Advisor II, Health Supply Chain, Continuity of Integrated Health Services (CIHS) Project

NOTE: This is a remote-global role.  The hiring team is considering candidates wherever CRS is registered to work at.

NOTE: The Pay Range referenced in this job announcement only applies to applicants who perform the job within the US and to applicants classified by CRS as International Assignees.  Staff hired on local payroll would follow the respective Country pay range.  Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your anticipated work location during the candidate selection process.

Job Summary

The Advisor II, Health Supply Chain provides advice, guidance, and support for all Supply Chain Management (SCM) activities and initiatives across the Continuity of Integrated Health Services (CIHS) project, a multi-country initiative supporting Guinea, Liberia, Mali, and Togo.  This includes supporting CIHS country teams to meet host government priorities and needs and advancement towards national supply chain objectives. This may include the design, implementation, and/or continuous improvement of agile, compliant, and efficient SCM systems that support high-quality programming.  Support also includes building the capacity of and supporting CIHS country teams as well as host governments in the management of large-scale supply chain systems and activities, including last-mile distribution. This role works closely with CIHS project countries and host governments, including regular field travel, as well as the Global Supply Chain Management (GSCM) team to assure supply chain management  activities align with host government national  strategies and  systems, and meet standards and best practices. The incumbent’s technical knowledge, advice, and guidance will ensure effectiveness and efficiency in supply chain management systems and application of the principles of stewardship, integrity, transparency, and accountability.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

Strategic Input and Engagement

• Support the development and implementation of project-wide strategies, standards, tools, and best practices in supply chain that effectively engage partners, donors and governments. 
• Provide input on supply chain aspects of CIHS country workplan development and review at the global level. Contribute to the development of SCM Plans, Commodity Calculators, Procurement Plans, and other workplan inputs.
• May represent CRS at regional planning and coordination meetings and forums on SCM. Build relationships with donors, peer organizations, and other stakeholders.

Supply Chain Operations

• Provide technical assistance and support to build the capacity of CIHS country teams on implementing and strengthening supply chain systems, processes, and policies to meet all programming needs and donor and host government requirements, including commodity quantification, inventory management, logistics, procurement, warehousing, and distribution, and ensuring alignment with host government implementation plans and objectives.
• Serve as the subject matter expert to support, in collaboration with Digital Health Solutions Advisor, initiatives in the digital health deployment in supply chain management, including but not limited to developing initiatives to improve LMIS data quality and ensuring effective and quality use of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (e.g., Oracle) for supply chain operations per each CIHS country context. Support CIHS country teams in providing technical assistance to host governments in leveraging system capabilities for planning, execution, and reporting.
• Provide technical assistance to CIHS countries and host governments in developing and implementing annual or more frequent quantification and procurement plans and identify opportunities for procurement rationalization and coordination . As required or requested, provide technical assistance to  CIHS countries and host governments in the review tender documents including Requests for Proposal (RFPs), offers, and due diligence documentation for complex tenders to ensure quality and compliance. 
• Provide technical assistance to host governments in the development and implementation of  efficient and effective fleet and driver management systems, including policies, training, and telematics.
• Promote the use of and monitor supply chain performance metrics and KPIs at to drive continuous improvement, inform decision-making, and ensure accountability in procurement, logistics, warehousing, and  distribution.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing

• Lead knowledge management and learning exchange for CIHS through the sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze, and respond quickly to small deficiencies. 
• Actively to harmonize and standardize the best practices in Health SCM across CIHS  countries. Provide technical assistance on the development of tools and procedures tailored to country specificity and in collaboration with host goverments. 
• Model best practices for in-country logistics, including warehouse and inventory management, contract management, and last-mile distribution.
• Lead capacity strengthening within  CIHS project by helping to develop and facilitate learning and training strategies, workshops and conferences, and mentoring staff. 

Compliance and Risk Management

• Support countries in addressing audit findings and implementing corrective actions.
• Promote compliance with donor regulations, CRS policies, and international standards.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proficient in MS Office packages and information management systems. 
• Strong knowledge of general procurement and trading policies and regulations, international import/export legislation, and customs regulations. Understanding of Generally Accepted Commodity Accountability Principles (GACAP).
• Technical expertise in warehouse operations and inventory control: storage standards (FIFO/FEFO), cycle counting, stock reconciliation and root-cause analysis, ABC analysis, batch/lot and expiry management, warehouse layout and space utilization, loss/shrinkage prevention
• Experience in mentoring, coaching, facilitation and training applying adult learning principles and practices. 
• Strong relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including via Outlook and Teams. Responsive and proactive in a remote working environment.  
• Strategic, analytical, organizational, and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment calls.
• Strong presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills.
• Ability to leverage a proactive, resourceful and results-oriented mindset.

Required Languages: Fluency in English required. Fluency in French highly desirable.

Travel: Must be willing and able to travel up to 40%.  

Supervisory Responsibilities: No.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum of 8+ years of progressive experience in international supply chain, logistics, or procurement.
• Experience with ERP systems (Oracle preferred).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field.
• Professional certifications (e.g., CIPS, APICS).
• Experience managing Global Fund, USG food aid, or other large-scale donor programs.

Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions. 
• Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.  Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

WHAT WE OFFER

CRS offers U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan.  Benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role.  CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.  Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.  We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS 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 talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

General Requirements

CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements.  All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.