Technical Advisor I, Supply Chain - EMPOWER/RAPID

Catholic Relief Services · Baltimore

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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.

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.

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