First of all, thank you for this opportunity.
I would describe myself as a dedicated and hybrid Logistics & Supply Chain
professional with over a decade of experience, with blend of public,private &
humanitarian Aid , focused on ensuring that essential supplies reach those who
need them most in challenging environments.
I hold a BA in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from Adama Science &
Technology University, and my career path has provided me with a unique '360-
degree' view of procurement:
Humanitarian Expertise: For the past two years, I have worked with major international NGOs
including Islamic Relief, HelpAge International, and Concern Worldwide. In these roles, I managed
complex procurement for ECHO, BHA, and USAID funded projects. This taught me how to operate
with extreme urgency while maintaining the strict compliance and audit standards required in the
humanitarian sector.
Private Sector Leadership: Prior to my NGO work, I served for three years as the Head of Supply
Chain & Procurement at Flower Construction. This was a high-pressure environment where I led the
entire department, focused on cost-saving strategies, high-stakes vendor negotiations, and
streamlining supply chains to meet strict commercial deadlines.
Public Sector Foundation: I began my career in the Silte Zone Finance Office as a Public
Procurement Officer. This gave me a solid foundation in government regulations and the importance
of financial accountability when managing donor funds at a local level.
Sample Answer
Thank you for the opportunity.
I would describe myself as a hybrid logistics and procurement professional with over a
decade of experience,whose career has been shaped by a commitment to effective service
delivery, whether in the private sector or in humanitarian aid.
My journey began in the public sector, where I worked as a Public Procurement Officer and Donor
Funded Financial Focal Person for five years. That experience was my foundation in strict compliance
and stewardship. I learned how to manage public money with absolute transparency and how to
navigate complex donor regulations—disciplines that are crucial for accountability in organizations
like MSF.
Seeking to broaden my operational speed, I moved into the private sector as Head of Supply Chain for
a construction company. In that role, I moved away from rigid bureaucratic timelines and learned the
value of agility and negotiation. In construction, if a material doesn't arrive on time, the whole project
stops. I learned how to build relationships with suppliers to ensure last-mile delivery under tight
deadlines, which significantly sharpened my problem-solving skills.
However, I always felt drawn back to purpose-driven work. Since 2024, I have focused intensely on
the humanitarian sector, working with major international NGOs like Concern Worldwide, HELPPAGE,
and currently Islamic Relief Worldwide. This period has been about integration—combining the
compliance of the public sector with the urgency of the private sector.
At Concern Worldwide (USAID/BHA project), I served as a LAF Officer, managing the trifecta of
Logistics, Admin, and Finance. This gave me a deep appreciation for the integrated nature of field
operations and the need for precision in high-stakes environments.
With HELPAGE (ECHO project) , I applied those skills to a European donor context, focusing on the
specific compliance requirements of ECHO.
Currently, as a Logistics and Administration Officer with Islamic Relief Worldwide, I am managing end-
to-end logistics, ensuring that programmatic goals are supported by efficient and ethical supply
chains.
What I bring to MSF Switzerland is not just a resume of job titles, but a 360-degree view of supply
chain management. I understand the strict rules of donor funding, the speed required by operational
reality, and the ultimate goal of serving beneficiaries. I am looking to bring this blended expertise to
MSF to support your principled humanitarian action, ensuring that your field teams have exactly what
they need, when they need it, in full compliance with your high standards."
"I am a Logistics and Supply Chain professional with over a decade of experience across the public,
private, and humanitarian sectors. My career has been built on the principle that efficient
procurement is the backbone of any successful operation.
Currently, as a Logistics and Administration Officer at Islamic Relief, and previously with HelpAge and
Concern Worldwide, I have specialized in managing procurement cycles for high-stakes donor projects
like ECHO and USAID. I am deeply familiar with the rigors of market assessments, obtaining competitive
quotations, and ensuring that every purchase aligns with strict legal and tax (VAT) requirements—which
I know is a core accountability for MSF.
Before entering the NGO sector, I served as the Head of Supply Chain & Procurement at Flower
Construction, where I managed large-scale budgets and honed my negotiation skills to ensure 'value for
money.' I also have a strong foundation in public finance from my time at the Silte Zone Finance Office,
which makes me highly proficient in managing cash advances and administrative accounting.
How do you ensure MSF gets the best 'Value for Money'
[Link] Market Assessment: I don't just wait for a Purchase Request. I proactively monitor the
local market to identify reliable suppliers and keep the Supplier-Item-Price data updated. This allows
for faster decision-making when an urgent request arrives.
[Link] Comparison: I follow MSF’s policy of obtaining and comparing multiple quotations. I look
beyond just the 'lowest price' to evaluate quality, delivery timelines, and after-sales
service/warranties.
[Link] Integrity: I ensure that the 'paper trail' is perfect—from verified invoices and
translated receipts to matching delivery notes against purchase orders. I also place a high priority on
Cold Chain management for medical-related items to ensure that the value of the goods isn't lost
during transport.
How do you handle pressure and changing priorities?
My approach is to prioritize tasks based on
Importncy , urgency and impact—for MSF,
Can you describe your process for conducting a market
assessment for a new product or category?
begin by clearly defining the technical specifications
and quality standards required,consultation with the
end-user .
identify potential local suppliers through a combination
of methods: online research, business directories,
talking to other NGOs, and visiting local markets or
industrial areas.
evaluate the supplier's reliability, lead times, payment
terms, quality control processes, and their ability to
provide after-sales service.
How would you handle a situation where only one
supplier can provide a specific, essential item?
I would first document the rationale—
why this supplier is the only option. Then,
I would still try to negotiate the best possible
price and terms with that supplier.
I would also immediately inform my Supply
Supervisor and explore, or ask them to explore, if
there are alternative products or specifications
that could open up the market to other suppliers
for future purchases, thereby mitigating the risk
of relying on a single source.
How do you managing petty cash or advances, and
what processes would you put in place to ensure
accountability?
I would keep all receipts organized
chronologically,
ensure every expense is linked to an approved
purchase request, and
reconcile the advance on a regular basis
How do you proactively follow up with suppliers to
avoid delays?
I confirm the delivery date in writing with the
supplier. Then,
I schedule proactive follow-ups before the
expected delivery date—for
What does the "reception control process" mean to
you, and what would you check for when goods arrive?
1 . Verify quantity: Count the items against the
delivery note and our purchase order.
2. Check for damage: Inspect packaging and items
for any signs of damage during transit.
3 .Quality check: Ensure the items match the
specifications on the order (brand, model, expiry
dates for medical items).
4 . Match documents: Ensure the DN, invoice, and
PO all correspond.
Only after this joint verification would I sign for the
goods and hand them over to the storekeeper for
proper storage."
What is cold chain management ❓
preserving the efficacy of temperature-
sensitive medical products
like vaccines, insulin, and some laboratory
reagents
Through components
Cold Storage
Cool Transport
Cold Logistics
With Key elements
Personnel:
Equipment:
Procedures:
How would you ensure that all invoices and
receipts are accurate and compliant ❓
I would create a personal checklist for
every invoice.
verifying that the
supplier's name and tax ID are correct,
the date is valid,
the items and quantities match the purchase order
and delivery note,
the prices are as agreed, and the
calculations are accurate.
a colleague puts pressure on you to bypass the
standard procurement process to get an item
faster. How would you handle this?
I would first listen to their urgency and
acknowledge their need.
I would work with them to find a solution
within the rules.