The vacancy is open to Internal and External candidates.

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.

Job Summary:

You will manage all Country Program systems and processes for local and international procurement of goods and services to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. Your knowledge and experience will allow you to successfully manage the quality and efficiency of all procurement and purchasing activities and to ensure stewardship, integrity, transparency, and accountability.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Manage fully compliant procurement systems and operating procedures and organize the procurement functions. Assess effectiveness and efficiency and lead improvements. Ensure compliance with CRS procurement principles, standards, and policies; donor regulations; and local statutory requirements.
• Coordinate with various departments to proactively assist with goods/services flow analysis and determine the appropriate supply chain modality, needs and quantity, quality and delivery requirements for goods, services and cash and voucher assistance (CVA). Maintain an up-to-date procurement plan. Collaborate with budget holders to develop annual budget plans that meet procurement needs.
• Manage and control the analyze-to-contract process with strategic sourcing solutions to ensure the best value for money. Key activities include market assessment and price monitoring, writing goods/services specifications, defining supplier evaluation criteria, organizing solicitation documents, running transparent and consistent bidding and vendor selection processes, preparation of contracts, etc.
• Ensure the highest level of transparency and integrity in the procurement department and prevent fraud along the procurement process. Conduct periodic risk assessments along the procurement process.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise. 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.
• Oversee and monitor relationships and transactions with suppliers and voucher vendors, supplier performance, and contractual obligations to ensure contract completion per authorized terms and conditions. Take action to address current and/or potential contractual issues and/or inefficiencies to mitigate risk. Advise on contract/purchase order modifications, if needed.
• Monitor payment terms and schedules through maintenance of open order reports and oversee coordination with the finance team to ensure timely payments to vendors.
• Manage a reliable procurement document trail and database management system for control, accountability, and input for proper inventory recording. Ensure all required information and records are complete, accurate, up-to-date, and properly filed. Oversee reports preparation, consolidate reporting and analyze data for decision-making.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business administration or other relevant field preferred. Professional certification in procurement is a plus.
• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in procurement/purchasing management, logistics, and administration with increasing responsibility, preferably with an international organization.
• Good knowledge of various donor procurement regulations (e.g., USAID, EU, Global Fund, UN)
• Additional education may substitute for some experience.
• Knowledge of international and national procurement regulations and local market conditions.
• Strong knowledge of contract terms and proven ability to negotiate terms and agreements and build and maintain networks with suppliers.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.

Required Languages – Strong written and spoken English.

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 15%.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong planning, coordination, prioritization, and time management skills
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to make independent judgments and decisions.
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented
• Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Good knowledge of and experience in CVA programming and operational requirements.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). Experience with database management systems (e.g. MS Access) is highly desirable.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviours and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and are used by each staff member to fulfil his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually look for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Procurement Officer

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Country Manager, operations and program staff; Regional/HQ Technical team; other Technical Advisors from the WARO, based on the needs

External: Partners, Vendors, Donors and government etc.

Applications:

To apply for this position, please click on the Link to submit an online application by 15^th June 2023.

We thank all applicants for their interest in this opportunity; however, if you didn’t hear from us after two months of the vacancy deadline, kindly note that your application was not shortlisted.

Please note that only those shortlisted for interviews will be contacted.

CRS follows an equal opportunity policy and actively encourages diversity welcoming applications from all especially women and people living with a disability.

***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.

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

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

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer