About CRS:

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. 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.

Background:

CRS Sudan will be implementing an emergency food security program to address acute food security shocks in Sudan. The project will serve as a food pipeline for affected populations in Central and West Darfur.

Job Summary: 

You will manage the program commodity management risk monitoring. You will facilitate the achievement of program objectives through coordinating and reporting on risk monitoring activities, providing technical guidance and advice to the monitoring team and implementing partner(s) to advance Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work in serving the poor and vulnerable. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that the activities for which you are responsible applies best practices and constantly work towards improving the impact of program benefits to the participants (aka beneficiaries).

Roles and Responsibilities:

Coordination and implementation of last mile commodity management risk monitoring activities

• Coordinates and reviews monitoring plans for each of the field-based monitoring teams and refines them into workable monthly plans based on the project distribution rounds (cycles) and partner distribution schedules.
• Coordinates and regularly shares with each of the Consortium Partner and CRS local partners monthly risk monitoring plans tied to food commodity distribution rounds. 
• Coordinates manageable logistical plans with Field Office Managers and Monitoring Team Leaders to implement planned field monitoring for specific project distribution rounds and makes them operational.
• Considers relevant security issues by coordinating with CRS Security Focal Point, Field Office Managers and the Deputy Chief of Party. 
• Supervise the activities of the project commodity management risk monitoring unit. Directly supervise the Senior Project Officers and field officers (Commodity Risk Monitoring Team) to ensure they have necessary support, knowledge and skill sets to manage their teams and produce quality results.
• Liaise as needed with CRS Field Office Management at Primary Distribution Points for food dispatches and risk monitoring activities. 
• Oversee all project related commodity management risk monitoring activities for the consortium partners per the agreements signed with each partner. Ensure project risk monitors and consortium partner staff use the appropriate systems and tools.
• Develop monitoring plans, and ensure they are implemented based upon risk model developed through project ICT4D system.
• Ensure relationships with partners are managed professionally and respectfully by the risk monitoring unit.

Consortium Capacity Support and Learning 

• Provides input for and co-chairs regular monthly Commodity Management Technical Working Group meetings with partners to discuss salient issues, discuss learning, share challenges, and ensure partner commodity management meets USAID regulations and the project minimum standards.
• Ensures that the project Minimum Standards for Commodity Management, GACAP (Generally Accepted Commodity Accounting Principles) and other donor principles are adhered and implemented during Risk Monitoring and data collection in the field/Final Distribution Points and commodities handled in line with those standards. 
• Champion learning with risk monitoring team and partners. Analyze and evaluate project commodity risk monitoring data following food commodity management minimum standard. Proactively identify issues and concerns and use participatory processes to overcome implementation obstacles. 
• In collaboration with project Compliance Unit, facilitates technical trainings covering logistics, commodity management and distribution required for FDPs to meet project Minimum Standards for Commodity Management.
• Checks control procedures are adequate at each stage of the distribution chain to minimize risk of misappropriations.
• Collaborates closely with the Compliance Team in identification of corrective actions to bring commodity management in compliance with USAID regulations, project Standards and other commodity management principles. 
• Act as a key resource person in project design and proposal development in food assistance, gap-filling and taking on growth responsibilities, as needed.
• Support the identification of staff capacity and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation. 
• Help identify, assess and strengthen partnerships relevant to food assistance and food security, applying appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches.
• Maintains contact with the relevant partner organization offices (logistics, program departments);

Supervisory Responsibilities 

• Directly supervises four Risk Monitoring SPO and field officer, coordinating their activities and ensuring that monitoring standards needed for electronic data collection ICT4D data collection system through Commcare, iFormbuilder, smartphones and iPads etc.) are in place. 
• Periodically travels to the five field offices to inspect monitoring teams and visit partners’ FDPs. 
• Oversees performance management of the Risk Monitoring Unit, including Team Leaders and Risk Monitors; and 
• Provides the necessary capacity building opportunities to the team, ensuring that they are abreast with CRS (CRS Warehouse Management and Commodity Handling Manual) and USAID regulations (Regulation 11) relating to commodity management and accountability and the project Minimum Standards for Commodity Management; and 
• Trains risk monitors on use of the project Commodity Monitoring system and use of risk model for monitoring activities. 
• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of project staff, and complete performance management for direct reports.

Basic requirements:

• Master’s degree in international development, International Relations, Management, Economics, and related fields required. Additional work experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 4 years of relevant field-based experience in coordinating or managing light to moderately complex projects required, preferably with an international NGO. 
• Additional experience may substitute for some education.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Proven supervisory experience and ability to manage large teams.
• Knowledge of USAID/Title II rules and regulations
• Excellent organizational and prioritization skills and attention to details
• High degree of initiative, integrity and accountability
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to write reports. Skill in report writing.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Skill in the use of computers and S/W related to the job
• Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with culturally diverse groups.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented

Preferred Qualifications:

• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Excellent technical knowledge & experience in humanitarian food assistance programming and monitoring
• Experience using MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, and knowledge sharing networks

Required Languages – Fluent written and spoken English is required; fluent written and spoken Arabic is preferred.

Travel - Must be able and willing to travel in Sudan up to 30%, including remote field locations.

Key Working Relationships: 

Supervisory Responsibilities: Risk Monitoring SPOs and Monitoring Field Officers.
Internal: Chief (and Deputy) of Party, Risk and Compliance PM II, CRS Head of Programs, CRS Head of Operations, partner Program Managers.

External: Primarily Program Managers of Consortium Members and Technical service providing agencies
Others consist of Consortium members, USAID, GoE, other stakeholders.

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.

If applicable: Work Conditions/Environment Conditions

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

 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. 

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

CRS's emphasis on family values supports benefits, including maternity and paternity leave, policies that promote exclusive breastfeeding, the availability of a crèche at

the office, and flexible working hours where possible.

(The position is contingent on donor funding).

Submission location: - 

If interested, please submit cover letter, resume and copies of your education and work certificates to CRS– El Geneina Office. Ensure that your cover letter or resume has a phone number here you can be reached.