About CRS

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, 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. For nearly 60 years, CRS has taken the lead in responding to natural and man-made disasters affecting Ethiopia's most vulnerable communities. Moving beyond emergency response, CRS' disaster mitigation and recovery projects in drought and flood-prone areas have rebuilt individual and community assets through non-food aid in the form of agriculture, livestock, health, nutrition, and water and sanitation assistance. CRS's humanitarian work in Ethiopia also provides livelihoods support to farmers and entrepreneurs, promotes equality and inclusion, and mitigates the impact of COVID-19.

As part of CRS family, you will join the more than 5000 strong and vibrant individuals working globally to accomplish the mission of CRS. CRS/Ethiopia invites you, the qualified candidate, to apply for the following position.

Job Title:                        Commodity Risk and Compliance Officer

Band:                              VI

Required number:        One

Department:                 Operations

Employment Term:      Indefinite Term

Reports To:                   Commodity Risk and Compliance Manager

Country/Location:       CRS Ethiopia/Addis Ababa

Job Summary:

This key role helps reduce commodity risk and fraud and increase awareness and compliance which increases the effectiveness and ensures greater stewardship of donor resources. You will conduct review commodity management risk related activities for the country program (CP) and its partners. This includes commodity fraud allegation investigations; review of CRS and partner-level transactions and processes and supporting sub-recipient commodity management compliance assessments and reviews as well as training CRS PDP’s and partner staff on fraud detection and mitigation. You will provide a systematic and disciplined approach to the effectiveness of commodity risk management control and governance processes. You will possess a thorough knowledge of commodity accounting procedures and sound judgment. You will be accountable for the examination and evaluation of organization processes, reporting findings back to management regarding possible improvements and corrections. You will leverage your accounting knowledge and skills, your attention to detail and your commitment to stewardship while working in close collaboration with CRS colleagues and partners.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:  

• Review and revise commodity internal control systems and processes for CRS and partners, working under supervision of Commodity Risk and Compliance Manager.

• Ensure commodity management operations adhere to USAID commodity management standards. Conduct regular inspection and monitoring visits and ensure PDPs operational activities are prepared for external audit and donor reviews.

• Strong familiarity with the policies, rules, and regulations applicable for commodity management and handling, and auditing (Reg. 11, GACAP, Finance Policies, Accounting, etc.)

• Ensure the commodity handling, documentations and reporting at CRS PDPs and partners are in-line with the donor, CRS’s requirements.

• Manage commodity Fraud Allegation investigations ensuring timely closure, ensuring proactive communication with the Commodity/ Risk and Compliance Managers.

• Manage commodity compliance assessments for complex transactions.

• Identify commodity risks, weaknesses, anomalies, and challenges and propose solutions to address findings to improve control environment and system integrity.

• Design and facilitate commodity management trainings and institutional capacity strengthening plans for CRS and partners.

• Support internal and external audits and the coordination of action plans to close out audit findings.

• Provide guidance and advise on the implementation of the sub-recipient commodity and financial management policy.

• Inform colleagues and partners of the purpose and content of the commodity risk & compliance function, defining risk, and explaining findings and recommendations. 

• Assess commodity risk & compliance controls and perform risk assessments to determine the level of testing required. 

• Act as central point of contact for commodity risk & compliance related activities as defined by the Commodity Risk & Compliance Manager for the adequacy of internal controls, compliance with applicable laws and policies.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.  

• Integrity

• Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Builds Relationships

• Develops Talent

• Strategic Mindset

• Accountability & Stewardship

Job Requirements

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Basic Qualifications

• MA/MSC Degree or BA/BSC degree in in accounting, Business Administration or other relevant fields with 2 years' relevant experience for MA/MSC or 4 years' relevant experience for BA/BSC degree.

• Proven experience on audit, commodity risk and compliance management.

• Progressive responsibility in commodity operations and/or programming, ideally with an international organization.

• Excellent audit report writing.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong analytical skills with ability to detect and report inconsistencies.

• Accuracy and completeness with great attention to detail.

• Good relationship management skills.

• Ability to make sound judgment.

• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics.

• Proactive, resourceful, and results oriented.

• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Knowledge of audit standards and compliance regulations and familiarity with international standards for internal control and commodity risk and compliance management.

• Accounting or audit certification.

• Familiarity with Oracle 

How to Apply

You should fill the application form through this link: You should fill the application form through this link: CLICK HERE and attach your up-to-date CV on / before the application deadline July 27, 2023. You will be contacted only if selected for written exam/interview. Phone solicitations will not be accepted. These job opportunities are open to Ethiopian nationals only.

CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. 

** Qualified women & persons with disability are highly encouraged to apply**

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer