Commodity Manager

Job Title: Commodity Manager

Reports to: Chief of Party

Department: Operations / Madagascar

Salary Grade: 10

Program: USAID-funded Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA)

Location: Tana or Southern Madagascar to be determined

This post is contingent on donor funding and donor approval of the candidate.

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, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

Context

CRS has been operating in Madagascar since 1962 supporting relief and development operations in the country. Through local partners, CRS has implemented programs in all 22 of the country’s regions, focusing on resilience, agricultural livelihood and land restoration, private sector engagement, education, health, WASH, Youth, and emergency response and recovery. CRS has also developed strong relationships with government line ministries, partners, and communities we serve in the country, implementing a multi-sectoral program portfolio. CRS has significant programming concentrated in the deep south of Madagascar, implementing, and supporting humanitarian response and recovery projects.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS)/Madagascar is preparing a response to the 2024 USAID Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) Request for Applications (RFA). The proposed program will address chronic food and nutrition insecurity and vulnerability in Madagascar. The estimated timeframe for this program is October 2024 – September 2029.

The overall goal of the proposed program will be to measurably reduce food and nutrition insecurity and vulnerability in targeted communes. The proposed program will take a multi-sectoral approach to reducing chronic food and nutrition insecurity, with a particular focus on enhancing resiliency and increasing individual, household, and community capacities to manage and mitigate risk.

Job Summary:

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 Madagascar Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) must help in 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:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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 loss 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.
• Lead 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Experience working in Madagascar required and Malagasy language proficiency preferred.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management or other relevant degree required.
• Five years related field experience and minimum of seven years of work experience in supply chain/logistics/procurement management with progressive responsibilities. Experience with Title II commodities is highly desired.
• Strong knowledge in Integrated Pest Management
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio) and information management systems. Experience with ERP systems is a plus.

Required Languages – Fluency in French required. Professional proficiency in English is required. Fluency in Malagasy is preferred.”

Travel – Position will be based in Southern Madagascar with must be willing and able to travel up to 50% with the majority of travel to field offices, warehouses and distribution sites.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent planning, coordination, prioritization, and time management skills
• Excellent analytical skills with ability to make independent judgment and decisions.
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented
• Ability to work collaboratively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in supply chain, other relevant Master’s strongly, or equivalent experience strongly preferred. Professional certification(s) in supply chain a plus.
• 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.
• 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 skills 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.
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply – if there are multiple equally qualified candidates, female candidates will receive preference.
• Candidates who speak Anosy, Atismo-Andrefana or Androy Regional dialects are strongly encouraged to apply – if there are multiple equally qualified candidates, candidates who speak these dialects will receive preference.
• Candidates with working experience in the Anosy, Atismo-Andrefana or Androy Regions are strongly encouraged to apply – if there are multiple equally qualified candidates, candidates with this experience will receive preference.
• Experience implementing USAID-funded Resilience Food Security Activities (RFSA) is a plus.
• Experience working with Catholic Relief Services Program Policies and Procedures is a plus.
• Malagasy citizens preferred.

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.

• 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.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Relevant project supply chain, procurement, and/or logistics staff.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Chief of Party, Program Managers, Head of Office, Deputy Country Representative for Operations, project operations staff, Finance Manager, Regional Technical Advisors and Leadership.

External: Suppliers, partner INGOs and local NGOs, peer agencies.

***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.

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.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer