Specialist II, Procurement (Consultancies and Services)

Job Summary

The Procurement Specialist II coordinates and performs procurement activities and processes, with a primary focus on services and consultancies, to acquire consultant services in support of Global and Country Programs (CP) and high-quality programming for the poor and vulnerable. The Specialist helps ensure timely, compliant, and cost-effective procurement outcomes by independently coordinating assigned procurements, analyzing procurement requirements and risks, and providing procurement guidance to stakeholders in support of global and CP operations

Roles and Key Responsibilities

Procurement Execution and Sourcing

• Coordinate and execute assigned moderately complex to complex procurement activities, including supplier research, solicitation processes, bid evaluations, negotiation activities, award documentation, and contract or purchase order preparation, in accordance with CRS policy, donor requirements, and applicable regulations.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and audit-ready procurement files that document procurement actions, decisions, approvals, modifications, and compliance requirements throughout the procurement lifecycle.

Contract and Procurement Administration

• Review contracts and purchase orders for completeness, accuracy, and compliance; assess contract terms, procurement risks, supplier concerns, and implementation issues, and escalate matters requiring management, legal, donor, or technical review.
• Coordinate with requestors, contract owners, suppliers, and other stakeholders to support contract administration, including modifications, implementation issues, supplier performance concerns, and procurement-related actions required during contract or purchase order execution and closeout.
• Review and document proposed changes to scope, pricing, schedules, terms, or supplier obligations, determine required procurement actions, and support the processing of contract amendments or purchase order modifications.

Stakeholder Support and Procurement Guidance

• Advise requestors, budget holders, and country program colleagues on procurement requirements, sourcing options, lead times, market considerations, documentation standards, and contractual considerations to support informed procurement decisions.
• Provide procurement support to country programs through remote or in-person assistance to address workload surges, staffing gaps, recruitment transitions, and other procurement needs requiring additional procurement capacity.

Procurement Analysis and Reporting

• Support procurement reporting by providing updates, issue summaries, risk information, and analysis of recurring procurement needs, bottlenecks, documentation gaps, and supplier-related concerns.
• Identify opportunities and provide recommendations on potential sourcing strategies, including framework agreements or blanket purchase agreements, where repeated needs or high-effort procurements may benefit from a more efficient approach.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proficient in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). 
• Working knowledge of various donor procurement regulations (e.g. USAID, EU, UN)
• Working knowledge of international and national procurement regulations and local market conditions.
• Working knowledge of contract terms, procurement principles, and supplier engagement practices, with the ability to identify procurement risks, compliance concerns, and contractual issues.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to review procurement documentation, contracts, and procurement files for completeness, accuracy, audit readiness, and compliance with applicable requirements.
• Strong planning and coordination skills and ability to prioritize competing priorities effectively
• Demonstrated strong analytical skills with ability to make independent judgment and decisions
• Ability to interpret procurement requirements and communicate procurement processes, sourcing considerations, contractual implications, and procurement risks to a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented with focus on meeting customer needs
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills

Required Languages: English required. French, Spanish or Arabic is highly desirable.

Travel: Be willing and able to travel up to 30%.

Supervisory Responsibilities: No

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in relevant degree or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 5 years work experience in procurement/purchasing management, administration, preferably with an international organization.
• Proven experience reviewing and negotiating contracts.
• Experience leading services and consultancy procurements, including statement of work review, evaluation criteria development, consultant or firm selection processes, cost reasonableness analysis, contract documentation, and management of procurement risks related to scope, deliverables, timelines, and intellectual property

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certification 
• Experience with database management systems (e.g. MS Access)

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.  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.