Description

ABOUT MERCY CORPS

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

Now, and for the future. 

The Program / Department / Team

Mercy Corps is present in the DRC since 2007 with a current workforce of more than 300 national and expatriate employees and operational presence in Goma and Beni (North Kivu Province), in Bunia (Ituri Province), and in Tshikapa, Kalonda West and Ndjoko Punda (Kasai Province), and representation in the capital city, Kinshasa. As a leading NGO in DRC working with more than 40 partners in 2024, Mercy Corps reached 2.12 million people in North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri and Kasai with integrated programs that ensured equitable access to improved water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in humanitarian and development settings; supported a comprehensive, rapid response to ongoing humanitarian needs; promoted economic and livelihood development to strengthen food security and resilience; as well as institutional capacity strengthening and social cohesion to foster peace and good governance. 

THE POSITION

The Commodity Manager is responsible for the overall management of Title II commodities as part of the Graduating to Sustainable Agriculture, Income, Nutrition and Food Security (GAINS) Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) funded by the Office of Global Food Security of the U.S. Department of State. The position plays a critical role in managing the receipt, use, and tracking of U.S. food commodities aimed at ensuring that vulnerable households and communities build and maintain food, nutrition, and economic security. 

The Commodity Manager plans, manages, and provides technical and operational oversight of all supply chain activities—including procurement, logistics, transportation, warehousing, distribution, and reporting—to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of goods and services to poor and vulnerable populations. The role requires the knowledge and experience to anticipate and manage supply chain needs and challenges and to introduce improvement solutions. 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy and Vision

• Prepare the strategy for food aid program and operations, including but not limited to annual needs estimates, calls for proposals, value chain analysis, partnership agreements related to food aid activities, and commodity-related operational plans.

• Establish accurate commodity tracking systems, manage risks (including fraud and corruption), and ensure accountability throughout the supply chain. 

Program and Operations Management

• Manage the determination of procurement and logistics service needs, desired specifications, delivery schedules, and procurement strategies, ensuring appropriate coordination and communication.

• Manage annual estimates, tenders, and the commodity pipeline for the entire food aid program.

• Coordinate with freight forwarders, customs clearing agents, independent surveyors, and domestic and cross-border transporters to ensure shipments are properly handled and executed.

• Ensure accountability and transparency of all supply chain operations in compliance with donor regulations, international and local standards and requirements, and Mercy Corps policy.

• Manage logistics infrastructure, storage facilities, and transport resources. Supervise implementation of systems and procedures for stock and commodity transport, storage, and distribution, as well as vehicle management, ensuring proper handling and protection of goods. Ensure implementation of relevant safety and security protocols.

• Manage risks, including fraud and corruption, and ensure accountability throughout the supply chain.

• Oversee inventory control and comprehensive tracking and recording systems throughout the supply chain cycle, from request to final delivery. Ensure timely preparation and submission of all required reports.

• Conduct regular monitoring and evaluation of commodity management aspects and share recommendations to improve the quality of commodity-related operations.

• Ensure compliance with Mercy Corps’ commodity management and accounting system through periodic visits to all commodity warehouses, verifying adherence to best warehouse practices, reviewing warehouse records, conducting physical counts, etc.

• Ensure commodity reports comply with donor requirements and that all required reports are accurately prepared and submitted. 

Team Management

• Provide commodity management training to commodity staff, commodity organizers, local NGOs, and institutions on receiving, dispatching, storage, and handling techniques; distribution procedures and policies; documentation; loss and claims processing; disposal of unfit commodities; accounting; and reporting related to their program.

• Create and maintain a work environment based on mutual respect, where accountability is encouraged, alternative viewpoints are welcomed, excellence is pursued, and professional growth is supported. Foster a strong team spirit.

• Promote and instill a focus on capacity building, deepen understanding and ownership of individual roles, and strengthen performance management systems through implementation of a comprehensive staff training plan.

• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback through regular one-on-one meetings and performance evaluations.

• Structure, recruit, and onboard team members, ensuring the team structure reflects the project’s gender equality vision and that staff are set up for success and familiar with agency systems, procedures, and protocols.

• Provide ongoing supervision, leadership, support, guidance, and mentoring directly to program staff.

• Support the development of national staff in line with program objectives, enabling national staff to increasingly make decisions and assume management roles.

Financial, Operations, and Compliance Management

• Represent Mercy Corps with governments, donors, NGOs, and at other relevant events, in close coordination with the Country Director and Programs Director.

• Ensure close coordination and information sharing with consortium partners, sub-awardees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.

• Establish and maintain relationships with communities, partners, and local government. 

Influence and Representation

• Actively participate in coordination meetings with relevant clusters and working groups in Kasai Province.

• Demonstrate flexibility, resilience, and the ability to build positive relationships and remain calm under pressure.

• Maintain high ethical standards and treat all people with respect and dignity.

• Be responsible for coordinating activities with local government, potential local partners, key stakeholders, and other international NGOs. 

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.

• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.

• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY 

ACCOUNTABILITY

ACCOUNTABILITY TO PARTICIPANTS AND STAKEHOLDERS

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION & TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant academic field (e.g., supply chain management, food science, etc.) and seven years of relevant professional experience, at least five of which must be field-based.

