QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY

Procurement expert with almost 20 years’ of procurement experience in international donors funded projects including for Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and World Bank, as well as in the private sector.
Hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge of all phases of procurement policies and procedures.
Substantial experience in preparing procurement operational manuals and bid challenge systems according to the country context.
Extensive experience with managing the entire procurement cycle for consulting services, goods, and works using all procurement methods.
Conducted market analyses to gain insights into the optimization of procurement activities and has prepared detailed bidding documents, organized and managed pre-proposal and pre-bid events.
Participated in leading evaluation panels, drafting evaluation reports, and finalizing contracts.
Well versed in contract administration activities including preparing contract amendments.
Experience in managing and executing procurement activities for infrastructure, education, health, and governance projects.
Recognized by stakeholders for excellent interpersonal and communication skills, time management and responsiveness to requests.
Excellent academic credentials and fully proficient in Microsoft Office and e-procurement tools.

EDUCATION

MSc., Procurement, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, University of Salford, UK
BSc., Accounting & Finance, Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone

Certifications

Project Management Professional, Project Management Institute (PMI), USA
Professional Diploma, Procurement and Supply, Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), UK

Additional Professional Training/Certificates/Short Course

AI for Work and Life, University of North Florida
Generative AI Overview for Project Managers, Project Management Institute
MCC Procurement Forum – Millennium Challenge Corporation, Washington D.C.,
Effective Project Management with PRINCE 2
Procurement Category Management, Terrapin Training

LANGUAGE SKILLS

English

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & AFFILIATIONS

Project Management Institute (PMI)
Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)

EXPERIENCE

Program Manager / XL ASSOCIATES, INC. (XLA); January 2025 - Current

Program Manager for the Gambia and Sierra Leone Interim Procurement Agent Agreements with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). Work closely with the MCC COR/PM to ensure project timeliness and deliverables are being achieved. Responsible for coordinating the completion of requirements and activities and communicating effectively with all MCC personnel. Responsible for the overall quality of the work and work products produced under the agreement for both countries. Responsible for managing the teams assigned to each program and for ensuring timely availability of specialists and support personnel to meet the procurement and financial management objectives and timelines required.

Interim Procurement Agent / Procurement Specialist, Belize Compact Development Team (Government of Belize); August 2024 – February 2025

Provide procurement agent services for the MCC compact development program in Belize.

Responsible for all procurement processes including; Develop, plan, manage and administer effectively the entire chain of the procurement process for selecting the suppliers, contractors and consultants for a wide variety of goods, works and services. Conduct procurements and conclude procurement contracts in compliance with MCC Program Procurement Guidelines and Guidance Documents. Maintain controls throughout the process for the selection of suppliers, contractors and consultants to ensure good faith, fair dealing and appropriate confidentiality by representatives of the consultant and others who are officially involved in the procurement activity. Assure that selection of all suppliers, contractors and consultants is performed in a fully professional, transparent and ethical manner, and that all participating suppliers, contractors and consultants are treated on a fair and equal basis. Take measures to prevent, detect and remediate, as required, Fraud and Corruption in the conduct of procurements in accordance with the set principles.

Senior Procurement Expert, Crown Agents, USA; October 2021 – July 2024

Provided procurement support to MCC program countries in Sierra Leone, Lesotho, Gambia, Mozambique, Malawi, Indonesia, and Belize. Adapted MCC's Procurement Operational Manual and Bid Challenge System templates for use in various countries. On behalf of the Country Teams, developed, planned, managed, and administered the entire procurement process for selecting the suppliers, contractors, and consultants for a variety of goods, works and services using several procurement methods and MCC Standard Bidding Documents. Organized pre-proposal and pre-bid events for large procurements as directed by MCC. Analyzed market conditions to promote competition and optimize procurement activities. Managed evaluation panels according to MCC Procurement Guidelines and Handbook. Provided training using MCC's templates for preparing Terms of References and other materials. Assisted in finalizing contracts and ensured strict compliances with MCC procurement procedures. Took measures to prevent, detect and, as instructed, remediate fraud and corruption in the conduct of procurements in accordance with the MCC policies. Maintained controls throughout the selection process to ensure good faith, fair dealing, and appropriate confidentiality. Contributed to reports prepared by Crown Agents as required by MCAs and MCC. Ensured proper record keeping of all procurement steps and hand-over of all ongoing procurements and procurement files to the selected Procurement Agent.

