The posting
Job Description
NOTE: The above Pay Range only applies to applicants who perform the job within the US and to applicants classified by CRS as International Assignees. Staff hired on local payroll would follow the respective country pay range. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your anticipated work location during the candidate selection process.
Job Summary
The Advisor II, Inventory & Logistics Advisor provides technical and operational support across inventory, logistics, and transportation functions, with a focus on U.S. Government (USG) food aid and other donor‑funded commodities. The role supports country program supply chain teams in executing compliant shipment, inventory, and logistics processes and contributes to the effective day‑to‑day functioning of supply chain operations. The role supports country program supply chain staff and regional advisors to ensure compliant, efficient, and timely shipment, inventory management, and logistics operations, and contributes to continuous improvement of global supply chain practices.
Roles and Key Responsibilities
Shipping Administration
- Manage daily operations with freight forwarders, including bookings, tracking, and delivery monitoring.
- Support country programs with pipeline planning, call forwards, shipment tracking, and donor reporting.
- Monitor shipment performance, resolve freight and carrier issues, and escalate risks or delays as required.
- Manage freight documents, claims, penalties, and loss recovery per donor and commercial requirements.
- Monitor freight costs, budgets, and obligations, and support shipment coordination for food and non‑food commodities.
Technical Advice and Guidance
- Provide technical guidance on inventory, logistics, and transportation to country programs and regional advisors.
- Contribute to the development and revision of supply chain processes, tools, and guidance.
- Contribute to agency-wide physical inventory activities, support improvement of cycle count processes, and tangible asset tracking processes.
- Analyze supply chain data, audits, and ERP (Insight/Oracle) inventory data to identify gaps, risks, and improvement opportunities.
- Serve as a global point of contact for transportation and fleet management; provide surge and start-up support to country and regional supply chain teams as needed.
- Review inventory, logistics, and transportation sections in proposals, supporting planning and problem analysis workshops.
Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing
- Support capacity strengthening through training, mentoring, workshops, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
- Contribute to knowledge management and learning by documenting lessons learned, best practices, technical guidance, and capacity building events.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, information systems, business administration or related field.
- At least eight years of field experience in providing guidance on the storage, transportation, and distribution of food assistance, non-food items, or health products within emergency or development settings in developing countries, preferably with international non-profit organizations or comparable entities.
- Experience in managing and advising on a diverse size, complexity, and scope of operations.
- Experience with ERP systems
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in supply chain management, Information Systems, Business Administration, International Development (or equivalent work experience) or a related field.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Ability to work in a team setting
- High energy level and self-directed
- Ability to prioritize and deliver multiple projects on time
- Knowledge and experience with donor supply chain rules, regulations, and award requirements including but not limited to USG, EU, Global Fund, amongst others.
- Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
- Superior analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- Exceptional project management skills.
- Strong relationship management skills, results-oriented mindset with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision
- Strong presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills.
Required Languages: English required. Professional ability in Arabic, French or Spanish preferred.
Travel: Willing and able to travel internationally up to 25% including travel in challenging operating contexts.
Supervisory Responsibilities: None
Note: CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work and have established offices.
Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
- 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.
WHAT WE OFFER
CRS offers U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. Salary and benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role. CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.
About Us
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.
General Requirements
CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements. All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.
CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.
