Regional MarketPlace (Procurement) Advisor - MENA

Date: ‎07-Jun-‎2022
Location: Sharjah, Middle East and North Africa, AE
Company: British Council
The British Council builds connections, understanding and trust between people
in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and the
English language.

We work in two ways - directly with individuals to transform their lives, and
with governments and partners to make a bigger difference for the longer term,
creating benefit for millions of people all over the world. We help young
people to gain the skills, confidence and connections they are looking for to
realise their potential and to participate in strong and inclusive
communities. We support them to learn English, to get a high-quality education
and to gain internationally recognised qualifications. Our work in arts and
culture stimulates creative expression and exchange and nurtures creative
enterprise. We connect the best of the UK with the world and the best of the
world with the UK.

These connections lead to an understanding of each other's strengths and of
the challenges and values that we share. This builds trust between people in
the UK and other nations which endures even when official relations may be
strained. We work on the ground in more than ‎100 countries. In ‎2019-‎20 we
connected with ‎80 million people directly and with ‎791 million overall,
including online and through our broadcasts and publications.
Role Purpose

To provide administrative and transactional assistance to the British Council
Procurement function in the region.

Main Accountabilities:

Procurement administration:

• Ensure adherence to the corporate procurement policy and processes, and external financial regulations in all aspects of the role


• Check that Purchase Requests received from the countries comply with British Council corporate procurement policy.


• Classify incoming Purchase requisitions into Purchase orders or Intercompany orders and decide which internal purchasing system is required. Convert PRs received into PO or I/C request


• Reconcile or resolve value discrepancies


• Act as a contact point between country operational teams and the Shared Services Centre with regards to payment processing Procurement will be developing a greater level of engagement with the business units and establishing a strong business partnering approach.


• Follow up with the operational teams in the countries on down-payments and operational advances approvals in line with corporate policy

Master data & new vendor requests:

• Ensure all activity is directed towards preferred suppliers as much as possible.


• Maintain and update contracts database as required


• Support the vendor creation requests from the business and ensure required documents and information is provided in order to fulfil requests

Supplier management process:

• Gather data on direct supplier feedback and update the quantitative and qualitative supplier measurement and feedback system


• Perform quarterly interviews with key stakeholders for supplier feedback to feed into the quarterly contract relationship meeting with key suppliers

About You (essential requirements for the role):

• University degree or equivalent


• Entry-level administration work experience


• Experience in administration of procurement and/or finance; conducting external purchases with overseas countries in the region


• Fluent level of spoken and written English - level B2


• Basic administrative and financial skills with demonstrable attention to detail

Desirable requirements for the role:

• Diploma/qualification/degree in a relevant topic


• Experience working for the British Council


• Knowledge of the British Council procurement policy


• Experience working for a UK Governmental organisation


• Experience working for an international organisation


• Experience in the operational use of P2P within SAP

Further Information

• Role: Regional Market Place (Procurement) Advisor - MENA


• Number of positions: ‎1


• Pay Band: BRC - 2J


• Location: Sharjah, UAE


• Contract type: Fixed term Contract - Local (‎1 year)


• Closing date: 14th June ‎2022 (‎23:59 Gulf Standard Time)


• Salary: Basic ‎4,324.‎32 AED and housing allowances of AED1909.‎70


• Other: This role is open to candidates who are having right to work in located in UAE

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.

Equality , Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Statement

The British Council is committed to policies and practices of equality,
diversity and inclusion across everything we do. We support all staff to make
sure their behaviour is consistent with this commitment. We want to address
under representation and encourage applicants from under-represented groups,
in particular, but not exclusively, on grounds of ethnicity and disability.
All disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria are guaranteed an
interview and we have Disability Confident Employer Status. We welcome
discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation
and engagement in our work and activities.

The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and
adults who we work with.

We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to
live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of
abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article ‎19, UNCRC (United
Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) ‎1989.

Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable
groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed; these will
include qualification checks, reference checks, identity & criminal record
checks in line with legal requirements and with the British Council's
Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.

If you have any problems with your application please email
[email protected]

Please note: Applications to this role can only be considered when made
through the Apply section of our careers website. Our 'ASK HR' email is only
to be used in case of a technical issue encountered when applying through the
careers website. Emails with supporting statements and CV/Resumes sent to this
email address will not be reviewed and will be deleted.