Roving Supply Chain Advisor – Field Support

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to provide relief and development assistance, CRS operates in more than 100 countries worldwide. The organization is dedicated to saving, protecting, and transforming lives in need, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. CRS focuses on various areas including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The agency is committed to a collaborative, mission-driven culture that emphasizes improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable. CRS has a strong commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and it welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds who share its values and commitment to service.

Job Overview:
The Roving Supply Chain Advisor plays a crucial role in providing expert advice, guidance, and support for all Supply Chain Management (SCM) activities and initiatives. This position involves both country-specific support deployments and participation in global initiatives aimed at enhancing SCM systems. The advisor will work closely with various country programs, engaging in regular field travel, and collaborating with the Global Supply Chain Management (GSCM) team to ensure alignment between regional operations and global strategies. The role requires a strong technical background in SCM to ensure effective and efficient systems that uphold principles of stewardship, integrity, transparency, and accountability. The advisor will also contribute to the development of agency-wide strategies and best practices in supply chain management, ensuring that all operations meet programming needs and donor requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strategic Input and Engagement: Support the development and implementation of agency-wide strategies, standards, tools, and best practices in supply chain management. Provide input on supply chain aspects of proposal development and contribute to the creation of SCM Plans, Commodity Calculators, and Procurement Plans. Represent CRS at regional planning and coordination meetings and build relationships with donors and stakeholders.
• Supply Chain Operations: Support country programs through regular deployments as Acting Supply Chain Manager or similar roles. Collaborate with country operations and programming leads to strengthen supply chain systems and ensure compliance with donor requirements. Promote the effective use of ERP systems for supply chain operations and drive continuous improvement through performance metrics.
• Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing: Contribute to knowledge management by sharing ideas and solutions, and help develop training strategies and workshops to strengthen capacity within the assigned region.
• Compliance and Risk Management: Assist countries in addressing audit findings and implementing corrective actions, ensuring compliance with donor regulations and international standards.

Required Qualifications:

• Proficient in MS Office and information management systems.
• Strong knowledge of procurement policies, international import/export legislation, and customs regulations.
• Understanding of Generally Accepted Commodity Accountability Principles (GACAP).
• Technical expertise in warehouse operations and inventory control, including FIFO/FEFO standards, cycle counting, and stock reconciliation.
• Experience in mentoring and training staff using adult learning principles.
• Strong relationship management skills and ability to influence others without direct supervision.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly in a remote working environment.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field is required. A Master’s degree in a similar field is preferred, along with professional certifications such as CIPS or APICS.

Experience:
A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in international supply chain, logistics, or procurement is required. Experience with ERP systems, particularly Oracle, is preferred. Candidates with experience managing large-scale donor programs, such as Global Fund or USG food aid, will be given preference.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required, with fluency in Arabic strongly preferred. Knowledge of French or Spanish is desirable but not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is a global remote role, with a preference for candidates based in countries where CRS has a legal presence. The role may require travel up to 50%. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a retirement savings plan. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits packages will be based on the country of employment. The anticipated duration of the assignment for expatriates will be informed by a term limit based on job type and agency needs. CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS operates.