Yonah I S Samo

• Achieved 126% of annual programme delivery target in 2022, with procurement contributing over 60%.
• Designed and implemented CO Procurement business processes and internal SOPs, ensuring alignment with strategic program objectives.
• Realized significant cost savings through long-term agreements (LTAs) and collaboration with UN sister agencies.
• Conducted comprehensive training programs, enhancing procurement capabilities of operations and project staff.
• Spearheaded development of procurement strategies that accelerated program delivery and improved operational efficiency.

• Led procurement planning and implementation, ensuring alignment with strategic program goals and objectives.
• Developed and executed effective sourcing strategies, resulting in cost efficiencies and improved procurement outcomes.
• Provided strategic oversight for operations teams, ensuring high performance and compliance with procurement standards.
• Implemented accelerated delivery frameworks, resulting in faster and more efficient program execution.

• Coordinated inter-agency meetings, facilitated operations during the lockdown, and ensured continuity of services.
• Finalized critical health services contracts, ensuring duty of care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Developed and monitored Annual Work Plans (AWPs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to drive accelerated program delivery.
• Implemented robust planning processes that enhanced program execution and delivery timelines.

• Appointed on many occasions to oversee the Operations Cluster in the absence of DRR and when DRR was not in UNDP Sierra Leone.
• Introduced comprehensive procurement planning and effective implementation.
  Reviewed AWPs with programme/project and ensured their input into the Procurement Platform (PROMPT).
• Developed sourcing strategies for effective implementation of the Procurement Plan.
• Ensured cost savings through bulk purchases and cost-effective alternatives.
• Provided oversight to ensure compliance with corporate policies and procedures.
  Coordinated strategic, high-value, and complex procurement activities.
• Developed LTAs, rosters of suppliers and NGOs, and pre-qualified contractors for civil works.
• Successfully procured critical election materials (e.g., ballot boxes).
• Provided strategic leadership as the second most senior international staff in the Operations Cluster.
• Developed Annual Work Plan as part of the CO Integrated Annual Work Plan (IWPs).
• Established monitoring plans, KPIs, and SOPs.
• Arranged regular meetings with teams to discuss progress and resolve bottlenecks.
• Presented progress at weekly Senior Management Meetings with the RR, DRR, and Team Leaders.
• Chaired Sierra Leone One Procurement Team (SOPT), making it the most effective Working Group under OMT.
• Led UN joint procurement team to develop over 157 LTAs.
• Enhanced collaboration and unity among UN agencies in Sierra Leone through joint procurement initiatives and vendor information sharing.

Leadership

• Led a team of five Procurement Associates, ensuring efficient service delivery and elimination of complaints and delays.
• Worked with the DCD (O) to establish internal SOPs in Procurement, Logistics, and Operations, ensuring smooth workflows.

Cost Saving and Resource Generation

• Coordinated and implemented cost-saving strategies through LTAs, reducing transaction costs.
• Established cost recovery schedule through UPL and MoUs, recovering procurement-related costs for services rendered to other agencies.
• Generated significant resources through government third-party cost-sharing agreements, including two-year agreement with the Tanzanian Government, leading to 5% cost recovery.

Procurement Management

• Introduced checklist and management strategy for proper use of solicitation documents (RFQs, RFPs, ITBs), ensuring adherence to POPP Guidelines.
  Implemented transparent evaluation process to ensure value for money, monitored procurement thresholds, and made recommendations to CAP, RACP, or ACP.
• Ensured timely tender award notifications, contract preparations, monitoring, vendor appraisals, and timely payments.
• Internal Controls and Compliance
• Established smooth internal control system in line with IPSAS requirements, ensuring timely budget checks, Purchase Order dispatch, goods receipt, and Purchase Order closure.
• Conducted weekly monitoring of IPSAS and Procurement dashboards, ensuring error corrections before dashboard refreshes.

Joint Procurement Initiatives

• Provided leadership as Chairperson/Team Leader of the Joint Procurement Initiatives in Tanzania.
• Inspired the team to develop over 60 Common Long-Term Agreements, covering services such as banking, cleaning, security, stationery, travel, customs, printing, translation, and accommodation.
• Showcased successes at High-Level Meetings and attended a Procurement Harmonization Workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
• Registered as Procurement Expert in the HLCM PN Roster, receiving constant feedback from the Network.

Sierra Leone One Procurement Team (SOPT)

As chairperson of Sierra Leone One Procurement Team (SOPT), led the team to become the most effective Working Group under the Operations Management Team (OMT) resulting in the development of over 157 Long-Term Agreements (LTAs) across various services, including printing, HACT Assessment, Spot Checks, NIM Audit, Editorial Services, and vendor information sharing. This initiative significantly enhanced collaboration and unity among UN agencies in Sierra Leone, fostering a more integrated and efficient working environment.

CAP Secretary

Coordinated committee meetings and ensured quality assurance for submitted cases, produced and secured approval for meeting minutes from the respective authority, which led to significant reduction in CAP turnaround time. Developing efficient checklist and facilitating prompt meetings with oversight bodies expedited clearance of cases referred to RACP, ensuring swift resolutions and improved operational efficiency.