• Extensive experience managing in-kind food supply chains, from point of origin to food distribution points and final beneficiaries in fragile contexts.

• Experience ensuring product quality and safety; warehouse management (including fumigation and testing); transport coordination (port, road, rail, etc.); monitoring and reporting.

• Specific Title II experience strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to network and engage with necessary stakeholders to manage food commodity supply chains.

• Prior experience working in the DRC is preferred.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills; strong multitasking, organizational, and prioritization abilities.

• Fluency in written and spoken French required.

• Professional proficiency in English highly preferred.

• Experience with U.S. Government Title II regulations, procedures, and systems for program administration, management, and reporting is desirable.

• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment. 

SUCCESS FACTORS

• The successful Commodity Manager will demonstrate strong technical leadership in commodity and supply chain management and a proven ability to manage complex, donor‑funded food assistance operations in fragile and resource‑constrained environments.

• He/she will possess deep expertise in Title II commodity regulations and USAID compliance requirements, ensuring that all aspects of procurement, transportation, warehousing, handling, distribution, and reporting meet donor, organizational, and international standards. The individual will proactively identify compliance risks and implement practical mitigation measures to prevent losses, misuse, fraud, or diversion.

• The Commodity Manager will be highly detail‑oriented and systems‑focused, with exceptional capability to establish, manage, and continuously improve commodity tracking, inventory control, and reporting systems across multiple locations. Accuracy, timeliness, and transparency in pipeline management and reporting will be critical success indicators in this role.

• He/she will demonstrate strong operational planning and coordination skills, effectively aligning commodity pipelines with program implementation timelines and working closely with procurement, finance, program teams, freight forwarders, transporters, warehouse staff, and partners to ensure uninterrupted supply and efficient delivery to final distribution points.

• The successful candidate will show sound judgment and decisiveness in high‑pressure environments, maintaining continuity of operations amidst logistical constraints, infrastructure limitations, security challenges, and changing program demands. They will be able to anticipate supply chain bottlenecks and implement adaptive solutions to minimize delays and loses.

• He/she will be an effective people manager and capacity builder, capable of training, mentoring, and supervising commodity and logistics staff while strengthening partners’ compliance, reporting, and warehouse management practices. The ability to instill a culture of accountability, documentation discipline, and adherence to standard operating procedures will be essential.

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills are required, enabling the Commodity Manager to translate complex logistical data into clear operational decisions and actionable recommendations for senior management and donors.

• The successful Commodity Manager will be a clear and professional communicator, able to prepare high‑quality reports, interact confidently with donors, auditors, government counterparts, and partners, and represent Mercy Corps effectively in coordination forums and supply‑chain–related working groups.

• Finally, the individual will demonstrate high integrity, ethical conduct, and commitment to humanitarian principles, ensuring that commodities reach intended beneficiaries safely, efficiently, and with dignity, while upholding Mercy Corps’ standards of accountability to donors and affected communities. 

LIVING CONDITIONS / ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Mercy Corps offers a competitive benefits package for positions based in Kasai Province, which is an unaccompanied and hardship duty station. Tshikapa, the capital of Kasai Province, is a remote provincial city with a limited support infrastructure and a small but active humanitarian presence. Despite its population size of nearly one million people, services and amenities are constrained, and living conditions require a high degree of adaptability and self‑reliance. 

Access to electricity and water is inconsistent, even in the city center, and generally depends on generator‑based systems. Housing options are limited, and access to hotels, restaurants, shops, and banking services is restricted and variable, with availability subject to outages, supply interruptions, and security considerations. 

Healthcare services in Tshikapa are basic and limited. A small number of hospitals provide essential care; however, diagnostic and specialist services are minimal. Medical evacuation to Kinshasa or other regional hubs is required for serious illness or injury, and access may be affected by weather, transport availability, or security restrictions. 

Telecommunications infrastructure is unreliable. Mobile phone coverage exists but can be inconsistent, and internet connectivity is often slow, unstable, or unavailable for extended periods. Daytime temperatures frequently range between 30–35°C, contributing to challenging working and living conditions, particularly during field travel. 

Mercy Corps field offices and program areas may experience heightened security risks and limited freedom of movement. The security situation is closely monitored, and staff must strictly adhere to security protocols. Travel within the country generally requires air transport, and access to remote field sites can be logistically complex and time‑consuming. 

Field site visits are a core component of the position and may involve travel to remote locations with very basic living conditions, limited services, and rudimentary accommodations. Consumer goods are available in limited quantities, subject to supply disruptions, and are often significantly more expensive than in major urban centers. 

Team members deployed to Tshikapa represent Mercy Corps at all times, both during and outside of working hours. Staff are expected to demonstrate professionalism, resilience, cultural sensitivity, and sound judgment at all times, and to comply fully with local laws and customs, as well as Mercy Corps’ policies, procedures, and values. 

ONGOING LEARNING

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development. 

TEAM ENGAGEMENT AND EFFECTIVENESS 

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together. 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law. 

SAFEGUARDING & ETHICS

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. By applying for this role an applicant confirms that they have not previously violated an employer’s sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation and abuse, child safeguarding or trafficking policy. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis. 

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected]).