RLS - Head of Procurement and Contracts

Organization: Dubai GovernmentEducational-level Beginning of the main content section.Return to the home pagePrintable Format Job Description - RLS - Head of Procurement and Contracts (26003167)Job Description RLS - Head of Procurement and Contracts - (26003167) About Rashid and Latifa Schools Establishment:Established under Law No. (11) of 2022, Rashid and Latifa Schools (RLS) is a unified educational institution that brings together Latifa School for Girls (founded in 1982) and Rashid School for Boys (founded in 1986). Both schools were originally created by Royal Decree of the late Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, with the vision of delivering world-class education to Emiratis and expatriates alike. As two of Dubai’s oldest and most prestigious schools, RLS has educated generations of leaders and influential figures, including His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Women’s Establishment, and Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture. Today, RLS continues this legacy as a modern, integrated institution, dedicated to nurturing excellence and preparing future generations of leaders.Job Description A. Leadership and Strategic Responsibilities· Implement, maintain and improve RLSE’s procurement procedures, sourcing model, supplier governance practices and contract management controls in alignment with organizational priorities and approved policies.· Coordinate procurement planning across academic, operational, facilities, technology and corporate requirements to support timely sourcing, budget alignment, value for money and service continuity.· Provide procurement advice to leadership, budget owners and internal stakeholders on sourcing options, supplier risks, commercial considerations, contract obligations and compliance requirements.· Establish transparent tendering, quotation, evaluation, award and single-source processes that support fairness, accountability, documentation quality and appropriate segregation of duties.· Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, suppliers, contractors, consultants, auditors, legal advisors and government-related entities to support effective delivery of RLSE requirements.Promote a culture of ethical procurement, compliance, value creation, cost consciousness, supplier accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement across RLSE.B. Specialised / Technical Responsibilities· Oversee end-to-end procurement activities, including needs analysis, market research, supplier prequalification, RFQs/RFPs, tender documentation, bid receipt, evaluation coordination, award recommendations and purchase-order governance.· Ensure procurement activities are conducted in accordance with RLSE procurement policies, approved budgets, authority matrix, delegated approvals, audit requirements and applicable government procurement expectations.· Lead supplier evaluation, due diligence and performance management processes, including quality, cost, delivery, compliance, safeguarding, health and safety, service levels and contract deliverables.· Coordinate with Finance to ensure budget availability, cost control, payment alignment, purchase requisition accuracy, commitment tracking and procurement reporting.· Coordinate with Operations, Facilities, Digital Transformation, academic departments and school leadership to plan procurement timelines and minimize disruption to teaching, learning and operational services.· Oversee contract administration activities, including contract registers, renewal timelines, warranty obligations, service-level tracking, variation documentation, supplier correspondence and escalation of contractual risks.· Support negotiation of commercial terms, pricing, delivery schedules, service levels, warranties, penalties and contractual protections in coordination with Finance, Legal and relevant business owners.· Maintain accurate procurement records, tender files, evaluation reports, approvals, supplier documentation, purchase orders, contract records and audit evidence.· Identify procurement risks, conflicts of interest, supplier dependency, single-source concerns, delivery delays, cost variances and policy deviations, and escalate matters with recommended mitigation actions.· Develop procurement KPIs, dashboards, spend analysis, savings tracking, supplier performance reports and compliance updates for leadership review and decision-making.· Lead procurement process improvement initiatives, including standard templates, servi