Advisor II, Health Supply Chain

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to save, protect, and transform lives in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, providing relief and development programs that address various issues 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 it actively seeks to employ individuals from diverse backgrounds who share its values. CRS has a strong focus on safeguarding vulnerable populations, particularly children, and has established policies to prevent abuse and exploitation. The agency's work culture is collaborative and mission-driven, emphasizing the importance of improving the lives of the poor globally. CRS is also dedicated to ensuring that its processes reflect a commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people, especially those who are most vulnerable.

Job Overview:
The Advisor II, Health Supply Chain position is a remote role that provides critical advice, guidance, and support for all Supply Chain Management (SCM) activities and initiatives across the Continuity of Integrated Health Services (CIHS) project. This multi-country initiative supports health supply chain objectives in Guinea, Liberia, Mali, and Togo. The role involves collaborating with CIHS country teams to align with host government priorities and advancing national supply chain objectives. The Advisor will be responsible for designing, implementing, and continuously improving agile and compliant SCM systems that support high-quality programming. Additionally, the position includes building the capacity of CIHS country teams and host governments in managing large-scale supply chain systems, including last-mile distribution. The incumbent will work closely with CIHS project countries and host governments, requiring regular field travel, and will coordinate with the Global Supply Chain Management (GSCM) team to ensure alignment with national strategies and best practices. The role demands a high level of technical knowledge to ensure effective and efficient supply chain management systems, emphasizing stewardship, integrity, transparency, and accountability.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Advisor II will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Strategic Input and Engagement: Supporting the development and implementation of project-wide strategies, standards, tools, and best practices in supply chain management that engage partners, donors, and governments. Providing input on supply chain aspects of CIHS country workplan development and review at the global level. Contributing to the development of SCM Plans, Commodity Calculators, Procurement Plans, and other workplan inputs. Representing CRS at regional planning and coordination meetings on SCM and building relationships with donors and stakeholders.
• Supply Chain Operations: Providing technical assistance to CIHS country teams to strengthen supply chain systems, processes, and policies. Serving as a subject matter expert in digital health deployment in supply chain management. Supporting CIHS countries in developing and implementing quantification and procurement plans. Assisting in reviewing tender documents for compliance and quality. Promoting the use of supply chain performance metrics and KPIs to drive continuous improvement.
• Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing: Leading knowledge management and learning exchanges for CIHS, harmonizing best practices in Health SCM across countries, and developing tools tailored to country specifics. Facilitating learning and training strategies, workshops, and mentoring staff.
• Compliance and Risk Management: Supporting countries in addressing audit findings and implementing corrective actions while promoting compliance with donor regulations and CRS policies.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field. Candidates must have a minimum of 8+ years of progressive experience in international supply chain, logistics, or procurement. Experience with ERP systems, particularly Oracle, is preferred. Candidates should possess strong knowledge of procurement policies, international import/export legislation, and customs regulations. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate technical expertise in warehouse operations and inventory control, as well as experience in mentoring and training using adult learning principles. Strong relationship management skills and the ability to influence others are essential, along with excellent written and verbal communication skills. Candidates should be responsive and proactive in a remote working environment, with strong analytical and organizational skills.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field. A Master’s degree in a similar field is preferred, along with professional certifications such as CIPS or APICS. These educational qualifications are essential for understanding the complexities of supply chain management and logistics in an international context.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8+ years of progressive experience in international supply chain, logistics, or procurement. This experience should include working with large-scale donor programs and managing complex supply chain systems. Familiarity with ERP systems, particularly Oracle, is highly desirable, as is experience with managing Global Fund or USG food aid programs.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, while fluency in French is highly desirable. The ability to communicate effectively in both languages will enhance collaboration with diverse teams and stakeholders across the CIHS project countries.

Additional Notes:
This is a remote-global role, and the hiring team is considering candidates from any location where CRS is registered to work. The pay range mentioned in the job announcement applies only to applicants performing the job within the US and those classified as International Assignees. Staff hired on local payroll will follow the respective country pay range. The recruiter will provide specific salary range information during the candidate selection process. The position may require travel up to 40%, and there are no supervisory responsibilities associated with this role. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. Benefits for candidates employed outside the U.S. will be based on the country of employment.