NOTE: The above Pay Range only applies to applicants who perform the job within
the US and to applicants classified by CRS as International Assignees. Staff
hired on local payroll would follow the respective Country pay range. Your
recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your anticipated
work location during the candidate selection process.
Job Summary
The Advisor II, Procurement Contracts serves as Global Procurement’s technical
subject matter expert providing technical advice, capacity building on
procurement contracting in line with CRS procurement policies, procedures, donor
requirements, and applicable legal and compliance standards. The Advisor works
closely with global, regional, and country stakeholders to strengthen
procurement contracting practices across the agency and support high-quality
programming through effective risk management and contract administration. The
role also contributes to the development of complex and strategic agreements and
supports the development of agency-wide contracting standards, templates,
guidance, tools, and good practices. Through advisory support, knowledge
management, and capacity strengthening, the role improves the quality,
consistency, efficiency, and risk profile of procurement contracts across CRS
global operations.
Roles and Key Responsibilities
Contract Strategy, Development and Negotiation
Leads the development, review, and negotiation of complex, high-value,
high-risk, and strategic procurement-related contracts, including framework
agreements and contracts for goods, professional and consulting services,
transportation and logistics, construction, technology, and other categories.
Partner with requestors, procurement teams, technical stakeholders to
develop, clear scopes of work, deliverables, performance standards, and
contractual requirements.
Advise stakeholders on appropriate contract structures, risk allocation,
service levels, warranties, insurance, indemnities, liability, intellectual
property, data protection, remedies, termination rights, and other key
commercial terms.
Support complex procurement activities through review of solicitation
documents, evaluation requirements, negotiation strategies, award
documentation, and contract modifications, and dispute resolution.
Serve as technical escalation point for complex contractual concerns while
maintaining clear coordination with Office of General Counsel (OGC) on
matters requiring legal advice or representation.
Risk Management and Compliance
Ensure procurement contracts align with CRS policies and procedures, donor
requirements, applicable law, and required organizational approvals.
Determine when approved contract templates are appropriate, and when other
subject matter expertise is required. Work closely with OGC, GRC, Finance,
Safeguarding, GKIM, and other functions to address specialized legal,
compliance, and risk considerations and clarify roles for review and
decision-making.
Monitor changes in donor, regulatory, and organizational requirements and
work with OGC to incorporate them into contracting standards, templates, and
guidance.
Contracting System Strengthening
Contribute to the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of CRS
procurement contracting templates, clause libraries, playbooks, decision
tools, and review guidance.
Serve as a technical advisor and escalation point for complex procurement
contracting questions across country programs, regions, and headquarters
departments.
Analyze recurring contractual risks, disputes, exceptions, audit findings,
and implementation challenges to identify systemic improvements and
strengthen organizational contracting practices.
Capacity Strengthening
Deliver training, guidance, coaching, and practical tools on contract
development, negotiation, risk management, and contract administration.
Build contracting capability among procurement staff, program teams, budget
holders, and other stakeholders, with support tailored to differing
operational contexts and risk levels.
Promote agency-wide understanding of contractual obligations, accountability,
and good contract management practices.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to identify, explain, and mitigate complex contractual and compliance
risks while enabling timely program implementation.
Ability to interpret donor, regulatory, policy, and contractual requirements
and translate them into practical guidance and contract provisions.
Excellent analytical skills and sound judgement, including the ability to
distinguish commercial, operational, compliance, and legal issues and
escalate appropriately.
Strong facilitation, consultation, and stakeholder management skills, with
the ability to build consensus across functions, geographies, and levels of
seniority.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to
communicate complex requirements clearly to non-specialist audiences.
Ability to influence without direct authority and serve as a credible,
service-oriented technical advisor.
Computer proficiency with the ability to utilize MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint
as well as other platforms.
Required Languages: Fluent written and spoken English. French, Spanish, or
Arabic are preferred but not required.
Travel: Must be willing and able to travel up to 10%.
Supervisory Responsibilities: No
QUALIFICATIONS
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in law, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management,
Public Administration, International Development, or a related field.
Equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in contract
management, commercial contracting, procurement contracting, legal advisory
support, supply chain management, or a related field.
Experience working cross-functionally with legal counsel, risk and compliance
functions, technical experts, and operational stakeholders.
Demonstrated experience drafting, reviewing, negotiating, administering, and
closing out complex, high-value, or high-risk contracts for goods and
services.
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced degree in Law, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or
a related field.
Professional certification in contract management, procurement, supply chain
management, or a related discipline.
Experience in an international development, humanitarian, non-profit, or
multinational organization.
Experience with major institutional donor requirements, including the U.S.
Government, European Union, United Nations, and World Bank.
Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
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.
WHAT WE OFFER
CRS offers U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical,
dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan.
Benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based
on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform
the role. CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture
committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of
the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to
save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without
regard to race, religion or nationality. Catholic Relief Services’ 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 safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse
and exploitation.
CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the
event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the
assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job
and the needs of the agency.
CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff
and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse. The successful
candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.
CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the
rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults -
to live free from abuse and harm.
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill,
effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
General Requirements
CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work
where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work
permit eligibility requirements. All positions requiring residence or frequent
travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical
clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government
administered medical examination.
CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the
countries where we have CRS offices.