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: 

The Commodity Manager II will manage, coordinate and monitor the commodity accounts and program operations, and will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through coordinating and reporting on project operations and providing commodity accounts technical guidance and advice to staff and implementing partners advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. This position will provide support in partners budget development and management, advance, liquidation and all finance related process as required. This position will need to coordinate with and maintain good relationships with program partners to ensure that the activities are successful.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Lead technical, commodity management, monitoring and reporting activities through the project cycle.
• Coordinate the implementation of all assigned program operations activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices. Support SRFMP assessments, corrective plans and monitoring activities of program operation.
• Prepare weekly, bi-weekly and monthly reports based on program partners weekly commodity dispatch and distribution performance, highlighting challenges and identifying problem woredas.  Share reports with COP and DCOP for further submission to the donor, WFP, BHA and other stakeholders.
• Ensure periodic reporting submission of dispatch, distribution pipeline, and related reports to the food cluster under the Program.
• Support accountability through overseeing partner FDP carryover balances, church partner space confirmation, and CRS PDP stock positions. 
• Collaborate with local partners to prepare reports per established reporting schedule. 
• Provide required input for program commodity pipeline analysis and call forward preparation to DCoP and CoP.
• Prepare the allocation for new rounds, follow up on timely commencement of dispatch and distribution operation and in the event operation delay occurs, work closely with partners and the DCoP, CoP and CRS Supply Chain, to solve problems,
• Supervise and perform ad-hoc inspections of various processes and resources at project sites to ensure timely project activities implementation and adherence to established process standards and procedures. 
• Ensure proper tracking of resource use for project activities through periodic budget reviews and follow-up with and assistance to implementing partner.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise 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.
• Ensure compliance with USAID/BHA reporting requirements by collecting and checking the program partners Commodity Status Report (CSR), Recipient Status Report (RSR) and Loss Status Report (LSR) for each award. 
• Ensure all loss claim collection are handled as per USAID/BHA Regulation 11 for all program Awards.
• Act as principal liaison between program operations and CRS/Sudan Logistics Unit (Supply Chain Department) to monitor stock positions at each PDP, commodity BUBD and ensure timely dispatch to all partners. 
• Ensure learning accompanies operations activities amongst the CRS team and with partners. Analyze implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies and/or gaps to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules. 
• Assess and coordinate capacity building and technical support for CRS project staff as well as partner staff to ensure proper operational procedures are implemented per guidelines and standards.
• Ensure documentation for assigned activities is complete with all required documents and is filed per agency and donor requirements. Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and documentation of case studies and promising practices. 
• Ensure partners budget for commodity management is reflected in Pipeline Resource Planning phase as per the program need and support partners liquidation, advance and VAT refund process when required,
• Coordinate provision of any logistical and administrative support to staff and partners.

Basic requirements:

Education and Experience

• MA/MBA degree in management, international development, social science, related field with 4 years’ relevant experience for MA degree or 6 years’ relevant experience for BA degree for an international NGO. 
• Additional education may substitute for some experience. 
• Strong familiarity with the policies, rules, and regulations applicable for commodity management and handling, and auditing (Reg. 11, GACAP, Finance Policies, Accounting, etc.) preferred. 
• Experience working with partners, participatory action planning and community engagement. 
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data preferred. 
• Strong report writing skills. 
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). 

Knowledge 

• Proven skills, knowledge and experience in USAID program areas of emergency food distribution, program monitoring and evaluation, commodity management, consortium management, logistics.
• Minimum three years’ experience in a senior position handling commodity management, consortium management, logistics.
• Exceptional English writing skills and the ability to capture, synthesize and report out consortium learning to CRS and the broader food security community.
• Demonstrated ability to work both strategically and at an appropriate level of detail to lead a complex program and consortium, excellent analytical skills.
• Excellent partnership skills and the ability to interact effectively with donors, collaborating agencies, and local partners demonstrated through close work experience with international PVOs.
• Demonstrated capacity to understand the current best practices and challenges while coordinating to implement program strategies through a participatory approach.
• Computer literate, with strong knowledge of MS Office applications, spread sheets, database programs, and statistical software packages.
• Personal qualities include flexibility, persistence, and ability to work well with people and cross-cultural skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Experience and abilities in capacity strengthening - developing curricula and facilitating trainings.
• Experience using MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, and knowledge sharing networks

Key Working Relationships: 

Supervisory Responsibilities: Dispatcher and Commodity Operations SPOs.
Internal: Chief (and Deputy) of Party, 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.