Procurement Officer, Lilongwe, Malawi,

GiveDirectly, a distinguished humanitarian organization with a track record of delivering over $1 billion in direct cash assistance to more than 2 million individuals in poverty across 15 countries since 2011, is seeking to fill a Procurement Officer position in Malawi. Our unwavering belief in the effectiveness, scalability, and dignity of cash transfers is backed by extensive research and has been recognized by prominent publications like The Economist, NPR, TED, and The Washington Post, earning us a place among Time100's Most Influential Companies of 2026.

Our organizational culture is characterized by candor, analytical rigor, and a non-hierarchical structure, fostering high levels of ownership and professional growth. We encourage you to explore our values and hear from our team members to see if this environment aligns with your aspirations.

Role Overview

The Procurement Officer (PO) will provide essential support to the Operations and Procurement Manager (OPM) in executing GiveDirectly's procurement functions. This role is responsible for obtaining competitive quotations, prequalifying and managing vendors, and maintaining accurate procurement records. These responsibilities are fundamental to the OPM's oversight of procurement policy, vendor relationships, and budget adherence. Success in this role hinges on strong attention to detail, sound judgment in vendor assessment, and a commitment to transparent, well-documented procurement practices.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Source and compile competitive quotations from vendors for goods, services, and works, adhering to GiveDirectly's procurement thresholds and policies.
• Conduct market surveys to identify potential suppliers and stay informed about current pricing trends.
• Prepare quotation comparison sheets and bid analyses to aid the OPM in procurement decision-making.
• Support the vendor prequalification process, verifying business registration, compliance documents, references, and capacity in line with the organization's procurement policy.
• Maintain and regularly update a prequalified vendor database/roster, organized by category of goods or services.
• Assist in periodic vendor performance evaluations and follow up on any required corrective actions.
• Coordinate with vendors regarding delivery, repair, and maintenance schedules for procured supplies, including equipment for field officers and mobile phones for recipients.
• Support the procurement of inventory, supplies, and equipment, and assist in implementing GiveDirectly's procurement policy in daily sourcing activities, as directed by the OPM.
• Prepare purchase requisitions, purchase orders, and procurement contracts for OPM review and approval.
• Maintain organized, audit-ready procurement records, including quotations, purchase orders, contracts, and vendor files.
• Ensure procurement processes comply with GiveDirectly's procurement policy and any applicable donor requirements.
• Promptly report procurement risks, delays, or non-compliance instances to the OPM and management team.
• Provide periodic procurement status reports and trackers to the OPM, and assist with ad hoc procurement-related tasks as needed.

Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of 3 years of experience in a procurement, purchasing, or supply chain role.
• A bachelor's degree or higher in Procurement, Logistics, or Supply Chain Management.
• Membership in professional procurement bodies is an advantage.
• Strong negotiation skills and sound judgment in vendor evaluation.
• High attention to detail and excellent record-keeping and documentation abilities.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills.
• A strong ownership mindset and the ability to work independently.
• Experience with procurement, payment, or expense management systems (e.g., Tipalti, Nexonia, or similar) is an advantage.
• Proficiency in office software (Microsoft Office, Google Suite, etc.), particularly Excel/Sheets.
• Comfort operating within a culture that values direct, candid feedback.
• Proficiency in English is required.

Working at GiveDirectly

GiveDirectly is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

For US applicants: Please review your rights as an applicant by clicking "Know Your Rights".

Commitment to Safeguarding

As a global organization dedicated to poverty eradication, GiveDirectly places the highest priority on the safeguarding of its recipients, staff, and partners. We are a member of the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and conduct systematic checks with previous employers regarding any abuse or misconduct-related matters involving potential new hires. Additional robust pre-hire screening may include in-depth reference checks, criminal background checks, and sanctions screenings.

These measures are vital for maintaining trust within the communities we serve and for preventing harm to our recipients and staff.

GiveDirectly is committed to upholding all local, national, and international laws protecting human rights. We operate under a policy of "zero tolerance" for preventing, reporting, or responding to any form of abuse or exploitation, and expect all personnel to prioritize the protection and safeguarding of our recipients.

Reasonable Accommodations

We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment. If you require any accommodations during the application or interview process, or to perform the essential functions of this role, please email us at [email protected] with the subject line "Accommodation Needed". We will work collaboratively with you to ensure your needs are met through reasonable accommodations.

To optimize your GiveDirectly application, please consult our Candidate Application Prep Guide.

Referrals

Know someone who would be an excellent candidate for this position? We offer a referral bonus: $3,000 for Senior Manager and above roles, and $500 for Manager roles, payable upon successful hire of your referral. Thank you for helping us connect with exceptional talent.

Skills

• Procurement Management
• Vendor Management
• Negotiating Skills
• Communication skills
• English