Procurement Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is CRS (Catholic Relief Services), which is a well-established humanitarian organization dedicated to alleviating suffering and providing assistance to those in need around the world. CRS was founded in 1943 and has since grown to operate in over 100 countries, employing thousands of staff members who are committed to the mission of helping vulnerable populations. The organization focuses on various sectors, including emergency response, health, education, and economic development, and adheres to high standards of accountability and transparency in its operations.

Job Overview:
The Procurement Specialist plays a crucial role in supporting humanitarian emergency and rapid response operations by managing procurement activities that are essential for obtaining goods and services for global and country programs. This position requires the specialist to work within established procedures and under guidance, ensuring compliance with CRS procurement principles, donor regulations, and humanitarian standards. The role is particularly focused on time-sensitive procurement in high-risk operating environments, contributing to efficient, transparent, and well-documented procurement processes that ultimately enable life-saving assistance for vulnerable populations. The specialist will be responsible for executing end-to-end procurement processes under tight timelines, which includes cost estimates, solicitation documents, and the facilitation of the bidding process. The position also involves maintaining active communication with suppliers and internal stakeholders to ensure that contractual terms are met and that any performance or delivery issues are addressed promptly. Overall, the Procurement Specialist is expected to support emergency response teams effectively and contribute to the organization's mission of providing humanitarian assistance.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Procurement Specialist include completing fully compliant tactical procurements in humanitarian and emergency response contexts. The specialist must ensure compliance with CRS procurement principles, standards, policies, donor regulations, and applicable local statutory requirements while balancing speed, risk, and value for money. The role involves supporting emergency budget holders and response teams by providing timely market and pricing information to inform rapid response planning and budget preparation. The specialist will execute end-to-end procurement processes, including cost estimates, solicitation documents, bidding process facilitation, negotiations, and preparation of purchase orders, contracts, and related documentation for emergency goods and services. Coordination with procurement colleagues, emergency response teams, logistics, finance, and program staff is essential to track procurement actions, delivery timelines, and receipt of goods and services. The specialist must collect and verify documentation to confirm that goods and services delivered meet technical specifications, quality standards, delivery timelines, and contracted costs, particularly in emergency response situations. Maintaining accurate and up-to-date procurement documentation for emergency procurement actions is crucial for supporting transparency and audit readiness. The specialist will also compile basic reports and coordinate document retrieval requests to support compliance, donor, and audit requirements, as well as enter, maintain, and update procurement data in Insight to ensure accurate tracking, reporting, and audit readiness. Additionally, the specialist is expected to contribute to procurement learning and knowledge-sharing by documenting lessons learned from emergency procurement activities and providing basic information and guidance on emergency procurement procedures, market conditions, and risk mitigation approaches.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Procurement Specialist position include a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Supply Chain Management, or another relevant field. Candidates must have a minimum of 3 years of work experience in non-profit or public procurement/purchasing management, preferably in support of humanitarian or emergency response operations. Experience with an international organization is preferred. Professional certification in procurement or supply chain management is a plus, and experience with database or ERP systems is highly desirable. Knowledge of donor procurement regulations, particularly in emergency or rapid response contexts, is essential, as well as knowledge of international and national procurement regulations, emergency procurement approaches, and local market conditions in challenging or fragile environments.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Procurement Specialist position includes a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of procurement processes and the specific requirements associated with humanitarian and emergency response operations.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for the Procurement Specialist position is a minimum of 3 years of work experience in non-profit or public procurement/purchasing management. This experience should preferably include supporting humanitarian or emergency response operations, as the role requires a deep understanding of the unique challenges and requirements associated with procurement in these contexts. Experience with an international organization is also preferred, as it provides valuable insights into global procurement practices and standards.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for the Procurement Specialist position is proficiency in English. Additionally, knowledge of French, Spanish, and/or Arabic is highly desirable, as these languages can enhance communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders in various operational contexts.

Additional Notes:
This position is remote, allowing for flexibility in work location. The role does not have supervisory responsibilities, but the specialist must be willing and able to travel up to 25%, including to fragile or emergency response contexts. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. For successful candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits and salary packages are based on the country of employment or the in-country office where the candidate will perform the role. CRS fosters a collaborative, mission-driven work culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.