Technical Advisor I, Supply Chain - EMPOWER/RAPID

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.

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.

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.