Job Vacancy at Catholic Relief Service (CRS) – Local and Regional Procurement Coordinator
CRS is recruiting for the position of Local and Regional Procurement Coordinator
If you are interested and your profile matches the requirements, please read the below job description, 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 is 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: Local and Regional Procurement Coordinator
Department: MGD4/FFE Project Unit
Reports To: Chief of Party
Country: CRS-Sierra Leone.
Duty Location: CRS Country Office, Freetown with travel up to 40 % of your work time travel up
Job Summary:
The LRP Coordinator will be responsible for the overall management of the local and regional procurement activities of the MGD Lan 4 U Future project. This includes all aspects of food supply chain management; involving producers and transporters, in collaboration with the National School Feeding Secretariat, to strengthen and implement local procurement mechanisms to ensure sufficient nutritious foods for MGD beneficiary schools in the Koinadugu and Falaba districts of Sierra Leone. The position requires significant coordination with partners including the Ministries of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Agriculture, Health, local councils, School Management Committees (SMCs), and others at the national and local levels as well as project management skills for timely start-up, implementation and close-out involving close financial and commodity management. The ideal candidate will have prior experience managing LRP and institutional capacity strengthening programs, or similar.
Roles and Key Responsibilities:
• Lead the planning of project activities in line with program targets for improved small-holder farmer productivity, improved child nutrition, increased government capacity, and stronger food market systems (processing, wholesaling, retailing, food service, and transportation) for school feeding;
• Work with the project team and partners to develop annual implementation plans; track progress on a regular basis to ensure timely completion of activities and prepare and share timely reports on project advances.
• Oversee timely procurement, efficient distribution, and delivery of food commodities.
• Work with the Sustainability and Capacity Building Advisor on institutional capacity development plans for the National School Feeding Secretariat to build centralized and decentralized capacity for strong school canteen management.
• Provide leadership and oversight to project partners and vendors to accomplish objectives and meet sub-award or contract terms and work cooperatively and productively together.
• Strengthen linkages with existing and potential partner agencies, and GoSL, in collaboration with CRS MGD Chief of Party;
• Ensure integration and coordination of program interventions with other USG funded programs in the project areas, and with other stakeholders for consistency and to avoid duplication.
• Ensure the delivery of quality training, technical assistance, and administrative and financial support to all partner agencies and government.
• Collaborate with MGD projects stakeholders to ensure the project’s results are fully accomplished and meet expected technical quality standards for both food safety, quality assurance, and the CRS Project Management Standards.
• In collaboration with NSFS and other stakeholders, ensure that communities are active participants in the project implementation and that project commitments regarding the involvement of the different community groups are realized.
Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:
Education and Experience
• Master’s degree in International Development, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Marketing, or related field
• Prior knowledge and experience in managing food supply chains, particularly LRP, highly desired
• Knowledge of informal food production, processing, and marketing systems, highly desired
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience with at least 5 years’ experience in management
• Previous supervisory experience required
• Previous experience managing USG funds
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team, but self-motivated and accountable
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Strong computer skills
Personal Skills
• Very good strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
• Very good relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with diverse groups
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented
Required Languages – English and Krio
Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 40 % of your work time
Key Working Relationships:
Supervisory Responsibilities: LRP Procurement Officer who will be seconded to the NSFS Internal: HOP, Head of Operations, Logistics Manager, MEAL Manager
External: NSFS, SMCs, District-level government officials of Agriculture, Health and Education, Food Monitors and Regional Coordinators of the NSFS
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 this position please send up-to-date CV and a supporting letter, copies of relevant certificates to :
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 19th November 2021
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