Technical Advisor I, Supply Chain - EMPOWER/RAPID

CRS; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

CRS seeks a Supply Chain Management Technical Advisor I to support readiness and rapid emergency response within the RAPID project. You will assist the Technical Advisor II, helping EMPOWER partners across five South American countries strengthen supply chains for in-kind, CVA, and multi-modality operations.

Responsibilities include planning, market analysis, contracting readiness, CVA protocols, warehouse and inventory assessments, and knowledge sharing to ensure compliant, efficient and safe

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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.