g. GAC, EU, USAID, FCDO, GIZ), including compliance with donor procurement and reporting requirements.
· Experience in agreement and contract management, including drafting and administering contracts for consultants and vendors.
Essential Skills
· Strong organizational and coordination skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and tight deadlines.
· Excellent attention to detail and ability to ensure compliance across procurement and contractual documentation.
· Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
· Ability to work independently and proactively in a dynamic and evolving project environment.
Language Proficiency
· Professional proficiency in English and Ukrainian is essential.
Employment Conditions
· The position will be full-time and based in Kyiv.
· The work will be completed at the applicant’s home office
· Only candidates with the existing ability to work in Ukraine will be considered.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as followed: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.
Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.
We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.
ABOUT US
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.
We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.
