Senior Advisor, Supply Chain Management and Safety and Security Job vacancy at CRC Apply by 8 June 2017

 

Senior Advisor, Supply Chain Management and Safety and Security

• Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
• Eastern Africa
• Apply by 8 June 2017

• Mid-level , Full-time staff position

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Advisor, Supply Chain Management and Safety and Security
Location: East Africa Region (EARO)
Department: Operations/East Africa Regional Office
Band: E
FLSA: Exempt
Reports to: Deputy Regional Director for Management Quality (DRD/MQ)


About CRS: Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

Job Summary: As the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States, Catholic Relief Services eases suffering and provides vital assistance to the poorest and most vulnerable people around the world. In 2016, CRS had a total budget more than USD 900 million, of which a significant portion is in the form of in-kind assistance, either procured by CRS or
directly donated. CRS uses a large portion of its funding to procure internationally, ship, store and distribute food, medical supplies or other bulk items through complex supply chains, in collaboration with commercial actors. CRS also works with local markets through local procurement and distribution, or local demand subsidies in the form of cash or vouchers.

The CRS/EARO region, is comprised of 6 Country programs (CPs) – Ethiopia-Somalia, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda; EARO has a total FY17 budgeted program value of $178 million. The CP are recipients of funding from diverse donors both as prime and sub awardees, with several large USG-funded awards. Three of the programs have extensive Title II and WFP commodity resources (Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan) with consortium mechanisms and complex supply chains to manage While several EARO countries are among the most stable in Africa, others are entangled in violent conflict and political instability consequently impacting the stability and security of the region. The Republic of South Sudan and Somalia
continue to face considerable conflict and civil war. Increasingly, pockets of unrest have been breaking out in certain parts of Ethiopia.

The Senior Advisor will provide both Supply Chain Management (SCM) and Safety and Security technical solutions to the EARO region and country programs for strategic planning, program design and development in the SCM and Safety and Security areas, and design of monitoring and evaluation systems. Leads the development of agency standards and strategies for both SCM and Safety and Security and guides regions on their implementation. Collaborates with relevant international development, donor and research institutions through relationship building, information sharing representation and advocacy. Coordinates the development of agency-wide sectoral strategies.

Job Responsibilities

SCM Operational Leadership:
• Provide technical leadership and coordination to EARO CP teams involved in program interacting with large SCM components as follows:
• Provide leadership of USG grants’ food commodity management and compliance teams in EARO CPs, fostering peer-to-peer coaching and transition towards CPs higher self-reliance in USG food aid commodity management, ensuring close communication with the Global SCM team.
• Provide leadership in the CP management of non-food items (NFI’s), and rolling out the soon to be released Inventoriable Good Policy.
• Provide international, Regional and local food commodity markets intelligence, expertise, as well as strategic and technical input to all EARO CPs in the development and management of all market-based food aid programming.
• In close collaboration with the EARO DRD/MQ other EARO TAs and CP Operations and Procurement staff, lead EARO CPs procurement processes, from annual and periodical planning, development and/or review of large solicitation documents and purchase contracts; as well as suppliers’ performance monitoring.
• Lead regular EARO SCM COP meetings.

Security Operational Leadership:
• Provide technical leadership and coordination to EARO CP teams to ensure that appropriate security systems and procedures are in place and are fully operational.
• Lead and conduct security trainings in EAR CP’s; coordinate closely with the EARO security COP meetings.
• Provide international, Regional and local security intelligence, expertise, as well as strategic and technical input to all EARO CPs in the development and management of all Safety and Security Plans.
• Improve and drive the threat assessment and risk analysis process.
• Develop information systems to provide analysis of potential threats to CRS programs.
• In close collaboration with the EARO DRD/MQ and DRD/PQ and other EARO Technical Advisors (TAs) assist the EARO CP’s in developing appropriate Safety and security plans for program design.

Technical Assistance:
• Provide technical leadership to EARO CPs in the development and implementation of program goods’ procurement and supply chain management. Specific focus will be on assisting CP with food aid programs (USAID Title II, DFID)) in the development and operational implementation of their needs estimates (AER, commodity calculators), procurement (pipelines, calls forward), supply (shipping tracking, inland transport), storage, distribution and reporting.
• Provide technical assistance to all EARO CPs in the procurement of general goods and services, including but not limited to the adherence to procurement policies and best practices, development or standardization of
procurement plans, standardization and ongoing technical review of all solicitation documents and commitments requiring regional review and approval.
• Participates in the development of agency standards and strategy for Supply Chain Management and oversees implementation in region.
• Liaise with other members of the CRS global security community for additional sources of technical or training assistance, best practices learning, etc., and security staff from peer agencies.
• Provide training and technical assistance to EARO CPs on security management decisions and processes, including supporting security threat assessments and risk reduction workshops.
• Advise RD and DRD/MQ or designate on EARO-level security management decisions, policies and practices, monitor open sources and cultivate personal sources of information, news and analysis around safety and security trends in the region; share relevant informational items with RD, DRDs, other regional managers, CRs, Field Office Directors, and the HQ Safety and Security Director.
• Review, improve and adjust CRS staff tracking systems as necessary and monitor staff compliance.
• Carry out regular threat and vulnerability assessments, and amend working procedures accordingly. Ensure that all staffs are aware of any changes in the security situation.
• Monitor CRS safety portal to ensure Country Programs SoP, constant companions and other relevant documents are updated and uploaded as changes are made.
• Interface with country-level security committees, staff and key contacts from other agencies to update FSPs. Carry out regular assessments to review and monitor compliance. Conduct initial security assessments before the opening of new CRS offices/programs and assignment of staff to a country.

