Job Vacancies at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Reports to: Head of Operations

Job Summary:

You will provide support to the following operational functions, including direct supervision of one or more senior staff heading the following functions: Supply Chain, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and Administration in support of the CRS’ mission to serve the poor and vulnerable. You will promote stewardship of resources, help ensure principled compliance, proactively identify risk issues, and under supervision lead operational improvements.  

Roles and Key Responsibilities: 

• Contribute to the CP strategic planning and programming by providing input on needed investments in operations capacity – systems, processes and staffing – that meet CRS’ standards, donor requirements, and local regulations and support high-quality programming.
• Lead and manage operations staff in ensuring systems, processes and staffing meet CRS’ standards, donor requirements, and local regulations and support high-quality programming. Collaborate with programming leads to ensure appropriate project supply chain planning in line with financial plans and proper stewardship of material sources.
• Coordinate and monitor day-to-day operations to ensure supply chain services are delivered with high-quality in an efficient manner. Identify and help address challenges that affect the proper stewardship, mobilization and optimal utilization of program assets and resources (financial, human, and material). Proactively manage security and mitigate security risks.
• 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.
• Contribute to effective staffing of CP needs and adherence to HR systems, policies and practices that support a high-performance culture, staff development and retention. Help assure quality personnel administration and a work environment that truly reflects the agency’s guiding principles.
• Oversee compliance with agency and donor requirements and local laws and regulations through periodic systems checks, review and assessment of CP’s operations policies and procedures. Act as lead contact and responder to issues that emerge from internal and external audits and provide recommendations and guidance to implement improvements. Support on fraud allegation management in coordination with Ethics Unit.
• Help maintain the proper conditions for learning – a safe environment for the sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to small deficiencies. Identify capacity strengthening needs and provide guidance for project teams and partners, which includes cross-departmental learning.
• Ensure that safeguarding, protection, and gender equity are consistently and intentionally streamlined into all program activities, including staff recruitment and training.
• Ensure timely, efficient, and effective operations support to Somalia office and program

Required Languages – English. 

 Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 50%, including visits to Somalia

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none): Direct supervision of ICT Manager, Admin Manager and Warehouse Officer

 Key Working Relationships: 

Internal: Head of Operations, Country Finance Manager, Country Human Resources Manager, Country Information and Communication Technology Manager, Supply Chain Insight Advisor, Security Manager, Risk and Compliance Manager, Admin Manager and regional operational leadership and advisors.

External: Logistics Cluster, vendors, and national, state, and local authorities

Basic Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or other relevant field. Masters preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years work experience in finance, human resources, logistics, or administration officer/support level position with progressive responsibilities.
• Additional education may substitute for some experience; additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities  

• Good strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
• Good relations management abilities. Ability to work collaboratively.
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.
• Demonstrated capacity to live and work in remote and insecure field locations with basic amenities, few or no other international staff, and adhere to a strict curfew and movement restrictions.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Management experience a plus. Experience with an NGO preferred.
• Understanding of supply chain systems, including procurement, logistics and warehouse management experience preferred.
• Knowledge of multiple public donors’ regulations, including USAID, WFP and EU, a plus.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment a preferred.

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 

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

What we offer:

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

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Reports To: Deputy Head of Operations

Job Summary:

To process 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.

Job 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 needs and quantity, quality and delivery requirements for goods and services and 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: market research and analysis, goods/services specifications and supplier evaluation criteria, solicitation documents, a transparent and consistent bidding process, etc. Prepare contracts
• Ensure the highest level of transparency and integrity amongst the procurement department and prevent fraud along the procurement process. Conduct periodic risk assessment 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, 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 report 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.
• Ensure timely, effective and efficient procurement support to Somalia program

Required/Desired Foreign Language: Fluent in English 

Travel Required: Must be willing and able to travel up to 25 %, including visits to Somalia

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: Procurement officers / assistants

Internal: Deputy HoOPS, Finance staff and Administration staff, HR Staff, Program staff

External: Vendors, auditors, Suppliers, Customs Official, Transporters, Peer agencies

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in procurement, /purchasing management, logistics, business administration or related field required. Master’s Degree would be an added advantage. Professional certifications a plus.
• Minimum of 5 years work experience in procurement/purchasing management, logistics, administration with increasing responsibility, preferably with an international organization.
• Good knowledge of various donor procurement regulations (e.g. USAID, EU, UN)
• 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.
• Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). Experience with database management systems (e.g. MS Access) highly desirable.

Personal Skills and abilities

• 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-oriented and results-oriented
• Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills

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

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

What we offer:

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.