Project Overview
The RAPID project is a global emergency preparedness and rapid response
mechanism that strengthens the capacity of local partners to deliver timely
humanitarian assistance during crises. In South America, the project supports
Caritas partners in Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru to prepare for
the anticipated impacts of the 2026-2027 El Niño event, including flooding,
drought, and wildfires. Through improved hazard monitoring, emergency planning,
supply chain readiness, prepositioned assistance, and rapid response systems,
the project aims to address critical preparedness gaps and ensure vulnerable
communities can access lifesaving assistance quickly when disasters occur.
Job Summary
The Supply Chain Management Technical Advisor I will support the Supply Chain
Management Technical Advisor II in providing technical assistance,
accompaniment, and training to EMPOWER partners in South America to strengthen
supply chain and operational preparedness for rapid emergency response. The role
will help partners improve their capacity to set up and operate
multiple-modality supply chains, including in-kind assistance and cash and
voucher assistance (CVA), in an expedited, responsible, and compliant manner.
Roles and Key Responsibilities
Supply Chain Readiness and Planning
Support Technical Advisor II in implementing the multi-modality supply chain
readiness process across the five target countries, working closely with
partners and relevant CRS functions.
Assist with planning, tracking, and documentation for the five priority focus
areas: updated specifications, strategic sourcing, prepositioned stocks, open
contracts, and continuous improvement.
Develop and maintain readiness tools, action plans, trackers, databases, and
continuous improvement plans, and monitor progress against agreed actions.
Market Analysis, Sourcing and Contracting
Conduct market, supplier, logistics, and service provider assessments,
including data collection, market pricing, costing exercises, and
verification of key assumptions.
Support the review and development of relief item specifications, kit
contents, packing requirements, and other supply chain readiness standards to
ensure suitability for local contexts and anticipated hazard scenarios.
Support the mapping, due diligence, prequalification, contracting readiness,
and ongoing management of suppliers and service providers, including
maintaining vendor databases, framework agreements, and supporting
documentation.
Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) Readiness
Support the assessment, contracting readiness, and activation protocols of
financial and mobile service providers for cash and voucher assistance (CVA),
including compliance, liquidity, data protection, reconciliation, complaints
handling, and failed-payment procedures.
Supply Chain Systems Strengthening
Support assessments of partner supply chain systems, including procurement,
contracting, warehousing, inventory management, transport, distribution,
quality assurance, and readiness for safe and accountable emergency
operations.
Support analysis of warehouse requirements, inventory systems, storage
practices, distribution readiness, transport options, and supply chain
constraints, and assist partners in addressing identified gaps.
Capacity Strengthening and Knowledge Management
Support partner coaching sessions, simulations, readiness tests, and
technical working sessions, including preparation of materials, meeting
coordination, documentation, follow-up actions, and consolidation of final
readiness packages and supporting tools.
QUALIFICATIONS
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, logistics, procurement,
business administration, international development, humanitarian assistance,
or a related field.
Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in humanitarian supply chain,
procurement, logistics, warehousing, inventory management, emergency
operations, or a related area.
Experience supporting market and supplier assessments, procurement planning,
vendor due diligence, logistics analysis, cost verification, or supply chain
documentation.
Experience developing or maintaining practical supply chain tools such as
item specifications, costing matrices, vendor databases, prequalification
files, procurement trackers, inventory tools, or readiness checklists.
Experience working with local partners or field teams through technical
support, coaching, training, or participatory planning.
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced degree or professional certification in supply chain management,
logistics, procurement, business administration, international development,
humanitarian assistance, or a related field.
Experience with CVA and financial or mobile service provider mapping,
assessment, contracting support, or activation protocols.
Knowledge of humanitarian procurement, donor compliance, safeguarding,
accountability, protection, and data-protection considerations relevant to
emergency supply chains.
Experience with remote-area, cross-border, customs, port, or multi-modal
logistics.
Experience working with Caritas organizations, faith-based partners, or other
local humanitarian actors.
Experience working across multiple countries or dispersed geographic areas;
experience in South America.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Working knowledge of emergency procurement, sourcing, contracting, vendor
management, transport, warehousing, inventory control, distribution
logistics, quality assurance, and supply chain risk management.
Strong research, data-management, analytical, and problem-solving skills,
with attention to accuracy and practical application.
Ability to organize complex information and translate assessment findings
into clear tools, trackers, action items, and draft recommendations.
Ability to work collaboratively with partners and multidisciplinary teams and
to receive and apply technical guidance.
Strong planning, coordination, documentation, and organizational skills, with
the ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines.
Strong interpersonal and professional communication skills and the ability to
work respectfully across cultures and operating contexts.
Proactive, resourceful, solution-oriented, culturally sensitive, and
results-focused.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, web-conferencing
platforms, and common information-management systems.
Required Languages: Professional fluency in English and Spanish is required.
Professional proficiency in Portuguese is strongly preferred; French is an
advantage for engagement across the target regions.
Travel: Must be willing and able to travel up to 50% in-country or regional
travel within South America. This is a remote position. Travel is often at very
short notice (within 48 hours) and for an average of four-six weeks (with a
maximum of two consecutive months under exceptional circumstances). Should have
the capacity to live and work in difficult/stressful environments and serve
wherever agency needs dictate.
Supervisory Responsibilities - No
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. Salary
and 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.