Advisor II, Inventory & Logistics Advisor

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to serve those in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries around the world. The organization is dedicated to saving, protecting, and transforming lives, focusing on various areas such as emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS is committed to a collaborative, mission-driven culture that values diversity and inclusivity, welcoming individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values. The agency emphasizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, reflecting its commitment to ethical practices and community welfare. With a workforce that spans multiple countries, CRS aims to build capacity and improve the lives of the poor globally, ensuring that its operations align with its guiding principles and mission.

Job Overview:
The Advisor II, Inventory & Logistics Advisor plays a crucial role in providing technical and operational support across inventory, logistics, and transportation functions, particularly focusing on U.S. Government (USG) food aid and other donor-funded commodities. This position is integral to supporting country program supply chain teams in executing compliant shipment, inventory, and logistics processes. The Advisor will contribute to the effective day-to-day functioning of supply chain operations, ensuring that country program supply chain staff and regional advisors can execute their roles efficiently and effectively. The position requires a proactive approach to continuous improvement of global supply chain practices, ensuring compliance with donor regulations and enhancing operational efficiency. The Advisor will also be involved in capacity building and knowledge sharing initiatives, fostering a culture of learning and improvement within the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The primary duties and responsibilities of the Advisor II include managing daily operations with freight forwarders, which encompasses bookings, tracking, and delivery monitoring. The Advisor will support country programs with pipeline planning, call forwards, shipment tracking, and donor reporting. Additionally, they will monitor shipment performance, resolve freight and carrier issues, and escalate risks or delays as necessary. The role involves managing freight documents, claims, penalties, and loss recovery in accordance with donor and commercial requirements. The Advisor will also monitor freight costs, budgets, and obligations, supporting shipment coordination for both food and non-food commodities. Furthermore, the Advisor will provide technical guidance on inventory, logistics, and transportation to country programs and regional advisors, contributing to the development and revision of supply chain processes, tools, and guidance. They will analyze supply chain data, audits, and ERP inventory data to identify gaps, risks, and opportunities for improvement. The Advisor will serve as a global point of contact for transportation and fleet management, providing surge and start-up support to country and regional supply chain teams as needed. They will also review inventory, logistics, and transportation sections in proposals, supporting planning and problem analysis workshops. Lastly, the Advisor will support capacity strengthening through training, mentoring, workshops, and knowledge-sharing initiatives, contributing to knowledge management and learning by documenting lessons learned and best practices.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, information systems, business administration, or a related field. Candidates must have at least eight years of field experience in providing guidance on the storage, transportation, and distribution of food assistance, non-food items, or health products within emergency or development settings in developing countries. Experience with international non-profit organizations or comparable entities is preferred. Additionally, candidates should have experience managing and advising on operations of diverse size, complexity, and scope, as well as experience with ERP systems. Preferred qualifications include a Master’s degree in supply chain management, information systems, business administration, international development, or equivalent work experience.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as supply chain management, information systems, business administration, or a related discipline. A Master’s degree in a similar field is preferred and may enhance the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The role requires a minimum of eight years of relevant field experience, particularly in providing guidance on logistics and supply chain management in emergency or development settings. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing complex operations and advising on logistics processes, ideally within international non-profit organizations or similar entities.

Languages:
English is a mandatory requirement for this position. Additionally, professional proficiency in Arabic, French, or Spanish is preferred, which would enhance communication and operational effectiveness in diverse contexts.

Additional Notes:
This position does not have supervisory responsibilities. The role may require international travel up to 25%, including travel in challenging operating contexts. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. Salary and benefits for candidates employed outside the U.S. will be based on the country of employment. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants and community members from all forms of exploitation and abuse, and successful candidates are expected to adhere to the agency's Code of Conduct.