Systems, Organizational Development and Staff Capacity-Strengthening:
• Support CPs in the recruitment and development of Managers involved in commodity markets, SCM and Staff safety and Security.
• Maintain and facilitate virtual regional Community of Practices (CoPs) for supply chain management and country level security point persons. Organizing and participating in relevant learning events for relevant staff.
• Support the development as well as effective and efficient use of SCM and market information systems by CP staff, and ensure quality, reliability, relevance and timeliness of SCM information.
• Provides technical advice and training to country programs and regions on projects, strategic planning, and other technical issues, and design of monitoring and evaluation systems.
• Assist CPs in the definition of roles and responsibilities for SCM staff and Security for organizational/departmental efficiency and staff performance accountability.

Resources/Growth:
• Participate in the development or review of project proposals which include procurement and distribution of large quantity items, focusing primarily on major programs/major donors, as well as new or strategic initiatives.
• With the DRD/MQ, DRD/PQ, Regional Business Development and Strategy Advisor, and relevant HQ staff, keep abreast of donor policies and opportunities pertaining in particular to food aid, as well as international trade and logistics.

Key Working Relationships:
Internal: EARO Regional Director, EARO Deputy Regional Directors, EARO Country
Representatives; EARO regional technical advisors; HQ Global procurement and SCM departments, HQ Safety and Security Director, ERT Security RTA, and General Services Officer.
External: USAID (in particular regional Food for Peace Office), (in particular Regional Agricultural Attaches), and UN missions (in particular WFP, FAO, WHO, UNICEF), other bilateral, multilateral and international institutions, other funding agencies, international and local partner NGOs, US, local Catholic agencies, US Embassy RSOs within the region; contracted security service providers, security officers of other international NGOs operating in EARO

Qualifications:
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation and advocacy skills. Ability to lead by influence and knowledge, rather than hierarchical authority.
• Ability to transfer knowledge and provide technical assistance, training, within an adult learning framework to CPs.
• Ability to get along with a diverse group of people, provide exceptional customer service while managing multiple priorities.
• Knowledge and appreciation of the Catholic Social Teachings and their application to relief and development work. Adherence to the CRS values-based behaviors.
• Knowledge of international procurement and trading policies and regulations; major donors’ policies, relevant national food and health products management policies and guidelines and other compliance regulations.
• 8 to 15 years of relevant international working experience in an advisory or management role, preferably with five to seven years’ experience working in the field contributing to or managing projects in multiple regions- preferably in East Africa; including Title II commodities and safety and security.
• Formal technical training in security and safety. Preferable to have past management roles with INGOs (Head of Office, Country Manager, etc.) in unsecure environments.
• Previous relevant experience in a regional or complex country advisory role required.
• Knowledge, or ability and willingness to learn CRS management and program tools and frameworks, adhere to all CRS policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of (preferred) – or ability to learn fast and apply - CRS’ commodity accounting systems, tools, policies & procedures.
• PhD or equivalent degree preferred, or Master’s degree in related field with significant overseas experience
• Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or equivalent experience in developing successful proposals for external donor funding.
• Capacity to see the big picture, but with an attention to factual details.
• Persistence to do whatever it takes to provide a finished, professional product.
• Capability of working proactively and independently.
• Receptiveness to constructive criticism and differences of opinion Flexibility, ability to adapt, willingness to compromise, open-mindedness.
• Mental/Physical Requirements: Approximately 50-60% travel, primarily within East African countries, and sometimes in remote areas with minimal amenities; often with short notice.

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.
• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning

Other Competencies:
Understanding the Organization
• Communicate effectively with business representatives and influence senior managers.
• Operate within a matrix organization.
Focusing on Action and Outcomes
• Strong inter-personal and group/team process skills, problem-solving and judgment skills.
• Strong leadership and management skills.
Inspiring Others
• Strong motivation skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to organizational learning and development.
• Excellent communications skills: written, oral, presentation and listening.
Promotes Stewardship of Resources
• Models accountability and transparency in the use of CRS resources.
• Strategizes to increase cost effectiveness and efficiencies in business processes.
Leads Operational Improvements
• Participates in communities of practice to share and implement best practices.
• Collaborates to alleviate bottlenecks in the country program business processes.
• Discerns change necessary to improve program effectiveness and efficiency.
Language Required: Must be fluent in written and spoken English
CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
Equal Opportunity Employer

click here to apply

About the Organization

About CRS:

CRS is a leading international relief and development agency with over 70 years of experience and programs in over 100 countries. CRS is committed to addressing root causes of poverty regardless of race, religion or creed and ensures our values inform our approach to programs, operations and human resource management. CRS is always looking for dedicated professionals who are values led and results driven.