African Parks (AP) is a not-for-profit conservation organization that secures mandates through Public-Private Partnerships with governments and communities for the rehabilitation and long-term management of protected areas across Africa. In Malawi, African Parks manages Majete Wildlife Reserve, Liwonde National Park, Mangochi Forest Reserve and Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for the position of Procurement Officer based at Majete Wildlife Reserve, Chikwawa.

African Parks is seeking a highly motivated, dynamic and academically strong individual with a passion for conservation and a desire to develop a long-term career within protected area management.

This position is being offered as a Graduate Development Opportunity and is intended to identify talented individuals with strong potential who can be trained and mentored within African Parks systems and procedures. Previous procurement experience may be advantageous but is not essential. We are primarily seeking candidates with the right attitude, aptitude, integrity and willingness to learn.

Recent graduates and early-career professionals are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Procurement Officer will report directly to the Finance Manager and work closely with all departments across the reserve. The successful candidate will support and coordinate procurement activities while developing a comprehensive understanding of procurement, logistics, inventory management, compliance and operational support within a conservation environment.

Responsibilities or duties

• Coordinate purchase requisitions, generate PRs, and ensure completeness in line with African Parks procurement SOPs.
• Track approved procurement requests, follow up on progress, and provide status updates to relevant departments.
• Source quotations, support bid evaluations, compile quotation analyses, and prepare procurement recommendations within approved thresholds.
• Prepare, issue and monitor Purchase Orders for approved procurements, ensuring supplier confirmations are obtained.
• Facilitate procurement approvals in line with delegated authority levels and segregation-of-duties requirements.
• Maintain accurate procurement records and assist with supplier agreements and service contracts using approved templates.
• Maintain the Approved Supplier Register and supplier records, including statutory documentation and due diligence information.
• Support supplier onboarding, evaluations and performance monitoring against quality, delivery, responsiveness and compliance standards.
• Escalate supplier performance concerns and support negotiations on pricing, delivery schedules and contract terms.
• Conduct periodic benchmarking and identify opportunities for cost savings and procurement efficiencies.
• Capture procurement transactions in MyStock and ensure inventory, consumables and asset classifications are accurate.
• Maintain complete, accurate and audit-ready procurement documentation and tracking records.
• Prepare procurement compliance reports and support internal, donor and external audit processes.
• Support Electronic Invoicing System requirements with MRA and coordinate with Stores personnel on stock movement reconciliations.
• Verify that goods received conform to approved specifications and support preparation of Goods Received Notes.
• Resolve discrepancies, shortages, quality concerns and supplier returns in coordination with Stores and user departments.
• Ensure procured assets, including donor-funded assets, are properly recorded, tagged and registered in MyStock.
• Support compliance with donor procurement requirements, approvals, reporting obligations and project documentation standards.
• Uphold African Parks’ Anti-Corruption Policy, declare and avoid conflicts of interest, and maintain confidentiality of procurement information.
• Report suspected fraud, irregularities or unethical conduct through appropriate channels and promote transparent, accountable procurement practices.
• Collaborate with departments to forecast procurement needs, participate in planning meetings and support urgent operational requirements.
• Provide guidance on procurement procedures and maintain procurement tracking tools, status updates and management reports.

Qualifications or requirements 

• Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized tertiary institution in Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Purchasing and Supply, Procurement Management, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Logistics Management, Commerce, Economics or a closely related field.
• Recent graduates and early-career professionals are encouraged to apply.
• Some practical experience in procurement, purchasing, logistics, inventory management, finance, accounting, stores administration, contract administration or a related administrative function will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrated exposure to procurement processes, supplier management, quotation analysis, inventory control systems or procurement compliance will be an added advantage.
• Professional qualification or progress towards a procurement-related professional certification such as CIPS will be an added advantage.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Strong analytical, numerical and problem-solving abilities.
• Good computer literacy, including Microsoft Office applications, particularly Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to learn and effectively use procurement, inventory and ERP systems.
• Demonstrated integrity, professionalism and willingness to learn.
• Valid driver’s licence will be an added advantage.

Experience needed

Some practical experience in procurement, purchasing, logistics, inventory management, finance, accounting, stores administration, contract administration or a related administrative function will be an added advantage.

