Job Title:ย Commodities Manager Reports to:ย Chief of Party Department:ย Operations / Niger Salary Grade:ย 10 Program: USAID-funded Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) Location:ย Niger
This post is contingent on donor funding and donor approval of the candidate.
Job Summary:ย ย
You will be responsible for the Logistical Management of Title II and locally and regionally purchase (LRP) commodities. Your leadership, guidance, and support on supply chain management for the Niger Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) must help in successfully supporting partners in the commodity management (storage, distribution, reporting etc.), establishing accurate commodity tracking systems, managing risks (including fraud and corruption), and ensuring accountability in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. Your knowledge and experience will allow you to anticipate and manage challenges related to warehouses management (including fumigation and testing), coordination of transportation (port, road, rail, etc.), maintaining commodity quality and safety, monitoring/reporting and introduce improvement solutions, as you apply the principles of stewardship, integrity, transparency, and accountability.
Roles and Key Responsibilities:ย
Collaborate with direct reports and programming leads to strengthening the pipeline and supply chain management plan. Manage the determination of procurement and logistics service requirements, desired specifications and delivery schedules, and how sourcing strategies are defined, ensuring proper coordination and communication.ย Ensure accountability and transparency of all supply chain operations in compliance with CRS and donor regulations, and international and local standards and requirements. Support the effective co-creation, startup, and implementation of commodity-related activities across sectors. Prepare Annual Estimate of Requirements (AER), commodity pipelines and any other annual estimation of in-kind commodities; and significant goods and services procurement plans and update them as necessary.ย Coordinate with operations colleagues to ensure effective and timely management of Title II food commodities from the call forward to final transfer. Ensure timely and accurate compliance with USAID commodity reporting requirements. Ensure Title II food commodities are received in compliance with USAID reporting and management policies and meet quality and safety standards. Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports. Monitor and assess performance to ensure adequate capacity for successful support of high-quality programming.ย ย Support the design and implementation of a strategic sourcing and procurement process to identify, assess, select and contract suppliers that will deliver the maximum value for money to the organization, while keeping environmental impact priorities in mind. In close coordination with the procurement team oversee relationships with key suppliers and assess supplier performance. Manage logistical infrastructure, storage facilities and transportation resources. Oversee application of systems and procedures for inventory and commodity transportation, warehousing, and distribution, and vehicle management to ensure proper handling and safeguarding of assets. Ensure related safety and security protocols are implemented. Manage risks including fraud and corruption, oversee maintenance of commodity quality and safety, and ensure accountability throughout the supply chain. Oversee inventory control and the management of comprehensive goods tracking and record keeping systems throughout the whole supply chain cycle, from time of request until time of delivery. Ensure timely preparation and submission of various reports.ย Create and maintain the proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for the sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to small deficiencies. Provide capacity strengthening guidance, which includes cross-departmental learning. Ensure proper disposition of damaged/ unfit or improper commodities per USAID regulations standards and procedures.ย Perform control activities, analyze commodity management service requests, systems and processes, and advise on compliance matters and improvements needed to mitigate risk. Ensure that claims are filed against transporters and other parties responsible for commodity losses.Education and Experience
Bachelorโs degree in supply chain management or other relevant degree required. Masterโs degree is preferred. Professional certification(s) in supply chain a plus.ย Minimum of 5 years related field experience andย minimum of seven years of work experience in supply chain/logistics/procurement management with progressive responsibilities. Experience with Title II commodities is highly desired.ย Experienceย implementing cash transfer programming and market monitoring activitiesย is a plus. Strong knowledge of Integrated Pest Management Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.ย Knowledge of and experience with US Government and USAID regulations. Understanding of the Federal Acquisitions Regulations (FAR), WHO regulations and Generally Accepted Commodity Accountability Principles (GACAP). Knowledge of national and international import/export legislation and common customs regulations.ย Experience managing food commodity supply chains successfully, including maintaining food commodity quality and safety, management of warehouses and transportation, monitoring, and reporting. Experience with program monitoring and evaluation, including applying data collection tools and methodologies, data analysis, and data presentation. Experience and skillsย in networking and relations with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based and civil society partners. Understanding of partnership principles. Experience implementing USAID-funded Resilience Food Security Activities (RFSA) is preferred. Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio) and information management systems. Experience with ERP systems is a plus.ย Experience working in Niger is preferred.Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Excellent planning, coordination, prioritization, and time management skillsย Excellent analytical skills with ability to make independent judgment and decisions. Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethicsย Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-orientedย Ability to work collaboratively.ย Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply - if there are multiple equally qualified candidates, female candidates will receive preference.Required Languagesย โย Fluency in French required. Professional proficiency in English is required.ย
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Travelย โ This position is based in Niger, with an anticipated 30-40% travel to field offices, warehouses, and distribution sites
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Key Working Relationships:ย ย
Supervisory Responsibilities:ย TBD Internal: MEAL Manager,ย Chief of Party, Head of Programming, Deputy Head of Programming, project MEAL staff, Country Program staff (MEAL, accountability, ICT, others), Deputy Regional Director for Program Quality, Regional Technical Advisors External:ย Local/regional governments, partners, USAID, national and international research and learning/university partners, and other relevant stakeholders.ย
Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.ย
Personal Accountability โ Consistently takes responsibility for oneโs own actions. Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.ย Is considered honest. Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions. Collaborates with Others โ Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams. Open to Learn โ Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.Agency Leadership Competencies:
What we offerย
CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.ย
***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. 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.ย CRSโ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.ย
Disclaimer:ย This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.ย
CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States.ย Catholic Relief Servicesย works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. ย Catholic Relief Servicesโย relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.ย 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. CRSโ 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 or global telecommuter, 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.ย The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRSยด 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:ย This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.ย
CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
General Requirements
CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidateโs ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements.ย ย 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.