Advisor II, Procurement Contracts - (US Only)

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, Procurement Contracts serves as Global Procurement’s technical subject matter expert providing technical advice, capacity building on procurement contracting in line with CRS procurement policies, procedures, donor requirements, and applicable legal and compliance standards. The Advisor works closely with global, regional, and country stakeholders to strengthen procurement contracting practices across the agency and support high-quality programming through effective risk management and contract administration. The role also contributes to the development of complex and strategic agreements and supports the development of agency-wide contracting standards, templates, guidance, tools, and good practices. Through advisory support, knowledge management, and capacity strengthening, the role improves the quality, consistency, efficiency, and risk profile of procurement contracts across CRS global operations.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

Contract Strategy, Development and Negotiation

• Leads the development, review, and negotiation of complex, high-value, high-risk, and strategic procurement-related contracts, including framework agreements and contracts for goods, professional and consulting services, transportation and logistics, construction, technology, and other categories.
• Partner with requestors, procurement teams, technical stakeholders to develop, clear scopes of work, deliverables, performance standards, and contractual requirements.
• Advise stakeholders on appropriate contract structures, risk allocation, service levels, warranties, insurance, indemnities, liability, intellectual property, data protection, remedies, termination rights, and other key commercial terms.
• Support complex procurement activities through review of solicitation documents, evaluation requirements, negotiation strategies, award documentation, and contract modifications, and dispute resolution.
• Serve as technical escalation point for complex contractual concerns while maintaining clear coordination with Office of General Counsel (OGC) on matters requiring legal advice or representation.

Risk Management and Compliance

• Ensure procurement contracts align with CRS policies and procedures, donor requirements, applicable law, and required organizational approvals.
• Determine when approved contract templates are appropriate, and when other subject matter expertise is required. Work closely with OGC, GRC, Finance, Safeguarding, GKIM, and other functions to address specialized legal, compliance, and risk considerations and clarify roles for review and decision-making.
• Monitor changes in donor, regulatory, and organizational requirements and work with OGC to incorporate them into contracting standards, templates, and guidance.

Contracting System Strengthening

• Contribute to the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of CRS procurement contracting templates, clause libraries, playbooks, decision tools, and review guidance.
• Serve as a technical advisor and escalation point for complex procurement contracting questions across country programs, regions, and headquarters departments.
• Analyze recurring contractual risks, disputes, exceptions, audit findings, and implementation challenges to identify systemic improvements and strengthen organizational contracting practices.

Capacity Strengthening

• Deliver training, guidance, coaching, and practical tools on contract development, negotiation, risk management, and contract administration.
• Build contracting capability among procurement staff, program teams, budget holders, and other stakeholders, with support tailored to differing operational contexts and risk levels.
• Promote agency-wide understanding of contractual obligations, accountability, and good contract management practices.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to identify, explain, and mitigate complex contractual and compliance risks while enabling timely program implementation.
• Ability to interpret donor, regulatory, policy, and contractual requirements and translate them into practical guidance and contract provisions.
• Excellent analytical skills and sound judgement, including the ability to distinguish commercial, operational, compliance, and legal issues and escalate appropriately.
• Strong facilitation, consultation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build consensus across functions, geographies, and levels of seniority.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex requirements clearly to non-specialist audiences.
• Ability to influence without direct authority and serve as a credible, service-oriented technical advisor.
• Computer proficiency with the ability to utilize MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint as well as other platforms.

Required Languages: Fluent written and spoken English. French, Spanish, or Arabic are preferred but not required. 

Travel: Must be willing and able to travel up to 10%. 

Supervisory Responsibilities: No

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in law, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Public Administration, International Development, or a related field. Equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in contract management, commercial contracting, procurement contracting, legal advisory support, supply chain management, or a related field.
• Experience working cross-functionally with legal counsel, risk and compliance functions, technical experts, and operational stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience drafting, reviewing, negotiating, administering, and closing out complex, high-value, or high-risk contracts for goods and services.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Advanced degree in Law, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• Professional certification in contract management, procurement, supply chain management, or a related discipline.
• Experience in an international development, humanitarian, non-profit, or multinational organization.
• Experience with major institutional donor requirements, including the U.S. Government, European Union, United Nations, and World Bank.

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.

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.