Technical Advisor II – Health Supply Chain Advisor

CRS’ 2030 Strategy places a central emphasis on fostering local leadership within the countries in which CRS operates. Directly aligned with this commitment is CRS’ High Performing Implementers (HPI) Initiative, which aims to accompany national government partners to eventually become and remain strong Principal Recipients of Global Fund grants. Together with national partners, CRS has begun to implement this structured approach to partner-led capacity strengthening in the current 2021-2023 grant cycle in five priority countries and is assembling a global HPI Support Team to provide direct, comprehensive capacity strengthening support to national partners in priority countries according to their needs.
As a key member of the HPI Support Team, you will provide technical guidance and direct capacity strengthening services to national partners (primarily national disease programs, Ministries of Health) in five countries in the areas of Supply Chain Management (SCM.) In line with CRS’ program quality and partnership and capacity strengthening principles, as well as donor and industry standards, you will support national partners to strengthen their SCM capacities by facilitating trainings, providing direct technical assistance to develop or improve key policies, practices, or systems, and providing robust coaching and accompaniment. Your technical knowledge, advice and guidance will contribute to effective capacity strengthening of national partners on their journeys to becoming Principal Recipients of Global Fund grants. After an initial two-year secondment to the HPI Initiative, your role will shift to include provision of technical assistance for learning and capacity building for Health Supply Chain implementation in collaboration with Regional Technical Advisors for Supply Chain. To ensure compliance with CRS principles and standards, donor regulations, industry standards, and local requirements to regional and Country Program teams to ad vance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable.
Specific Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the development, testing and implementation of agency-wide resources and models for capacity strengthening in SCM, with a focus on national partners meeting Global Fund Capacity Assessment Tool (CAT) standards. Help ensure a cross-sectoral approach; leverage and actively contribute to agency SCM guidance and tools, including the Supply Chain Operational Tools and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

• Provide technical solutions to national partners and project teams, remotely and on-site, for strengthening their SCM capacities and for achievement of Global Fund CAT standards; support the Health Supply Chain Team to implement, strengthen and evaluate the Supply Chain Training Module.

• Serve as a key contributor to a flagship capacity strengthening initiative for CRS’ national partners in Global Fund grants, beginning with understanding the capacity needs identified by national partners and the initial action plans proposed to address them.

• Deploy to priority countries on a regular basis to provide SCM -related capacity building, institutional strengthening, and accompaniment for national partners in accordance with their priorities and related CAT standards.

• Contribute to regional and CP efforts to pre-position CRS for growth opportunities in SCM capacity strengthening of national partners within the context of Global Fund grants, including supporting the development of a fee-for-service business model for sustainable provision of technical assistance/capacity strengthening services to national partners.

• Contribute to knowledge management and ongoing learning by supporting national partners to collect, analyze document and share SCM-related change in capacity and lessons learned; contribute to the development of national partner transition plans, as appropriate.

• Support the collection of regular feedback from national partners to ensure partner satisfaction with the support and process.

• Establish and maintain relationships with national partners and country programs. Participate in the internal GSCM coordination mechanism and external forums in the areas of SCM capacity strengthening to collect and share best practices and promote the joint work of national partners and CRS within the Global Fund context.

Basic Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Education or a related field required. Professional certification(s) in supply chain a plus.

• Minimum of five years of relevant international working experience in an advisory or management role with progressive responsibilities, ideally within a national government or international NGO, with a minimum of three years’ experience in supply chain/logistics/procurement management within the global and local supply chain. Experience in relief commodity management is a plus.

• Strong knowledge of general procurement and trading policies and regulations, international import/export legislation, and customs regulations. Understanding of Generally Accepted Commodity Accountability Principles (GACAP).

• Proven experience in technical assistance/capacity strengthening in SCM, including experience facilitating, training, mentoring, and coaching applying adult learning practices.

• Demonstrated application of technical principles and concepts in SCM.

• Experience and skills in networking and relations with donors, peer organizations, national governments, and faith-based and civil society partners. Understanding of CRS’ partnership principles and capacity strengthening approach.

Language Requirements: Fluency in both English and French is required.
Travel Required: 70% travel (depending on COVID-19 Requirements for Safe Travel)
The first two years will require 70% Max Travel, after which travel will reduce to 50% Max
*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*

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.