About CRS:

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

Catholic Relief Services has been working in Liberia since 1957 with current programmatic focus targeting health, nutrition, peacebuilding, and agriculture. CRS Liberia is beginning implementation as Principal Recipient (PR) of a 12-month Malaria and Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH) Grant funded by the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund). CRS will draw on the agency’s global malaria, health systems strengthening and Global Fund expertise to oversee and strengthen vector control, malaria case management, prevention of malaria in pregnancy, health product management systems, health management information systems and M&E, human resources for health (including community health workers), and overall program management.

Job Summary:

As Procurement and Supply Chain Manager, you will lead all activities related to the procurement and supply management (PSM) of health products and PSM-related health system strengthening (HSS) under the Global Fund Malaria/RSSH grant. You will plan, manage, and provide technical and operational oversight of all supply chain activities including product selection, forecasting/quantification, procurement, quality assurance, Logistic Management Information Systems (LMIS), inventory management, distribution, storage, and waste management. Your knowledge and experience will allow you to successfully manage the quality and efficiency of all procurement and purchasing activities; anticipate and manage supply chain needs and challenges; and introduce improvement solutions, as you apply the principles of stewardship, integrity, transparency, and accountability.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with direct reports, Malaria/RSSH Grant leadership and national stakeholders and working groups to develop and strengthen the pipeline and supply chain management plan covering all Global Fund resources, including those administered by CRS, MoH and partners. Manage the determination of procurement and logistics service requirements, desired specifications and delivery schedules, and how sourcing strategies are defined, ensuring proper coordination and communication.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise teams. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports. Monitor and assess performance to ensure adequate capacity for successful support of high-quality programming.
• Work closely with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), including all technical departments involved in health products regulation and quality assurance, and partners involved in supply chain activities to review, document and strengthen all PSM systems procedures and practices. Ensure all HSS and PSM activities are well coordinated and implemented systematically.
• Ensure accountability and transparency of all supply chain operations in compliance with CRS and donor regulations, and international and local standards and requirements. Prevent fraud and conduct periodic risk assessment along the procurement process. Assess effectiveness and efficiency and lead improvements.
• Lead design, validation and implementation of a strategic sourcing and procurement process. Manage and control the analyze-to-contract process to ensure the best value for money, market research and analysis, goods/services specifications and supplier evaluation criteria, solicitation documents and a transparent and consistent bidding process.
• Review and validate technical specifications for all procurement of pharmaceutical and other health products and equipment with Global Fund resources, paying special attention to World Health Organization (WHO), Global Fund and national regulations, industry standards, competitiveness, transparency, and value for money.
• Oversee and monitor relationships and transactions with suppliers and monitor supplier performance and contractual obligations to ensure contract completion and timely release of payments in coordination with finance. Take action to address current and/or potential contractual issues and/or inefficiencies to mitigate risk. Advise on contract/purchase order modifications, if needed.
• Manage logistical infrastructure, storage facilities and transportation resources, including a comprehensive goods tracking and record keeping system for CRS, partners and MoH. Oversee application of systems and procedures for inventory and commodity transportation, warehousing, and distribution, as well as for vehicle management to ensure proper handling and safeguarding of assets. Ensure related safety and security protocols are implemented. Ensure all required information and records are complete, accurate, up-to-date, and properly filed. Ensure timely preparation and submission of various reports.
• Create and maintain the proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for the sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to small deficiencies. Provide capacity strengthening guidance and technical support to Global Fund Malaria Project staff, MoH and partners in the procurement process for health products and equipment.
• Ensure that gender equity is consistently and intentionally streamlined into all program activities, including staff recruitment and training.
• Champion CRS commitment to safeguarding everyone from harassment, exploitation and abuse through robust systems of prevention and response, as well as our commitment to gender equity.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Pharmacy, other relevant degree or equivalent experience required.
• Minimum of 7 years work experience in supply chain/logistics/procurement with progressive responsibilities, preferably including a track record of successful Global Fund supply chain management.
• Experience with various donor regulations, especially Global Fund. Understanding of WHO regulations and Generally Accepted Commodity Accountability Principles (GACAP).
• Good knowledge of international and national import/export legislation, common customs, and procurement regulations and local market conditions, with a focus on health products.
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of generally accepted commodity accounting principles and supply chain management and inventory principles.
• Strong knowledge of contract terms and proven ability to negotiate terms and agreements and build and maintain networks with suppliers.
• Demonstrate experiences in building capacity of national entities in the area of procurement and supply chain management of health products

Required Languages: English.

Travel: Must be willing and able to spend up to 50% of time.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Significant experience in establishing and strengthening procurement and supply chain system including planning, internal controls, recruitment, training and partnership management in conflict and resource poor settings.
• Strong planning, coordination, prioritization, and time management skills.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to make independent judgment and decisions.
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions- and results-oriented.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills.
• Experience and skill in implementing matrix management and remote management supervision for field teams and partners.
• Demonstrated capacity to live and work in remote and insecure field locations with basic amenities and few or no other international staff and adhere a strict curfew and movement restrictions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Pharmacy or another relevant field, or equivalent experience strongly preferred. Professional certification(s) is a plus.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience, which includes international experience in procurement and supply chain management of health products
• Extensive experience in overseeing port operations, transit warehousing, marine surveying, clearing and inland transportation and distribution systems for Global Fund commodities.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Experience coordinating and sharing program staff, facilities, and resources with multiple projects and teams working in the same location.
• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy a plus.
• Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) and database management systems (e.g. MS Access) highly desirable.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

Supervisory Responsibilities: Logisticians and Supply Chain staff

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Global Fund Malaria Project staff (Chief of Party I, Technical Advisor II – Malaria, Technical Advisor II – MEAL and Finance Manager), Country Deputy Finance Manager, Country Operations Manager, Country HR Lead, programs, and operations management teams, Global Fund Support Unit, and regional and HQ PSM technical advisors.

External: National and local MoH, NMCP, the Liberia Coordinating Mechanism (LCM), Global Fund Country Team, Local Fund Agent (LFA), partners, other Global Fund Principal Recipients in Liberia, Malaria/RSSH Sub Recipients, health consortia and local government authorities.

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please submit your application to: LR_HR@crs.org or apply through the system below.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.