Job Description

CRS is recruiting for 1 Position: (1) Procurement Officer – MGD/FFE

If you are interested and your profile matches the requirements, please read the below job  descriptions, and follow the instructions to submit your application package.  

About CRS:

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in  the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries,  without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work are accomplished  through programs of emergency response, health (including malaria), agriculture, education,  microfinance, and peacebuilding.

CRS/ Sierra Leone and Program Background 

Catholic Relief Service (CRS) started work in Sierra Leone in 1963 carrying out the commitment of the  Catholic bishops and the Catholic community of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable  overseas. For over 57 years, CRS has been on the front lines in responding to emergencies and promoting health, education, agriculture, and urban resilience in Sierra Leone.

To date, the Country Program has a robust portfolio built around several major programs in Health,  Agriculture, Nutrition, Education and Urban Resilience such as the USDA/McGovern Dole Food for  Education and Nutrition (All Pikin for Learn) Program, Global Fund Malaria Program and COVID-19  Response Mechanism Project. In addition, the country program is working on several high-profile  opportunities to improve water security in Freetown and support Freetown City Council to deliver its  Transform Freetown strategy through slum regeneration.

Job Title: Procurement Officer 

Department: MGD/FFE Project Unit 

Reports To: Local and Regional Procurement Coordinator 

Country: CRS-Sierra Leone.

Duty Location: CRS Country Office, Freetown with travel up to 30 % to Project Areas and The  Secretariat

Job Summary: 

You will coordinate local and regional procurement activities and processes to acquire goods and services in  support of the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. Your knowledge and  experience will allow you to successfully coordinate the quality and efficiency of procurement and  purchasing activities and ensure stewardship, integrity, transparency, and accountability. This position will  be based at CRS Freetown Office but with continuous engagement and collaboration with the secretariat.

Roles and Key Responsibilities: 

• Provide support in procurement operations to fully support system strengthening and governance in  procurement, sourcing, and operations activities of the MGD project.

• Provide procurement capacity strengthening and support for The Secretariat and other stakeholders  in home grown school feeding

• Coordinate fully compliant procurement systems and operating procedures. Assess effectiveness and  efficiency and recommend improvements. Contribute to ensuring compliance with CRS procurement  principles, standards, and policies, donor regulations, and local statutory requirements.

• Coordinate with various departments to develop and maintain an up-to-date procurement plan with  all quantities, quality and delivery requirements for goods and services. Provide pricing information  to assist budget holders with budget preparation.

• Coordinate the sourcing process and perform various activities to assist with ensuring the best value  for money: market research, cost estimates, solicitation documents, bidding process facilitation,  supplier identification and research, quality and availability of goods assessment, negotiation,  contract/purchase order and other documents preparation.

• Communicate with other procurement staff and various program and operations units to coordinate  and track goods/services delivery and receipt and keep everyone informed of the status. Collect  information to confirm that goods/services delivered are what have been ordered in the correct  quantities and quality, they arrive on schedule and at the right cost.

• Maintain correspondence and constant contact with suppliers to follow up on the execution of  contractual terms and conditions, and handle issues if needed. Monitor and report on supplier  performance, noting current and/or potential issues and/or inefficiencies and assist with  contract/purchase order modifications.

• Accountable for transparency within the procurement department through ensuring a complete,  accurate and up-to-date document trail of all procurement processes, vendor files, procurement and  inventory database to assist with control and accountability. Prepare reports and facilitate document  retrieval.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements: 

Basic Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Economics, Supply Chain or other relevant/related degree.

• Minimum of 3 years work experience in procurement/purchasing management, logistics,  administration, preferably with an international organization.

• Good knowledge of various donor procurement regulations (e.g. USAID, EU, UN)

• Knowledge of international and national procurement regulations and local market conditions.

• Knowledge of contract terms, as well as a proven ability to successfully complete purchase orders  against specifications.

• Knowledge of local and regional sourcing in the fast-moving consumer goods sector and agricultural  value chains desirable.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Professional certification a plus.

• Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). Experience with database management  systems (e.g. MS Access) highly desirable.

• Knowledge of ERP and procurement software high desirable

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Good planning and coordination skills and ability to prioritize competing priorities effectively

• Good analytical skills with ability to make independent judgment and decisions

• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented with focus on meeting customer needs

• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics

• Good negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills

Required Languages – English and Krio

Travel – include percentage of required travel, if applicable. Could be stated as Must be willing and able to  travel up to 20%.

Key Working Relationships: 

Supervisory Responsibilities: (if none, state none) None

Internal: Program and Operations staff

External: The Secretariat, Suppliers/Service providers, Govt Ministries, Communities.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)  

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.

• Integrity

• Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Builds Relationships

• Develops Talent

• Strategic Mindset

• Accountability & Stewardship

***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. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment  to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.  

By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people  with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human  trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a  comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to  evaluate my behaviors related to safeguarding-related topics.

WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. CRS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

To apply for any of these positions please send up-to-date CV and a supporting letter, copies of  relevant certificates to SL_HR@crs.org. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be  contacted.

Also send a copy of your application package to the desk Officers, Ministry of Employment and  Social Security, New England, and Extension Offices in Applicants’ Locations  

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

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable  adults from abuse and exploitation. 

Closing date for the receipt of application packages is 8^th April 2022.

Disclaimer: Careerical eConsult posts job listings for the convenience of job seekers. We do not endorse or recommend employers, and a posting does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Careerical eConsult explicitly makes no representations or guarantees about positions listed on our website. Careerical eConsult is not responsible for safety, wages, working conditions, or other aspects of employment.  It is the responsibility of applicants to research the integrity of the organizations to which they are applying. We advise you to use caution and common sense when applying for any position with an organization or private party.