WOMEN IN PROCUREMENT
Career insights with Anita Ringi BY ESTHER NURIA Honiara Solomon Islands
Q&A “As a female working in a male dominated specialty it is quiet challenging, due to cultural stereotypes and bias. However, having amazing managerial support and recognition from my team, I am able to work and lead the team to the best of my ability.” Featured in this issue of Pacific Tenders Magazine’s Women in Procurement, Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), Procurement Manager Mrs. Anita Ringi shared her story as a female Procurement Manager working in the MEHRD.
tion (SICHE) now SINU in November 2012.They told me that I was not successful for the position but they offered me the position of a Contracts Administrator in the Procurement and Contracts Management Unit, Finance Division.
> Briefly introduces yourself (profile)?
My name is Anita Ringi and I am currently working in the Procurement and Contracts Management Unit, Finance Division within the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development as the Procurement Manager.
> What are the perks of being a Procurement Manager?
As a female working in a male dominated field is quiet challenging, due to cultural stereotypes and bias. However, having amazing managerial support and recognition from my team, I am able to work and lead the team to the best of my ability.
What does a procurement Manager
> do (for our readers to understand)?
My role is to provide center wide procurement and contract management roles & responsibilities, including but not limited to, procuring goods, works and services in accordance with Procurement & Contract Administration Manual 2013, Financial Instructions (FIs) 2010 and the Public Financial Management Act 2014.Providing guidance, advice and support to ensure procurement processes are effective, efficient, and ethical to provide the best possible value for money to the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development. How long have you been working as
> a Procurement Manager with the MEHRD?
I started working as a procurement Manager when I first applied for a position in the Internal Audit Division in March 2013 after graduating from the Solomon Islands College of Higher Educa-
>
16
www.pacifictenders.com
>
What are some difficulties and challenges worth mentioning, in your line of work?
Procurement role in an organisation is to drive compliance to administrative rules imposed by the organisation, which is always met with a level of resistance from project managers and suppliers. I am overcoming this challenge by building effective professional relationship, and understanding personal and professional objectives. Working as Procurement Manager is quite challenging despite the advantages, procurement is still an extremely challenging career choice and I’m still learning and growing in my career as the Procurement Manager. Being Procurement Specialist requires one to have sound understanding of all rules and regulations, great business acumen and strong negotiations/
