Technical Advisor II, Supply Chain EMPOWER RAPID

NOTE: This is a remote position; CRS will only consider candidates who are based in countries where we have existing offices.
Job Summary

The Supply Chain Management Technical Advisor II will provide technical support, accompaniment, and training to EMPOWER partners in South America to strengthen supply chain and operational preparedness for rapid emergency response.

The Supply Chain Management Technical Advisor II will work with EMPOWER partners to improve their supply chain preparedness and response capacities so that can set up and operate multiple modality supply chains (in kind and CVA) in an expedited manner.

This includes the following five priority focuses:

1) Updated specifications --Adjusting relief item/kit specifications and CVA transfer amounts to match latest technical recommendations, that are appropriate to the context, and which are available/possible in the local market;

2) Strategic sourcing --Exploring local markets to identify best output value suppliers (quality, delivery and price) for key relief items/kits and cash voucher assistance modalities (via financial and mobile service providers);

3) Prepositioned stocks-- Establishing prepositioned stocks of key relief items in countries where it is hard to find them locally to the desired specifications (i.e. stored value cards, vouchers, humanitarian grade tarps, light and charge solar lanterns, and water purification tablets/satchels);

4) Open contracts --Setting up indefinite quantity contracts (open contracts/framework agreements) with best suppliers identified for key relief items/kits and CVA modalities; and

5) Continuous improvement —Supporting partners to identify ways they can improve their procurement, inventory management, logistics and distribution processes, tools and capabilities so they can enhance efficiency and responsiveness.

The role will work closely with partners and relevant CRS teams to identify and close priority bottlenecks, test readiness systems, and enable partners to procure, contract, transport, store, and distribute assistance quickly, responsibly, and in compliance with applicable standards.
Roles and Key Responsibilities

- Lead the multiple modality supply chain set up process in all five target countries in close coordination with partner supply chain teams focusing on the whole supply chain from procurement to inventory management, and then planning for logistics and distributions when responses activated.

- Make sure that all five priority focuses are executed as intended: updated specifications, strategic sourcing, prepositioned stocks, open contracts, and continuous improvement.

- Support programming team with market and logistics analysis, hotspot prioritization, stakeholder mapping, and development of a workplan and deliverable calendar.

- Work with technical leads and partners to establish minimum quality standards, packing guidance, replenishment requirements, quality-control processes, and substitution rules.

- Validate priority kit contents against local market availability, cultural appropriateness, hazard scenarios, packaging needs, and branding and visibility expectations.

- Collect and verify market prices and develop country-, hot spot-, remote-area- specific kit costing matrices that account for transport, handling, storage, customs or importation, last-mile delivery, supplier lead times, and other key cost drivers.

- Map, assess, conduct due diligence on, and support prequalification of suppliers, transporters, warehouse providers, packaging providers, and other service providers, including backup suppliers and alternative sourcing options for key items.

- Develop and maintain vendor databases and prequalified vendor lists organized by country, hotspot, sector, commodity group, and service type, with clear ownership, review frequency, renewal dates, and documentation requirements.

- Support partners and relevant CRS functions to prepare or update open contracts, framework agreemen