JOB DETAILS:

JOB PURPOSE

To strategically manage IT procurement, vendor relationships, and contracts, ensuring optimal value, compliance, and effective governance, serving as the IT purchasing and budget officer. This role involves overseeing the full lifecycle of vendor engagements, from selection through contract negotiation to ongoing performance management, while ensuring alignment with the Bank's operational objectives, regulatory requirements, and industry standards. The position aligns with ITIL, PPDA, and the Bank of Uganda Procurement Manual to drive effective vendor and contract management practices.

Duties and Responsibilities

• • Develop and execute strategic vendor management frameworks and governance structures to optimize vendor relationships and performance
  • Create and maintain comprehensive vendor management plans, including risk assessments, performance metrics, and contract compliance monitoring
  • Lead contract negotiations with IT vendors to secure favorable terms, ensuring alignment with business requirements and value for money
  • Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key IT vendors and service providers
  • Prepare annual IT Capital Budget, including IT projects, computer equipment, and software, aligning budgets with the Bank's strategic initiatives
  • Compile and submit the annual Procurement Plan to the Procurement Department, detailing all items planned for procurement in the financial year
  • Manage the allocation, utilization, and oversight of program funding ensuring accountability and compliance with financial policies
  • Monitor vendor compliance with Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and implement performance improvement plans when necessary
  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive vendor risk management program, including assessment, monitoring, and mitigation strategies
  • Develop and implement vendor performance metrics and KPIs to track and improve service delivery
  • Initiate requests for renewal of contracts for IT services, ensuring timely renewals before expiry
  • Initiate procurement requests for IT goods and services based on signed-off TORs/Specifications and the Procurement Plan
  • Initiate payments for IT goods and services once payment terms are met as per contracts
  • Escalate service and support issues to vendors for resolution, ensuring timely and effective issue resolution
  • Submit accurate and timely management reports, including vendor manager reports, procurement plan status reports, and budget performance reports
  • Act as a liaison between the IT Operations Department and the Procurement Department to manage IT procurements and external vendors effectively
  • Maintain a catalogue of vendor IDs for quick retrieval and ensure accurate documentation of all vendor interactions and transactions
  • Undertake additional duties as assigned by the Team Leader, IT Compliance from time to time.

Expected Outputs

• Individual Balanced Scorecard
• Annual IT Capital, Recurrent, and STRATEX Budgets
• Annual IT Procurement Plan
• Vendor performance assessment reports
• Contract compliance reports
• Funds reservation list for end-of-year accounting
• Comprehensive IT Vendor and Supplier Database
• Catalogue of Vendor IDs
• List of new procurements initiated, and contracts renewed
• Status reports on procurements and payments
• Vendor risk assessment reports
• SLA monitoring reports
• Weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual procurement performance reports.

MINIMUM PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS

Qualifications:

• A First or Upper Second-Class degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, Commerce, Accounting, Finance, or Business Computing.
• A master’s degree in supply chain management, Procurement, Finance, Technology, Leadership, or Business Administration is an added advantage.
• Professional certifications in IT Service Management (ITIL), Project Management (PRINCE2, PMP), Accounting, or Procurement.

Work Experience:

• At least five (5) years of relevant working experience in vendor and contract management, with hands-on experience in accounting, procurement, and budgeting.
• Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) e.g., SAP, Oracle E-Business Suite, or Microsoft Dynamics is an added advantage.

Age:

• 30.0 – 38.0 years of age as at close of the advert.

Competencies:

Technical Competencies

• Strong and demonstrable knowledge of procurement principles and practices in a banking or financial environment
• Experience in program and project management with a focus on vendor governance
• Proficiency in budgeting and financial management
• Expertise in contract management, SLA development and monitoring
• Expertise in vendor relationship management and performance optimization
• Knowledge of procurement and taxation laws and policies
• Strong technical documentation skills
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders effectively
• Proficiency in using BI and MS Office tools for reporting and documentation.

Behavioral

• Strategic thinking and planning abilities
• Strong negotiation and vendor relationship management skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• High level of integrity and accountability
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Proactive and innovative mindset
• Attention to detail and decision-making abilities
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.