Technical Advisor I, Supply Chain - EMPOWER/RAPID

Catholic Relief Services; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Catholic Relief Services in Baltimore seeks a Supply Chain Management Technical Advisor I to support the EMPOWER program partners in South America, strengthening supply chain and emergency readiness for rapid response. You will help partners set up multi-modality operations including in-kind, CVA, and expedited processes.

Responsibilities include coordinating readiness activities across five countries, developing tools and documentation, and guiding partners through market assessments,

Qualifications

• Required experience in supply chain operations and emergency preparedness.
• Ability to coordinate with multiple partners and donors.
• Strong documentation and planning skills.

Responsibilities

• Support Technical Advisor II in implementing the multi-modality supply chain readiness process across five target countries.
• Develop and maintain readiness tools, trackers, and action plans; monitor progress against actions.
• Conduct market, supplier, logistics, and service provider assessments with data collection and costing.
• Support contracting readiness and vendor management, including vendor databases and framework agreements.
• Assist CVA readiness, activation protocols, compliance, and data protection measures.
• Support partner coaching sessions, simulations, and knowledge management activities.

Skills

Supply chain readiness

Vendor management

Market analysis

CVA readiness

Job description

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.