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Specialist II, Commodities/Logistics & Food Safety

Description

Job Title: Specialist II, Commodities/Logistics & Food Safety

Dept/Location: Overseas Support Department/Public Resource Group, Baltimore

Reports to: Food Security Unit Team Leader

Req. #: D301

Background:

The Business Development Team (BDT) supports HQ and field staff to identify and develop new public donor funding relationships and increase the agency’s capacity to respond to funding opportunities from various public donors. The team members are collectively responsible for managing information to support proposal development; carrying out research on, and building relationships with, new donors and other potential growth partners; providing assistance to field programs in proposal development; and monitoring progress towards the unit’s objectives and the agency’s public growth agenda. Within the HQ BDT, the Food Security Unit (FSU) supports resource acquisition specifically in the area of food security, with an emphasis on high-value and strategic funding opportunities from USAID, USDA, the United Nations, and other major public donors. In so doing, the FSU collaborates closely with multiple units in CRS’ Overseas Operations division: country and regional staff (responsible for program development and implementation within CRS’ decentralized management structure); PQSD sectoral teams (responsible for supporting and promoting CRS technical excellence in core program areas); and PRG Strategic Issues Advisors (responsible for policy analysis and advocacy on key issues including global hunger). The FSU also supports the BDT’s broader relationships with other CRS divisions – HR, Finance, USOPS, and CGA – to guide and strengthen the agency’s resource acquisition efforts and maintain its position as a well-resourced, influential, and highly regarded actor in the fields of humanitarian aid and development.

Primary Function:

The Commodities/Logistics and Food Safety Specialist is responsible for supporting the development of commodities and logistics management plans related to food security programs of all types, and for ensuring that food safety issues are addressed in those plans as appropriate. The types of activities that will be covered include Title II programs, local and regional purchase, and agro-enterprise value chains among others. The design of systems and of training programs appropriate for each type of program can be critical to the success of the food security initiatives funded. The Specialist will travel to the field to assess existing infrastructure and systems, and to support the development of viable plans in the country programs and regions, including appropriate staffing, systems and standards.

Responsibilities:

1. Review and assess agency capacity in commodity management, logistics and food safety in preparation for program planning and proposal development for a range of food security opportunities. Identify minimum standards for systems and monitoring oversight for supply chain management, food safety and related issues.

2. Contribute to organization of in-house planning/design workshops in preparation for food security proposals; coordinate the input or involvement of HQ and field-based commodity and supply chain management staff.

3. Provide direct support to field and HQ staff in development and production of proposals, in an on-the-job training capacity. Contribute to project design frameworks and narratives, including resource requests and cost applications; ensure compliance with donor requirements, recognition of donor priorities, and adherence to technical and management quality standards related to supply chain, commodity management and food safety.

4. Serve as lead member of proposal teams for commodity management, logistics, pipeline planning, and relevant staffing components of highly strategic funding priorities, as agreed with HQ, regional, and CP senior managers.

5. Monitor relevant regulatory revisions, proposal guidelines, and application requirements for priority food security donors, together with OSD and overseas compliance staff. Ensure HQ and field staff involved in food security proposals are aware of these requirements and that technical proposal narratives adhere to them.

6. Track evolving trends, priorities, key issues and budget levels relevant to supply chain and food safety, including USG regulations governing commodities and materials, and assist CRS to stay current as appropriate.

7. Troubleshoot commodity problems for local/regional purchase, voucher, and distribution programs as appropriate. Facilitate provision of commodity management technical assistance to field programs, and contribute to analysis of opportunities and liabilities in relation to CRS commodity, supply chain, and food safety concerns.

8. May review and comment on commodity-related award agreements, including distribution, local purchase and monetization, in order to ensure compliance with relevant USG (or other donor) laws and regulations as well as agency policy.

Agency-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.

· Serves with Integrity

· Models Stewardship

· Cultivates Constructive Relationships

· Promotes Learning

Key Working Relationships:

INTERNAL: Overseas Support Department; Program Quality and Support Department; IT staff; Shipping; USOPS Policy and Legislative Affairs team; Regional and Country Program staff.

EXTERNAL: Representatives of public donors, commodity and, research and technical assistance organizations, and other influential actors in food security.

Qualifications:

1. Masters degree in Development, International Relations, or relevant field required.

2. Five plus years of international development experience, including at least 2 years in a developing country.

3. Design and implementation experience in food aid management required: commodity transport, storage, and handling; USG pipeline planning and resource request processes; food distribution and uses of food aid in both emergency and non-emergency contexts.

4. Strong familiarity with commodity management systems, supply chain, food safety issues related to food aid, local procurement and food processing required.

5. Familiarity with current funding and implementation policies, regulations, and priorities of USAID’s Office of Food for Peace required. Comparable familiarity with USDA, WFP, or other relevant donors preferred.

6. Experience designing and preparing Title II applications required.

7. Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.

8. Exceptional technical and non-technical writing ability in English.

9. Strong analytical skills.

10. Experience utilizing USAID/FFP and WFP commodity pipeline and distribution spreadsheets, resource request forms, budget templates, and other required proposal and reporting tools.

11. Demonstrated experience with and commitment to working in a team structure.

12. Knowledge of and comfort with Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet) required, experience with Access or other data base programs is a plus.

13. Ability and willingness to travel up to 40% of job time.

14. Knowledge of CRS programs, justice agenda and Catholic Social Teaching principles, a plus.

15. Fluency in English and French required.

This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, efforts, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

NOTE: All interested applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. at the time of application.

To apply, visit www.crs.org/about/careers