Director – Procurement and Contracts

Ministry of Education Dubai; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational entity in Dubai is seeking a Director of Procurement & Contracts to oversee procurement strategies and contract management. This senior role requires extensive experience in procurement operations, strategic planning, and regulatory compliance to enhance service delivery within educational frameworks. Ideal candidates will possess strong negotiation skills, analytical capabilities, and the ability to manage supplier relationships effectively.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in procurement and contract management.
• 5+ years in a management position.
• Professional certification (e.g., CIPS, CPSM) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of a strategic procurement roadmap.
• Ensure compliance with Ministry of Finance policies and UAE Federal procurement laws.
• Oversee procurement, contract, and supplier management activities across the Ministry.

Skills

Procurement Management

Contract Management

Supplier Relationship Management

Analytical Thinking

Negotiation Skills

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Law

Tools

Digital Procurement Systems

ERP Tools

Job description

Job Description
Since the establishment of the union of the United Arab Emirates in 1971, education has received the utmost attention of the founding leader, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may Allah have mercy on him, and his founding brothers. They believed that education was the cornerstone of building an enabled community that could keep pace with the advancements. Over the past decades, the wise leadership of the country was keen on building an educational system that matched its counterparts in the advanced nations. It harnessed for this purpose all the required capabilities, to achieve the country's agenda and national vision in this regard. Sincere efforts have also been made to develop education and adopt the best systems that achieve high-quality education outputs, to achieve the future visions and aspirations of the wise leadership.
Since investing in human capital is the main objective, the UAE has been keen on establishing the Ministry of Education and creating the appropriate environment to build pioneering Emirati schools, in terms of standards, form, and content they provide. It also made sure that such schools provided high-quality educational environment and owned the most technically advanced tools to be able to graduate generations that could pursue their university education confidently in higher education institutions to fulfil the requirements of labour market.
The MOE has also provided a smart learning system and high-quality digital platforms, side by side with the continuous development of school curriculums, according to national learning standards, assessment policy that is based on assessing for learning, and highest quality standards that match the best international practices. Various learning tracks, moreover, have been provided to support the capabilities and skills of students and achieve the country's strategy of encouraging the culture of creativity and innovation through providing the students with the skills of the 21st century and motivating them to have new ideas that relate to the reality they live in and foresee the future. This will eventually help in finding radical, sustainable solutions to the major issues, improving competitiveness, and supporting smart government in its attempts to keep pace with global advancements, advance education, and push it to broad horizons of excellence, leadership, and competitiveness.
Department Definition:
The Director of Procurement & Contracts will be overseeing three critical verticals: Supplier Development & Relations, Procurement, and Contracts Management. The role is responsible for setting strategic direction, leading procurement transformation initiatives, and ensuring effective implementation of policies, systems, and practices in line with the Ministry of Finance guidelines and UAE Federal Government procurement regulations. This position plays a key role in aligning procurement functions with the Ministry s broader operational and educational objectives, ensuring transparency, compliance, efficiency, and value across the end-to-end procurement value chain.
The Supplier Development & Relations Division focuses on building a strong, diverse, and competitive supplier base to meet Ministry of Education strategic needs. It oversees supplier registration, performance evaluation, satisfaction monitoring, and continuous engagement to ensure high service quality and timely delivery. The division also handles dispute resolution, recognition programs, and monthly closure of supplier transactions in line with federal regulations.
The Procurement Division is responsible for identifying and consolidating Ministry of Education material, service, and technology needs, ensuring efficient and transparent procurement practices. It manages the full tendering process, from requirements gathering and technical specification reviews to bid evaluation and award, while ensuring compliance with the Ministry of Finance and Federal Government policies. The division also drives process improvements in procurement methods, item classification, and data analytics.
The Contracts Division manages the drafting, standardization, negotiations and execution, and lifecycle oversight of all contracts. It ensures contracts meet legal and regulatory standards, monitors their implementation, and handles amendments, renewals, and closures. The division provides strategic input on contracting policies and performance, helping the Ministry secure value-for-money agreements that support operational goals.
Main Job Duties & Responsibilities:
- Lead the development and execution of a strategic procurement roadmap aligned with the Ministry of Education s operational goals.
- Oversee all procurement, contract, and supplier management activities across the Ministry.
- Ensure compliance with Ministry of Finance policies and UAE Federal procurement laws.
- Promote strategic sourcing to achieve cost efficiency, quality, and timely delivery of educational and administrative needs.
- Leverage digital tools and platforms to optimize procurement operations and analytics.
- Develop strategic partnerships with key vendors to drive innovation and long-term value.
- Represent the Ministry in high-level procurement negotiations, audits, and federal forums.
- Ensure capacity building and performance management across procurement staff.
Skills
- 15+ years of experience in procurement and contract management, including at least 5 years in a management position.
- Bachelor s or master s degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, Law, or within a related field.
- Professional certification (e.g., CIPS, CPSM).
- Strong knowledge of UAE federal procurement policies and Ministry of Finance frameworks.
- Proven ability to manage large-scale procurement operations and transformation programs.
- Strategic planning and execution.
- Leadership and team development.
- Supplier relationship management.
- Contract drafting and legal interpretation.
- Government procurement and compliance.
- Digital procurement systems and ERP tools.
- Analytical thinking and decision-making.
- Strong negotiation and communication skills.
- Risk management and governance.
- Speaking, Reading & Writing English & Arabic.

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