Logistics Officer

CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

Supply Chain management is at the core of WFP’s humanitarian response and therefore an area of constant strategic focus. Western & Central Africa is a region with a very high number of operations, of which many are extremely complex and require logistics support.

In addition, WACARO is actively engaged in supporting the Sudan emergency response, including through the opening of a critical supply lines from West (Nigeria) and Central Africa (Cameroon) to Sudan through Chad. The situation in the region is constantly evolving thus requiring frequent review of supply chain networks across the region.

With growing humanitarian needs and more and more access and logistics challenges, the JPO is expected to support country offices in the region in the planning and execution of their supply chain operations.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Title of Post: JPO Logistics Officer

Grade: P2

Supervisor: Regional Head of Logistics

Unit: Field Support Unit

Division/Country Office: Western and Central Africa Regional Office (WACARO)

Duty Station: Dakar, Senegal

Duration of assignment: Two years

The JPO Programme is sponsored by governments and designed to provide young professionals with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in international development and humanitarian work, while contributing to WFP’s mission.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Head of Logistics, the JPO will have the following responsibilities:

• Contribute to the development of logistics plans and processes, ensuring compliance with broader logistics policies and WFP standards.
• Support or manage logistics projects or operational activities, adhering to standard processes and contributing, directly or indirectly, to the effective delivery of food assistance to beneficiaries.
• Gather information on the overall logistics situation in the region, including comprehensive data on logistics procedures and bottlenecks from various humanitarian agencies and other relevant sources.
• Collect and analyse data through research and networking with colleagues to recommend actions to senior staff to improve the performance of local logistics operations.
• Contribute to the consolidation and preparation of operational pipeline planning and manage operational aspects of the supply chain (procurement, shipping, port operations), including checking document and customs clearance readiness, managing loading and discharging operations, and contracting relevant transport, warehouse, and logistics services.
• Provide technical support and guidance to other Country Office units, services, and divisions, particularly in emergency response situations, to strengthen the supply chain, particularly in the area of logistics.
• Collate data and contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting, including Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), supporting a WFP-wide perspective on logistics activities for informed decision-making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
• Support capacity building of WFP staff and partners to ensure efficient and effective delivery of food assistance (e.g., through the design and review of training materials).
• Identify and cultivate productive relationships with logistics colleagues and staff within the area of assignment to support an integrated approach to food assistance.
• Follow emergency logistics preparedness practices and participate in the preparation of Country Office Logistics Capacity Assessments (LCA) to ensure WFP can respond quickly and deploy food and resources to affected areas at the onset of a crisis.
• Participate in ongoing review of internal processes and procedures, identifying ways to increase day-to-day efficiencies.
• Act in an assigned emergency response capacity as required to meet emergency food assistance needs.
• Produce logistics reports in a standardised format. Key products include situation reports (sitreps), snapshots, infographics, meeting minutes, operational overviews, etc.
• Update key logistics procedures, such as Concept of Operations (ConOps) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Update key logistics maps with support from the Country Office or Headquarters GIS unit.
• Other duties as required.

EXPECTED OUTCOME

• JPO is a well-rounded WFP Logistics Officer at the end of the assignment.
• Thorough knowledge of WFP Logistics processes and procedures.
• Contribute to the provision to technical, strategic, and operational support to the region’s Country Offices.
• Conduct regular field missions to Country Offices to provide dedicated support and training.
• Timely production of reports, presentations, standard operating procedures, and other material that assist with documenting initiatives related to the essential needs approach in the region.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Education: Advanced university degree in supply chain management, data sciences, business administration, engineering, development studies, disaster management/ disaster risk reduction or other related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of two years of professional relevant work experience in logistics or supply chain.
• Collaborative spirit able to liaise with a wide range of people at all levels and across different cultures and to act with credibility and diplomacy.
• Good organizational and time management skills with an ability to plan ahead, anticipate requirements, problems and obstacles, and an ability to juggle competing priorities successfully, and to work within tight deadlines.
• Good communication skill and excellent written and analytical skills.
• Basic knowledge of logistics operations and humanitarian reform / concept.
• Sound knowledge of Microsoft Windows, MS Excel, MS Word, MS PowerPoint and other related software.
• Willingness to work in challenging environments / field locations.

Languages: Fluency (level C) in English and French is required.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

• Exposure to the international arena either by direct work for an international institution/organization or by interacting with international stakeholders.
• Experience monitoring and reporting on transport and freight market conditions and trends.
• Experience in dealing with shipments and clearing imports/exports with customs officials.
• Experience in coordinating contracting and transportation processes.
• Experience in warehouse and commodity management.
• Experience working with corporate systems (databases, software).
• WFP’s international professionals are required to serve in different locations around the world during their career (including in hardship duty stations); willingness to be mobile would maximise opportunities for long-term retention into the Organization.