Especialista de Adquisiciones (Hub)

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to respond to the needs of the poor and vulnerable, CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries. The organization operates with a mission to provide relief and development assistance without regard to race, religion, or nationality. CRS engages in various programs including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The organization is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and it welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds who share its values and commitment to serving those in need. With a workforce that spans over 100 countries, CRS emphasizes the importance of integrity, transparency, and accountability in its operations, ensuring that all processes reflect its commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all individuals.

Job Overview:
The position of Especialista de Adquisiciones (Procurement Specialist) is crucial for coordinating local procurement activities and processes to acquire goods and services that support high-quality program implementation aimed at assisting poor and vulnerable populations. The specialist will leverage their knowledge and experience to ensure the quality and efficiency of procurement activities, while also maintaining responsible management, integrity, transparency, and accountability throughout the procurement process. This role involves collaborating with various program departments to develop and maintain an updated procurement plan that includes all necessary requirements such as quantities, quality, and delivery timelines for goods and services. The specialist will also be responsible for providing pricing information to assist budget holders in preparing budgets, coordinating the supplier selection process to ensure the best value for money, and monitoring supplier performance to identify potential issues and inefficiencies. The position requires effective communication with procurement staff and program units to ensure timely delivery and receipt of goods and services, as well as maintaining accurate documentation to support transparency and accountability within the procurement department.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The key duties and responsibilities of the Especialista de Adquisiciones include: coordinating fully compliant procurement systems and operational procedures for Guatemala, Mexico, and Nicaragua, evaluating their effectiveness and efficiency, and recommending improvements; ensuring compliance with CRS procurement principles, donor regulations, and local legal requirements; collaborating with program departments to develop and maintain an updated procurement plan; providing pricing information to support budget preparation; coordinating the supplier search and selection process to ensure the best value for money; conducting market assessments and price monitoring; defining supplier evaluation criteria; facilitating transparent and consistent bidding processes; evaluating the quality and availability of goods; preparing contracts or purchase orders; communicating with procurement staff and program units to coordinate the delivery and receipt of goods and services; collecting information to confirm that delivered goods and services meet the requested quantities and quality; maintaining constant correspondence with suppliers to monitor contract execution; reporting on supplier performance; monitoring contractual agreements; providing regular progress reports to the Procurement Manager; ensuring transparency through comprehensive documentation of all procurement processes; and preparing reports and facilitating document retrieval in case of discrepancies in deliveries.

Required Qualifications:
The basic qualifications required for the position include a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or equivalent experience, along with a minimum of 2 years of work experience in procurement/purchasing management. Desired qualifications include experience in an international organization, knowledge of market assessments, and experience with Oracle ERP or other procurement management systems. The candidate should possess a strong understanding of procurement principles, contract negotiation, and supplier management, as well as proficiency in MS Office packages. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential, including proficiency in Outlook and Teams. The candidate should demonstrate responsiveness and a proactive attitude in a remote work environment, along with a good understanding of donor procurement regulations and local market conditions.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or a related field. Equivalent experience may also be considered, particularly in procurement or supply chain management. The candidate should have a solid foundation in procurement principles and practices, as well as familiarity with relevant regulations and standards.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in procurement or purchasing management. Experience in an international organization is highly desirable, as it provides valuable insights into the complexities of procurement in diverse contexts. Familiarity with market assessments and procurement management systems, such as Oracle ERP, is also beneficial.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is Spanish, as it is essential for communication within the local context. Proficiency in English is desirable, as it may facilitate communication with international stakeholders and enhance the candidate's ability to engage with global procurement practices.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and may require occasional travel, up to 15%, depending on the needs of the country program. There are no supervisory responsibilities associated with this role. Catholic Relief Services is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff, and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse. The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS' Code of Conduct. CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS offices are located, and all offers are contingent on the selected candidate's ability to legally work in the country where the position is based.