Procurement Officer

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to provide assistance to those in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries worldwide, focusing on various areas such as emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization is committed to serving individuals without regard to race, religion, or nationality, and actively seeks to include people of all faiths and secular traditions who share its values. CRS has a strong commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, ensuring that its processes and policies reflect this dedication. The agency employs a diverse workforce and encourages candidates from the regions in which it operates to apply, emphasizing its role in promoting ethical conduct and accountability within its operations.

Job Overview:
The Procurement Officer will play a critical role in coordinating local procurement activities and processes to acquire goods and services that support high-quality programming for the poor and vulnerable populations. This position requires a strong understanding of procurement systems and the ability to ensure compliance with CRS procurement principles, donor regulations, and local statutory requirements. The officer will be responsible for assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of procurement processes and recommending improvements. The role involves collaboration with various departments to maintain an up-to-date procurement plan that outlines all necessary quantities, quality, and delivery requirements for goods and services. The Procurement Officer will also provide pricing information to assist budget holders in preparing budgets and will coordinate sourcing processes to ensure the best value for money. Key activities include conducting market assessments, price monitoring, supplier evaluation, facilitating transparent bidding processes, and ensuring the quality and availability of goods. The officer will maintain communication with suppliers and vendors to ensure compliance with contractual terms and will monitor supplier performance, addressing any issues that arise. Additionally, the officer will be accountable for maintaining accurate documentation of all procurement processes to ensure transparency and accountability within the department.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate procurement activities to ensure compliance with CRS procurement principles and donor regulations.
• Develop and maintain an up-to-date procurement plan in collaboration with various departments.
• Conduct market assessments and price monitoring to inform sourcing decisions.
• Define supplier evaluation criteria and facilitate transparent bidding and vendor selection processes.
• Assess the quality and availability of goods and negotiate contracts and purchase orders.
• Communicate with procurement staff and program units to track the delivery and receipt of goods and services.
• Collect information to confirm that delivered goods/services meet the required specifications.
• Maintain correspondence with suppliers and vendors to follow up on contractual obligations.
• Monitor supplier performance and report on any issues or inefficiencies. 1
• Ensure a complete and accurate document trail of all procurement processes and maintain vendor files. 1
• Prepare reports and facilitate document retrieval as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or a relevant field.
• Minimum of 3 years of work experience in procurement or purchasing management, logistics, or administration, preferably with an international organization.
• Strong knowledge of donor procurement regulations (e.g., USG, EU, UN) and local market conditions.
• Familiarity with contract terms and the ability to complete purchase orders against specifications.
• Knowledge of the supply chain in Albay and Catanduanes, as well as in Regions 2-3, is preferred.
• Proficient in MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and experience with database management systems (e.g., MS Access) is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field is required for this position. This educational background provides the foundational knowledge necessary for understanding procurement processes, regulations, and management principles that are essential for the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience in procurement, purchasing management, logistics, or administration. Experience with international organizations is preferred, as it provides insight into the complexities of procurement in a global context and familiarity with various donor regulations.

Languages:
The mandatory languages for this position are Tagalog and English. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication with local suppliers, vendors, and internal teams. Familiarity with the local market environment is also preferred, which may enhance the candidate's ability to navigate procurement challenges effectively.

Additional Notes:
This position may require travel, with a willingness to travel up to 30% of the time. The role does not have supervisory responsibilities but involves key working relationships with various internal and external stakeholders, including program managers, finance departments, and local government units. The position is contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work in the Philippines, and candidates from the regions where CRS operates are prioritized. CRS is committed to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly children and vulnerable adults, and the successful candidate will be expected to adhere to the organization's Code of Conduct.