Commodity Manager – Democratic Republic of Congo At Catholic Relief Services

This post is contingent on donor funding and donor approval of the candidate.

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.

Job Summary:

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is one of the most populous, vast and resource rich countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Decades of conflict and other challenges over the past decades have left the Congo with 73% of its population living under the internationally recognized poverty rate of $1.90 per day and 43% of children are malnourished due to inadequate social and health services. Given its fragility and weak institutions, the country is susceptible to health crises, including recent outbreaks of Ebola, measles, cholera and potentially COVID-19.

CRS has operated in the DRC since 1961, successfully implementing programs in nutrition, agriculture livelihoods, emergency, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), health, microfinance, and peacebuilding throughout the country. CRS/DRC currently has around 190 staff operating out of 5 offices in Kinshasa, Goma (North Kivu), Kananga (Kasai Central), Mbuji Mayi (Kasai Oriental), and Kalemie (Tanganyika).

You will provide leadership, guidance, and support on supply chain management and private sector engagement (PSE) and partnership for the DRC RFSA team in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. You will be the focal point for strategic collaboration with private sector actors to create sustainable outcomes utilizing USAID commodities as a critical component of the RFSA design. The position plays a critical role in the management of receipt, utilization, and monitoring of the USAID commodities. You will plan, manage, and provide technical and operational oversight of all supply chain activities – including procurement, logistics, transportation, and warehousing – of an anticipated Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) to ensure effective and efficient delivery of goods and services to the poor and vulnerable. Your knowledge and experience will allow you to anticipate and manage supply chain needs and challenges, and introduce improvement solutions, as you apply the principles of stewardship, integrity, transparency, and accountability.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

  • Collaborate with direct reports and programming leads to strengthen the pipeline and supply chain management plan. 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.
  • Ensure accountability and transparency of all supply chain operations in compliance with CRS and donor regulations, and international and local standards and requirements.
  • Manage private sector relationships across project sectors, including negotiations for commodity collaborations, private sector contributions and facilitating RFSA support;
  • Support the effective co-creation, startup, and implementation of commodity-related PSE-related activities across sectors;
  • Coordinate with operations colleagues to ensure effective and timely management of Title II commodities from the call forward to final transfer.
  • Manage relationships, coordinate activities, and ensure private sector partners receiving Title II commodities are in compliance with USAID reporting and management policies
  • Help define targets and implement data collection systems with private sector partners, and monitor progress towards development and business objectives to inform collaboration, learning, and adapting (SLA);
  • Ensure timely reporting of PSE achievements quarterly, annually, and in the final reports, as appropriate;
  • 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.
  • Lead design and implementation of a strategic sourcing and procurement process to identify, assess, select and contract suppliers that will deliver the maximum value for money to the organization. In close coordination with the procurement team oversee relationships with key suppliers and assess supplier performance.
  • Manage logistical infrastructure, storage facilities and transportation resources. 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.
  • Manage risks including fraud and corruption and ensure accountability throughout the supply chain.
  • Oversee inventory control and the management of comprehensive goods tracking and record keeping systems throughout the whole supply chain cycle, from time of request until time of delivery. 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, which includes cross-departmental learning.

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain or other relevant degree required.
  • Five years related field experience and minimum of seven years of work experience in supply chain/logistics/procurement management with progressive responsibilities. Experience with Title II commodities is highly desired.
  • Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
  • Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio) and information management systems. Experience with ERP systems is a plus.

Required Languages– French fluency and professional proficiency in English is required. Proficiency in Congolese local languages is desired.

Travel– Position will be based in DR Congo. Must be willing and able to travel up to 30% to project areas.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Excellent planning, coordination, prioritization, and time management skills
  • Excellent 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
  • Ability to work collaboratively

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master’s Degree in Supply Chain, other relevant Master’s strongly, or equivalent experience strongly preferred. Professional certification(s) in supply chain a plus.
  • Knowledge of and experience with US Government and USAID regulations. Understanding of the Federal Acquisitions Regulations (FAR), WHO regulations and Generally Accepted Commodity Accountability Principles (GACAP).
  • Knowledge of national and international import/export legislation and common customs regulations.
  • Experience managing food commodity supply chains successfully, including maintaining commodity quality and safety, management of warehouses and transportation, monitoring, and reporting.
  • Experience with program monitoring and evaluation, including applying data collection tools and methodologies, data analysis, and data presentation.
  • Experience and skills in networking and relations with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based and civil society partners. Understanding of partnership principles.

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 (if none, state none): Relevant project supply chain, procurement, and/or logistics staff.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Chief of Party, Program Managers, Head of Office, Deputy Country Representative for Operations, project operations staff, Finance Manager, Regional Technical Advisors and Leadership.

External: Suppliers, partner INGOs and local NGOs, peer agencies.

***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

How to apply

To apply please visit: https://eipn.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/3000418/?utm_medium=jobshare

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