CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES LESOTHO
FOOD FOR EDUCATION PROJECT
JOB OPPORTUNITY
Local and Regional Procurement (LRP) Coordinator
Reports to: Chief of Party
About Catholic Relief Services (CRS):
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to serve, 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.
Job summary:
The LRP Coordinator will be responsible for the overall management of the local and regional procurement activities of the anticipated food for education project. This includes all aspects of food supply chain management; involving producers and transporters, in collaboration with the government and other critical stakeholders, to strengthen and implement local and regional procurement mechanisms to ensure sufficient nutritious foods for participant schools in Lesotho. The position requires significant coordination with partners including the Ministries of Education and others at the national and regional levels as well as project management skills for timely start-up, implementation and close-out involving close financial and commodity management. The ideal candidate will have prior experience managing LRP and institutional capacity strengthening programs, or similar.
Roles and key responsibilities:
- Lead the planning of project activities in line with program targets for improved small-holder farmer productivity, improved child nutrition, increased government capacity, and stronger food market systems (processing, wholesaling, retailing, food service, and transportation) for school feeding;
- Work with the project team and partners to develop annual implementation plans; track progress on a regular basis to ensure timely completion of activities and prepare and share timely reports on project advances.
- Oversee timely procurement, efficient distribution, and delivery of food commodities.
- Provide leadership and oversight to project partners and vendors to accomplish objectives and meet sub-award or contract terms and work cooperatively and productively together.
- Strengthen linkages with existing and potential partner agencies, and Government of Lesotho, in collaboration with the Chief of Party.
- Ensure integration and coordination of program interventions with other USG funded programs in the project areas, and with other stakeholders for consistency and to avoid duplication.
- Ensure the delivery of quality training, technical assistance, and administrative and financial support to all partner agencies and government.
- Collaborate with the project stakeholders to ensure the project’s results are fully accomplished and meet expected technical quality standards for both food safety, quality assurance, and the CRS Project Management Standards.
- In collaboration with stakeholders, ensure that communities are active participants in the project implementation and that project commitments, regarding the involvement of the different community groups, are realized.
Preferred qualifications and experience
- Master’s degree in International Development, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Marketing, or related field
- Prior knowledge and experience in managing food supply chains, particularly LRP, highly desired
- Knowledge of informal food production, processing, and marketing systems, highly desired
- Minimum of 7 years’ experience with at least 4 years’ experience in management
- Previous experience managing USG funds
- Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team, yet self-motivated and accountable
- Strong computer skills
- Very good strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
- Very good relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
- Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams.
- Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.
Required languages
- Fluency in Sesotho and English.
Travel
- Must be willing and able to travel up to 15% of the time
Supervisory Responsibilities
- LRP Procurement Specialist
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
Submission:
Interested candidates should submit CV, cover letter and certified copies of academic qualifications, no later than October 14th, 2022 at 14:00 by email to [email protected] with the subject line: LRP COORDINATOR. APPLICANTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED IF THE SUBJECT LINE DOES NOT INDICATE THE POSITION. HARD COPY APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.
Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. 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.