The Catholic Relief Services is hiring a Senior Local and Regional Procurement (LRP) Specialist.
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
The Senior Local and Regional Procurement (LRP) Specialist will be responsible for the overall execution of CRS’s local and regional procurement responsibilities under the USDA MGD PARES project. This includes collaborating with WV in the establishment of Joint Procurement Committees (JPC) comprising of member of national government school feeding program among other, assuming JPC membership and participating in all JPCs activities, conducting capacity building of the JPCs specifically on quality control, building LRP capacity for members of National School Meals Program (PRONAE) at district, provincial, and central levels. The position requires significant coordination with partners including World Vision- Awardee, National School Meals Program (PRONAE), Ministry of Health (MISAU), the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADER), the National Institute for Standardization and Quality (INNOQ), and INAE in charge of enforcing the food safety regulatory framework and ensuring compliance.
Roles and Key Responsibilities
- Ensure clear roles and responsibilities are defined and observed between World Vision and CRS in line with program targets.
- Lead the planning of CRS project activities in collaboration with World Vision and PRONAE.
- Provide oversight for the initial market assessments, lead the establishment of a market monitoring system per the initial market assessment recommendation and project objectives, and facilitate the follow-on annual updates.
- In collaboration with World Vision establish JPC and their terms of reference.
- Lead product quality assessment capacity-building process for other members of the JPC.
- Lead training of JPC members as Master Trainers to build government capacity for LRP.
- Provide oversight and guidance on quality assurance procedures in the LRP process.
- Lead the review of PRONAE school feeding guidance documentation, manuals, and tools and add, improve, and or strengthen them as necessary.
- Lead training of the updated materials to the provincial staff with a focus on LRP.
- Collaborate with PRONE to ensure developed/strengthened manuals are adopted across all participating schools.
- In collaboration with WV advocate with PRONAE to establish district-level procurement committees, regrouping schools for delivery of commodities to improve cost-effectiveness and efficiency.
- In collaboration with WV document learning and host reflection meetings with PRONAE on a semi-annual basis for the LOA.
- Build relationships and partnerships with the Ministry of Health (MISAU), the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADER) The National Institute for Standardization and Quality (INNOQ), and INAE to facilitate compliance with food commodity quality and safety regulations and enforcement thereof.
- Lead awareness sessions/meetings with potential contract bidders/expressions of interest responders explaining quality assurance requirements.
- Coordinate with INAE and MADER to ensure prequalified farmer groups/associations comply with the national regulatory framework.
- Provide advice on the execution of procurement contracts between PARES and suppliers focusing on product quality and safety adherence.
- Provide oversight in the engagement of an independent survey for random product sample testing services.
- Lead the development of an LRP-focused manual and training materials to guide capacity-building.
- Provide leadership t in the development/establishment of a visual checklist for cooks and storeroom keepers to facilitate product inspection at receipt.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, procurement, supply chain management, or relevant field experience.
- Minimum of 3 years work experience in procurement/purchasing management, preferably with an international organization.
- Good knowledge of USDA procurement regulations, USDA/ government of Mozambique food commodities quality and safety requirements.
- Experience in developing training materials, training guidance, conducting training needs assessment, and training facilitation.
- Experience in interacting with high-level authorities, building rapport and engagement.
- Knowledge of international and national procurement regulations and local market conditions.
- Knowledge of management of contracts in the Mozambique context.
- Knowledge of local and regional sourcing in the fast-moving consumer goods sector is desirable.
- Required Languages – Fluent written and spoken English. Professional proficiency in Portuguese. Spanish may be considered as an alternative to Portuguese.
- Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 60% of the time.
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
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
- Supervisory role to the LRP Officers.
Key Working Relationships
- Internal – Country Manager, Head of Program, Head of Operations.
- External – World Vision International, Local Government, Donors.
To apply for this job email your details to crsmozhr@crs.org
Note: 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 prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices. CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Reports to: Head of Programs
Department: Mozambique
Salary Grade: 10