Procurement and Travel Officer

Barnabas International is a large family of Christian ministries and charities focused on giving practical support to suffering, abandoned and persecuted Christians around the world. The ministry was founded in 1993, and since then, it has funded projects in more than 100 countries, providing hope and help to millions of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Some of our key projects include supplying food aid, medical supplies, educational and vocational training, Bibles, micro-enterprise, disaster relief, help for victims of violence, and support for pastors and church leaders. Barnabas Aid also provides advocacy for religious freedom, especially for persecuted and suffering Christians.

Barnabas is primarily a Christian ministry and a charity. Employees are expected to subscribe to the Vision, Mission, Value and Statement of Faith, and their work may be viewed as being vocational. There is an occupational requirement for applicants to be practising Christians, who are engaged in their local church, in order to be able to carry out our roles.

The Procurement and Travel Officer will play a vital role in managing the procurement and travel functions for the organisation, working closely with both internal stakeholders and external suppliers. This role is critical in ensuring the smooth and efficient booking of travel for staff and senior stakeholders, as well as overseeing the organisation’s purchasing activities. As a newly created position, the successful candidate will be responsible for establishing systems and processes to manage travel and procurement, working closely with the Finance team and the Travel and Security Advisor in the HR department to ensure consistency and financial integrity.                                             

Travel Management:

· Coordinate and manage all travel arrangements for staff and senior stakeholders, ensuring timely and cost-effective bookings while adhering to organisational policies.

· Organise international and domestic travel, including flights, accommodation, transport, and visa arrangements.

· Serve as the point of contact for travel-related inquiries, providing guidance and support for smooth logistics.

· Negotiate with travel vendors and service providers to secure the best pricing and terms for the organisation.

Procurement Management:

· Oversee and manage the purchasing of goods and services for the organisation, ensuring compliance with procurement policies and budgetary guidelines.

· Source, evaluate, and engage with suppliers for the provision of necessary goods and services, aiming to achieve cost-efficiency and quality.

· Develop and maintain procurement records, including purchase orders, contracts, and supplier agreements.

· Liaise with Finance to ensure accurate tracking of procurement expenditures and alignment with budget allocations.

Collaboration with HR and Security Teams:

· Work closely with the Travel and Security Advisor in the HR department to ensure travel safety and security measures are in place for staff and senior stakeholders, particularly for international trips.

· Support the integration of security protocols into travel arrangements and procurement decisions, ensuring all relevant safety guidelines are met.

· Assist in providing pre-travel briefings and information to staff traveling to high-risk areas.

Systems and Process Development:

· Collaborate with the Finance team to design and implement systems for procurement and travel functions.

· Create standard operating procedures (SOPs) for travel bookings and procurement to ensure operational consistency and compliance.

· Identify opportunities for process improvement and implement best practices to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.

· Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all procurement and travel transactions, ensuring clear communication across departments.

Stakeholder Support and Coordination:

· Act as the primary point of contact for internal teams and external suppliers regarding procurement and travel matters.

· Support staff and senior stakeholders with travel and procurement inquiries, troubleshooting any issues that may arise.

· Assist in coordinating logistics for organisational events, conferences, and field visits, ensuring all travel and procurement requirements are met.

Confidentiality and Discretion:

· Handle sensitive information with the utmost confidentiality, ensuring that all procurement and travel-related matters are managed discreetly.

· Proven experience in procurement, travel coordination, or a similar role, ideally within the public or not-for-profit sector.

· Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines.

· Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to work collaboratively with both internal teams and external vendors.

· Experience negotiating with suppliers and managing travel logistics.

· Strong attention to detail and accuracy in record-keeping and document preparation.