Senior Officer, Supply Chain

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

The Senior Officer, Supply Chain will be responsible for coordinating all supply chains related matters for IFRC Syria Delegation and supporting Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) with all logistics and procurement related activities funded through the IFRC Emergency Appeals, Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) and regular programmes, ensuring timely delivery of goods and services in line programme and response planning. The incumbent will ensure adherence to the donor timelines and requirements in coordination with IFRC’s regional Global Humanitarian Services & Supply Chain Management (GHS&SCM) function. The position will also, based on request, support SARC Supply Chain capacity development.

The Senior Supply Chain Officer will work closely with the IFRC Operations Manager and IFRC technical team for planning and execution of logistics services and assume the responsibility for procurement activities e.g. ensuring local and supporting Regional Unit in international when applicable.

The incumbent is expected to be operational and lead by example, demonstrating professionalism, integrity, and accountability in all logistics operations.

Coordination and capacity development

• Build strong working relationships with SARC and IFRC (mainly program and logistics) staff, acting as the central logistics point of contact within the team. Establish regular contact with counterpart at IFRC Regional Office for better support to SARC and IFRC country team.
• Co-chair Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement logistics technical working group (TWG) established in Syria. Ensure the TWG is active, meets regularly and has an updated plan of action being implemented by SARC and is supported by the TWG.
• Ensure smooth coordination between SARC, IFRC, and other relevant departments, facilitating the clear flow of information related to supply chain and procurement activities.
• Communicate logistics progress and any challenges to internal stakeholders in a timely and effective manner, ensuring that any issues related to shipments or customs clearance are addressed collaboratively.
• Provide weekly updates on shipment statuses, including any challenges faced in customs clearance or transport, along with solutions or recommendations to address bottlenecks.
• Represent IFRC and coordinate closely with SARC and in-country partners in agreed areas for logistics/procurement capacity strengthening.

Procurement

• Under the supervision of Operations Manager, prepare procurement plan with SARC counterparts and IFRC technical leads for goods and services supported by the IFRC ensuring procurement timelines are realistic and adhered to.
• Coordinate with IFRC Regional GHS&SCM to ensure that the best sourcing strategy is used.
• Coordinate and follow up national or international procurements through Regional GHS&SCM based on the suitability, cost efficiency and timelines, and in close consultations with technical staff (including health, livelihoods, NSD) and SARC procurement unit counterparts.
• Advise SARC to carry out local procurement, ensuring compliance with SARC’s and IFRC standard procurement and logistics procedures, in country tendering, comparative bid analysis and contract award.
• Ensure compliance with IFRC procedures and standards, and national regulations, in all matters related to in country procurement.
• Coordinate IFRC Network’s support to SARC in developing/revising the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that is approved by all internal donors such as PNSs and IFRC to improve the timeliness and efficiency in the management of shipments and cargo.
  

Supply Chain

• Ensure the accurate and timely preparation of all logistics documentation is ready and made available by SARC before any IFRC consignment arrives in country. This includes customs clearance forms, shipping manifests, and inventory records.
• Take charge of monitoring, tracking, and reporting on all incoming shipments, ensuring that goods are delivered to their final destinations without unnecessary delays.
• Coordinate shipment statuses regularly to key stakeholders, addressing any potential issues such as delays or transportation challenges.
• Maintain an audit trail for all logistics documents to ensure transparency and accountability within the operation.
• Collaborate with SARC to develop and implement a supply chain strategy that ensures the efficient movement of goods in and out of their warehouses, while adhering to IFRC standards.
• Coordinate IFRC Network’s support to SARC in developing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that is approved by all internal donors such as PNSs and IFRC to improve the logistics processes, ensuring consistency and efficiency in the management of shipments and cargo.
• Provide support and on-job training to IFRC staff engaged, to improve the quality of procurement services within the National Society, promote adherence to best practice principles and compliance with necessary regulation, national legislation and IFRC procedures.

• Professional qualification in supply chain or equivalent experience - Required
• University degree in a related field or equivalent experience - Preferred

Required

• Experience in working in humanitarian interventions including large complex operations and/or development programmes
• Minimum 5-7 years of relevant logistics field experience, ideally in the humanitarian sector, including experience in warehousing, customs clearance, transporting goods, fleet management, purchasing, customs clearance
• Proven experience to carry out supply chain assessments and set up large operations

Preferred

• Experience in managing and training staff/volunteers
• Experience in project management, planning and managing budgets
• Experience of internal Red Cross Movement and external stakeholder relationships.
• Experience working for a humanitarian aid organisation
• Experience of Supply Chain NS development 

Required

• In-depth grasp of supply chain practices, including legal aspects, knowledge of procedures and international supply chain standards
• Professional use of MS Office tools (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, PowerPoint …)
• Excellent communications skills including report writing
• Transport and fleet management. Supply chain logistical coordination
• Ability to work in a cross-functional environment and multi-cultural environment
• Valid driving license for light vehicles (manual gears)
• Fluent spoken and written English and Arabic.

Preferred

• Knowledge of communications systems (satellite phones, etc.)
• Project management skills
• Valid heavy vehicle driving license
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish)

• Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability
• Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust