Counterpart International, together with a diverse consortium of local partners and in collaboration with the Government of El Salvador, implements the Nourish & Flourish Program, a USDA-funded McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program in El Salvador. This five-year initiative aims to reach more than 44,000 students in the departments of San Miguel and Morazán by providing nutritious school meals, supporting infrastructure rehabilitation, empowering local communities to decentralize school feeding, promoting local food production, and strengthening local economies.

The Local Food Supply Chain and Distribution Officer will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing the local procurement of fresh food commodities (Fruits, vegetables and eggs), as well as the distribution logistics to participating schools within the project intervention areas in Morazán and Northern San Miguel, ensuring compliance with USDA regulations and internal project procedures.

The position will ensure that locally procured food commodities meet the required standards of quality, food safety, quantity, and timeliness necessary for the implementation of the school feeding program. The Officer will also coordinate with the technical team, Nutrition Specialist, MEL Management, Procurement, and suppliers to ensure effective food delivery and the availability of donor-required means of verification.

This is a full-time position based in San Miguel. Join us in making a lasting difference in the lives of children and their communities!

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Consolidate fresh food commodity requirements by school and age group, and calculate quantities by distribution period in coordination with the Nutrition Specialist.
• Prepare annual and periodic food requirement projections to support contracting and supply planning processes.
• Lead and coordinate local food procurement processes in compliance with internal policies and applicable USDA regulations.
• Identify, assess, and negotiate with local suppliers, ensuring compliance with technical, legal, sanitary, and donor eligibility requirements.
• Verify that suppliers maintain the certifications, permits, and documentation required to participate in project procurement processes.
• Conduct periodic monitoring of food prices and availability in local and regional markets to support procurement planning and ensure cost competitiveness and reasonableness.
• Analyze potential risks within the supply chain, including seasonal availability, supplier capacity, and logistical conditions that may affect deliveries.
• Design and coordinate the biweekly distribution logistics of fresh food commodities to schools within the intervention areas.
• Ensure that food commodities are delivered on time, in the required quantities, and according to approved project rations.
• Coordinate distribution routes, schedules, and delivery mechanisms with the technical team and Field Manager.
• Monitor food reception and distribution activities at school level, ensuring traceability and proper documentation control.
• Maintain traceability and documentation control systems related to procurement, delivery, reception, and distribution of fresh food commodities.
• Ensure proper reconciliation of distributed quantities, delivery documentation, and filing of supporting records in compliance with project and donor requirements.
• Collect, review, and consolidate means of verification related to food distribution and consumption for submission to the MEL team.
• Participate in technical and coordination meetings with partners, local authorities, schools, suppliers, and other relevant project stakeholders.
• Monitor supplier performance and manage issues related to supply, quality, delivery, or logistics.
• Coordinate corrective actions with suppliers and technical teams in response to delays, non-compliance, or incidents related to quality or distribution.
• Contribute to strengthening and developing local suppliers by providing guidance on technical and compliance requirements applicable to the project.
• Ensure compliance with USDA regulations, project guidelines, and organizational procedures related to food distribution and commodity management.
• Support monitoring activities, audits, and internal or external reviews related to the LRP component.
• Prepare periodic reports on procurement, distribution, consumption, deliveries, and compliance with indicators related to the food assistance component.