Commodity Operations SPO (Darfur) – CRS

Job Description

Organization	Catholic Relief Services
Job Title:	Commodity Operations SPO
Supervisor	Commodity Operations Manager II
Duty Station	Sudan, Central Darfur- El Geneina
Closing Date:	06 Nov 2024

About CRS:

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. 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.

Duties and responsibilities:

Background:

CRS Sudan will be implementing an emergency food security program to address acute food security shocks in Sudan. The project will serve as a food pipeline for affected populations in Central and West Darfur.

Job Summary: 

Under the supervision of the commodities operations manager, the commodities operations SPO will oversee the importation, storage, tracking and management commodities for the Program. The Commodities officer will work with both the commodity officer of accounting and reporting, and the logistics officer of operations to coordinate the commodities storage, handling and accounting. This position will need to coordinate with and maintain good relationships with program partners to ensure that the activities are successful.

Job Responsibilities:

• Assist the commodity Operations manager in overall management of daily activities, project resources and staff supervision. 
• Organize and lead the implementation of all assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices. 
• Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle. Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and guiding partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences. Analyse implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies and/or gaps to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules. 
• Coordinate and oversee working relationships with all local project stakeholders and serve as the liaison between them and the project team to mobilize local actors and promote project activities and impact. 
• Supervise and perform ad-hoc inspections of various processes and resources at project sites to ensure timely project activities implementation and adherence to established process standards and procedures. Ensure proper tracking of resource use for project activities through periodic budget reviews and follow-up with and assistance to implementing partner. 
• Support and coordinate capacity building and technical support activities to ensure assigned project activities are implemented per project guidelines and standards. 
• Coordinate provision of any logistical and administrative support to staff and partners. 
• Ensure project documentation for assigned activities is complete with all required documents and is filed per agency and donor requirements. Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and documentation of case studies and promising practices. 
•  Oversee the management of the warehouse in the location, support all food program activities, including PHL, GFA, NUT and FFA, in the project locations in Center Darfur. 
• Participated in preparation of the monthly food distribution and M&E reports. 
• Prepared the weekly distribution report and participate in the weekly food coordination meetings. 
• Prepared the monthly field trips plan for project staff according to the specific assignment given each month. 
• Supervise the work of the distributors, commodity accountant, Food Monitors and oversee the receipt and distribution of commodities. 
• Oversee all matters regarding food distribution with local community leaders, Food Relief Committees (FRC), Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) and government officials. 
• Train Project Officers, distributors, and Food Monitors on the agreed distribution methodology. Supervise Food Project drivers.

Minimum Qualification, Skills and Experience Required:

Basic qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in management, international development, social science, related field 
• Minimum 3 years’ relevant experience for an international NGO. 
• Additional education may substitute for some experience. 
• Strong familiarity with the policies, rules, and regulations applicable for commodity management and handling, and auditing (Reg. 11, GACAP, Finance Policies, Accounting, etc.) preferred. 
• Experience working with partners, participatory action planning and community engagement. 
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data preferred. 
• Strong report writing skills. 
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). 

Required Languages – Fluent written and spoken English is required; fluent written and spoken Arabic is preferred.

Travel – Must be able and willing to travel in Sudan up to 30%, including remote field locations.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Proven skills, knowledge and experience in USAID program areas of emergency food distribution, program monitoring and evaluation, commodity management, consortium management, logistics.
• Minimum three years’ experience in a senior position handling commodity management, consortium management, logistics.
• Exceptional English writing skills and the ability to capture, synthesize and report out consortium learning to CRS and the broader food security community.
• Demonstrated ability to work both strategically and at an appropriate level of detail to lead a complex program and consortium, excellent analytical skills.
• Excellent partnership skills and the ability to interact effectively with donors, collaborating agencies, and local partners demonstrated through close work experience with international PVOs.
• Demonstrated capacity to understand the current best practices and challenges while coordinating to implement program strategies through a participatory approach.
• Computer literate, with strong knowledge of MS Office applications, spread sheets, database programs, and statistical software packages.
• Personal qualities include flexibility, persistence, and ability to work well with people and cross-cultural skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
• Experience in successful commodity management and clear knowledge of donor rules and regulations related to food commodity management.
• Experience using MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, and knowledge sharing networks

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Supervisory Responsibilities: Distribution team and Commodity accountants.
Internal: Chief (and Deputy) of Party, Commodity Operations Manager, Dispatch PM I, Distribution teams and partner Program Managers.

External: Primarily Program Managers of Consortium Members and Technical service providing agencies
Others consist of Consortium members, USAID, GoE, other stakeholders.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. 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. 

• 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.

If applicable: Work Conditions/Environment Conditions

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

 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. 

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

CRS’s emphasis on family values supports benefits, including maternity and paternity leave, policies that promote exclusive breastfeeding, the availability of a crèche at

the office, and flexible working hours where possible.

(The position is contingent on donor funding).

How to apply

Submission location: – 

If interested, please submit cover letter, resume and copies of your education and work certificates to CRS El Geneina Office. Ensure that your cover letter or resume has a phone number where you can be reached.