Job Vacancy @ Catholic Relief Services – Procurement Officer (Sierra Leone)
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 [email protected]. 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 8th April 2022.
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