Senior Procurement Specialist / Procurement Lead, Millennium Challenge Coordinating Unit, Sierra Leone; July 2020 – July 2021.

Coordinated and supervised the work of three Procurement Experts within the Unit. Developed, planned, managed, and administered the entire procurement process for selecting suppliers, contractors, and consultants for the MCCU Threshold Program using several procurement methods. Conducted procurements in compliance with MCC Accountable Entity Procurement Policy and Guidelines (PPG) and other documents. Organized market outreach events to promote upcoming procurement opportunities. Analyzed market conditions to promote competition and optimize procurement success. Managed the entire selection for suppliers, contractors, and consultants using approved Procurement Plans. Provided guidance and regular training to MCCU, Implementing Entities, Project Managers, and consultants. Ensured all contract administration tasks were conducted in accordance with MCC procurement rules. Ensured proper record keeping of all procurement and contract administration activities including amendments, CPPRs and contract closeout.

Procurement Specialist, Millennium Challenge Coordinating Unit, Sierra Leone; October 2018 – June 2020

Conducted procurements across different methods for all categories of procurement. Prepared procurement documents, evaluation reports, contracts, and minutes. Negotiated and drafted contracts. Maintained a database of suppliers and administered record-keeping of all procurements. Carried out eligibility verification and reference checks for suppliers, consultants and contractors. Facilitated procurement conferences, evaluations, and negotiations. Supervised the work of procurement officers within the unit. Ensured proper record keeping of all procurement and contract administration activities.

Procurement Consultant (Short Term Technical Assistance), World Bank funded projects; Various Countries; 2018 – 2023

Prepared Project Procurement Strategy for Development (PPSD) for several projects. Conducted strategic assessments, and market analysis, and provided recommendations for procurement approaches. Carried out market analysis to develop an appropriate understanding of the market sectors that were identified as having the potential to provide the goods, services and/or works required for an activity within a project.

Procurement Specialist, The World Bank, Sierra Leone; Various Periods; November 2016 – March 2017.

Managed procurement activities for implementation of the Sierra Leone Integrated Household Survey. Ensured compliance with World Bank guidelines, Grant Agreement provisions, and the Sierra Leone Public Procurement Act. Assisted in the preparation of procurement plans, RFPs, and bidding documents. Provided training and support to staff in procurement processes.

Consultant - Procurement and Supplier Development, Adam Smith International, Sierra Leone; October 2014 – December 2016.

Managed procurement activities of the Local Content Unit. Investigated procurement practices, drafted strategies for promoting local content, and established liaison networks with key market actors. Organized matchmaking events and maintained a database of SMEs.

Procurement & Supply Chain Management Director, Green Networks SL Ltd, Sierra Leone; November 2013 – October 2014

Developed internal procurement policies and processes. Managed operational procurements, supply chain, warehousing, and logistics. Created an organization chart and roles/responsibilities of each team member. Determined key departmental duties, responsibilities and work areas.

Head of Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Airtel SL Ltd, Sierra Leone; February 2010 – December 2012

Ensured the implementation and management of procurement policies and procedures. Lead the Department, comprising a team of 14 staff members in the Procurement, Warehouse and Logistics, Real Estate and Facilities Management Units. Was the interface between the Sierra Leone Operations and the Airtel Group Supply Chain. Managed the supply chain end-to-end. Achieved efficiency and cost consciousness, and achieved a timely supply of goods and services. Between 2006 and 2010, she was Procurement Manager for Airtel.

COUNTRY SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE

USA, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nepal, Malawi, Mozambique, Lesotho, Indonesia, Gambia, Belize