Ousmane Fomba, assistant management support director

From a stint at Disneyland Paris to INED, Ousmane Fomba recounts his experience in the private sector and his motivations for joining the public service sector. 

What path led you to INED?

A fairly logical, continuous path in connection with my training in purchasing and organization management. I initially trained in logistics and transportation, then specialized, doing an MBA in purchasing management. These studies provided me with solid skills, both technical and strategic, which I then put into practice in different jobs, including with Colas Rail, where I was involved in overhead line system purchasing projects; and Disneyland Paris, where I was more engaged in stock performance and management. 

These job experiences, in very different work environments, gave me a broad overview of what’s involved in the purchasing function. And with those skills I joined INED as a public-sector purchaser. I wanted to discover the public sector and its specificities, namely in connection with public purchasing in the general interest. For nearly a year I was in charge of obtaining public purchasing contracts and contract monitoring; then in September 2025 I moved into a new position, becoming assistant director for purchasing in the management support service (SAP).

What is your role at INED?

In my new position as assistant director at SAP, my role has grown broader and is structured around several areas. First and foremost, I ensure that purchasing goes smoothly at the Institute. This involves continuous piloting as well as improving the existing process, developing new tracking tools and performance indicators, and ensuring compliance with public contract award procedures. 

I also intervene to support teams, helping them formulate their needs, and work with purchasing advisors to carry out purchases. One important component of my job is collective: I help manage the service, and I participate in activity reports and diffusion of best practices. Last, I take part in more general discussions of management and internal oversight. This is what gives my job its transversal, strategic aspect. 

As you see it, what’s specific about INED? And what do you like most about being at the Institute?

What makes INED unique for me is its position at the intersection of research and public action. People here are working in the service of knowledge about important social subjects, and that gives meaning to what we do on a daily basis. Even working in a support service, you’re aware that ensuring secure purchasing contributes to understanding the big issues in society. In this connection, I’ve discovered a new purchasing typology: survey markets and contracts. I didn’t know about that before, and I find it particularly interesting because it gives me an opportunity to follow the process of producing scientific data in practical terms. 

What I appreciate most at INED is the human, collaborative environment. SAP is in contact with all the other services, and that gives you a fairly global vision of this institution. Also, the workplace environment—especially being on Campus Condorcet—is really pleasant and motivating on a daily basis.