Any other provided details 

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Technical Competencies

• Understanding of procurement principles and procedures.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills.
• Data management and reporting capabilities.
• Computer literacy and ability to learn ERP and inventory systems.
• Understanding of business processes and internal controls.

Behavioural Competencies

• Integrity and ethical conduct.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to learn and receive mentorship.
• Professionalism and accountability.
• Ability to handle confidential information.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)

• Compliance with African Parks Procurement SOPs.
• Maintenance of complete and audit-ready procurement records.
• Timely processing of procurement requests.
• Accuracy of procurement and inventory records.
• Supplier performance monitoring and management.
• Contribution to cost-effective procurement practices.
• Successful completion of training and development milestones.
• Demonstrated growth and competence within African Parks procurement systems.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

African Parks is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, inclusion and the development of future conservation professionals. We are not necessarily recruiting a procurement expert; we are recruiting a future African Parks professional who will be developed into a procurement expert.

• Coordinate purchase requisitions, generate PRs, and ensure completeness in line with African Parks procurement SOPs.
• Track approved procurement requests, follow up on progress, and provide status updates to relevant departments.
• Source quotations, support bid evaluations, compile quotation analyses, and prepare procurement recommendations within approved thresholds.
• Prepare, issue and monitor Purchase Orders for approved procurements, ensuring supplier confirmations are obtained.
• Facilitate procurement approvals in line with delegated authority levels and segregation-of-duties requirements.
• Maintain accurate procurement records and assist with supplier agreements and service contracts using approved templates.
• Maintain the Approved Supplier Register and supplier records, including statutory documentation and due diligence information.
• Support supplier onboarding, evaluations and performance monitoring against quality, delivery, responsiveness and compliance standards.
• Escalate supplier performance concerns and support negotiations on pricing, delivery schedules and contract terms.
• Conduct periodic benchmarking and identify opportunities for cost savings and procurement efficiencies.
• Capture procurement transactions in MyStock and ensure inventory, consumables and asset classifications are accurate.
• Maintain complete, accurate and audit-ready procurement documentation and tracking records.
• Prepare procurement compliance reports and support internal, donor and external audit processes.
• Support Electronic Invoicing System requirements with MRA and coordinate with Stores personnel on stock movement reconciliations.
• Verify that goods received conform to approved specifications and support preparation of Goods Received Notes.
• Resolve discrepancies, shortages, quality concerns and supplier returns in coordination with Stores and user departments.
• Ensure procured assets, including donor-funded assets, are properly recorded, tagged and registered in MyStock.
• Support compliance with donor procurement requirements, approvals, reporting obligations and project documentation standards.
• Uphold African Parks’ Anti-Corruption Policy, declare and avoid conflicts of interest, and maintain confidentiality of procurement information.
• Report suspected fraud, irregularities or unethical conduct through appropriate channels and promote transparent, accountable procurement practices.
• Collaborate with departments to forecast procurement needs, participate in planning meetings and support urgent operational requirements.
• Provide guidance on procurement procedures and maintain procurement tracking tools, status updates and management reports.

• Understanding of procurement principles and procedures.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills.
• Data management and reporting capabilities.
• Computer literacy and ability to learn ERP and inventory systems.
• Understanding of business processes and internal controls.
• Integrity and ethical conduct.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to learn and receive mentorship.
• Professionalism and accountability.
• Ability to handle confidential information.

• Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized tertiary institution in Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Purchasing and Supply, Procurement Management, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Logistics Management, Commerce, Economics or a closely related field.
• Recent graduates and early-career professionals are encouraged to apply.
• Some practical experience in procurement, purchasing, logistics, inventory management, finance, accounting, stores administration, contract administration or a related administrative function will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrated exposure to procurement processes, supplier management, quotation analysis, inventory control systems or procurement compliance will be an added advantage.
• Professional qualification or progress towards a procurement-related professional certification such as CIPS will be an added advantage.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Strong analytical, numerical and problem-solving abilities.
• Good computer literacy, including Microsoft Office applications, particularly Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to learn and effectively use procurement, inventory and ERP systems.
• Demonstrated integrity, professionalism and willingness to learn.
• Valid driver’s licence will be an added advantage.