Contracts Manager II

Job Title: Contracts Manager II, Procurement Reports to: Director, Global Procurement

Department: Global Supply Chain Management Salary Grade: 11

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.

Job Summary:

You will manage the review, preparation, revision, of procurement contracts as well as develop contract templates for commonly procured goods and services. Additionally, you will support and/or lead contract negotiations for high risk, high value contracts and provide capacity building opportunities, and contract reviews, approvals, and advice as requested and/or required under CRS policy. Your knowledge and experience will allow you to successfully manage CRS’ suppli er contracting process, as well as to identify gaps and recommend appropriate policy and procedural changes, as necessary. You will report to the Global Procurement Department with strong oversight from the Office of General Counsel (OGC).

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Under the leadership of OGC, contributes to the development of legal terms and conditions for CRS.
• Works with OGC to prioritize which standard contract templates are required/most beneficial to the agency and develops selected templates for use in country-programs as well as headquarters.
• In coordination with OGC, determines when supplier agreements may be used instead of CRS templates
• Analyzes all requirements and provisions in high-value, high-risk supplier/service contracts for Country Programs and Headquarters, to ensure compliance with laws, donor regulations and CRS policies and procedures. Engages with the OGC at the required threshold or when otherwise necessary for advice/guidance.
• Approves final contracts at the required thresholds, ensuring appropriate supporting document and procurement practices were followed.
• Provides guidance for contract modifications, as required. Coordinates with the OGC, when necessary.
• Analyzes risk to the agency during contract review for Global Procurement and, as necessary, Country Programs.
• Provides guidance to Country Program Procurement Teams as well as Procurement Specialists and Managers at HQ to support contract monitoring.
• Identifies gaps, then develops and leads trainings on contract development and review for procurement staff members in country programs and at Headquarters.
• Works with OGC and other subject matter experts to increase his/her capacity and gain expertise in categories with which s/he is not familiar (e.g. construction, pharma).
• Completes analysis of donor regulations and contract trends to influence contract terms and conditions. Liaises regularly with the OGC to review changes in the laws and their impact on CRS contract documents.
• Proactively identifies and recommends improvements to existing policies and procedures and drafts new policies and/or procedures, as applicable.
• Escalates legal questions for procurements to the OGC.
• Provides input to the development of the annual operating budget for all contract management activities.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelors required
• Minimum of 8 years work experience in procurement/purchasing management, contracts, and administration with increasing responsibility, preferably with an international organization.
• Good knowledge of various donor procurement and contracting regulations (e.g. USAID, EU, UN)
• Additional education may substitute for some experience.
• Ability to think critically and to research and understand legal terminology as well as legal and financial implications.
• Strong knowledge of contract terms and proven ability to negotiate terms and agreements and build and maintain networks with suppliers.
• Abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.

Required Languages – English required. French, Spanish or Arabic is highly desirable.

Travel – Be willing and able to travel up to 30%.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong planning, coordination, prioritization, and time management skills
• Strong 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
• Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration or other relevant field preferred. Professional certifications a plus.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of: (1) Catholic Church organizational structures and (2) Catholic Social Teaching.
• Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). Experience with database management systems (e.g. MS Access) highly desirable.

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

Supervisory Responsibilities

• N/A with possible growth in the future

Key Working Relationships:

Internal

• The Office of General Counsel
• Global Supply Chain Management
• Finance (International, Domestic, and Treasury)
• HQ Departments and Country Program Operations and Programming Staff

External

• Suppliers
• Service Providers
• Consultants
• Donors

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.