Job Description
Job Title: Supply Chain Manager- ITN Distribution Project, DRC
Job Location: Lubumbashi or Kinshasa or alternate location, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Job Type: Full Time, regular
Reports To: Deputy Chief of Party
Note: This position is contingent upon approved funding by the donor.
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.
Country Context
CRS has been supporting program activities in the DRC since 1961 and has long-standing relationships throughout the country with church and non-church partners and communities. The DRC country program has a diverse funding base with projects in nutrition, community health, OVC, food security and agricultural livelihoods, microfinance (SILC), WASH, and emergency response. CRS/DRC currently has more than 170 national and 20 international employees and an annual budget of over USD 24 million.
An estimated 97% of the population of the DRC lives in zones with stable malaria transmission lasting 8 to 12 months per year. Malaria is among the principal causes of morbidity and mortality, accounting for more than 40% of all outpatient visits and for 19% of deaths among children under five. Given that the majority of the population lives in high transmission zones, it has been estimated that the DRC accounts for 11% of all malaria cases in sub-Saharan Africa.
Job Summary
This position is for an anticipated 5-year USAID-funded Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) distribution project, which will provide distribution of ITNs alongside activities to ensure their use.
As Supply Chain Manager, you will plan, manage, and provide technical and operational oversight of all supply chain activities — including procurement, logistics, transportation, and warehousing – to ensure effective and efficient delivery of goods to the poor and vulnerable. Your knowledge and experience will allow you to anticipate and manage supply chain needs and challenges, and introduce improvement solutions, as you apply the principles of stewardship, integrity, transparency, and accountability.
Roles and Key Responsibilities
- Collaborate with direct reports and programming leads to strengthen the pipeline and supply chain management plan. Manage the determination of procurement and logistics service requirements, desired specifications and delivery schedules, and how sourcing strategies are defined, ensuring proper coordination and communication.
- Ensure accountability and transparency of all supply chain operations in compliance with CRS and donor regulations, and international and local standards and requirements.
- Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports. Monitor and assess performance to ensure adequate capacity for successful support of high-quality programming.
- Lead design and implementation of a strategic sourcing and procurement process to identify, assess, select and contract suppliers that will deliver the maximum value for money to the organization. In close coordination with the procurement team oversee relationships with key suppliers and assess supplier performance.
- Manage logistical infrastructure, storage facilities and transportation resources. Oversee application of systems and procedures for inventory and commodity transportation, warehousing, and distribution, as well as for vehicle management to ensure proper handling and safeguarding of assets. Ensure related safety and security protocols are implemented.
- Oversee inventory control and the management of comprehensive goods tracking and record keeping systems throughout the whole supply chain cycle, from time of request until time of delivery. Ensure timely preparation and submission of various reports.
- Create and maintain the proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for the sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to small deficiencies. Provide capacity strengthening guidance, which includes cross-departmental learning.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain or other relevant degree required.
- Minimum of 5 years work experience in supply chain/logistics/procurement management with progressive responsibilities, preferably with experience working for programming interventions in malaria prevention and control, including ITN promotion, supply chain, and net distribution campaigns.
- Knowledge of and experience with various public donors’ regulations. Understanding of the Federal Acquisitions Regulations (FAR), WHO regulations and Generally Accepted Commodity Accountability Principles (GACAP)
- Knowledge of national and international import/export legislation and common customs regulations, with experience in the DRC being an advantage.
- Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
- Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio) and information management systems. Experience with ERP systems is a plus.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s Degree in Supply Chain, other relevant Master’s strongly, or equivalent experience strongly preferred. Professional certification(s) in supply chain a plus.
Required/Desired Foreign Language English fluency and Advanced French proficiency
(verbal and written ability)
Travel Required Position will be based in Lubumbashi, Kinshasa, or an alternate DRC location with up to 40% travel to field sites
Key Working Relationships
Supervisory –
Internal — Country Representative, Deputy Country Representative for Programming, Head of Programming,
External — Consortium Members/Project Team
Personal Skills
- Strong relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings
- Good strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment
- Able to research, learn and implement new technologies quickly
- Good technical writing skills
- Presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
- Proactive, resourceful and results-orientedAgency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)
- 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.
- Integrity
- Continuous Improvement & Innovation
- Builds Relationships
- Develops Talent
- Strategic Mindset
- Accountability & Stewardship
What we offer
CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, generous retirement savings plan and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.
***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.
Equal Opportunity Employer
More Information
- Job City Kinshasa
