Logistics Specialist

Organizational Setting

The crisis in northern Mozambique has rapidly deteriorated because of conflict, insecurity and violence in Cabo Delgado. Specifically, the security situation in Cabo Delgado has been progressively deteriorating since December, with numerous attacks from the Non-State Armed Groups, both targeting civilians and military forces, and leading to the displacement or more than 70,000 people between December 2023 and February 2024, on top of the existing 0.6 million people displaced.
This, coupled with the logistics access constraints (extreme weather, broken bridges, falling infrastructures, floods, etc) has really put a strain on our logistics capacity (not having a dedicated field logistician) at the most intense time of the year (agriculture inputs distributions).
In this context, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is implementing its Agricultural Livelihoods Response Plan for northern Mozambique, providing support to IDPs, host communities, and returnees, to foster resumption of crop production, fishing and livestock rearing activities while sustainably managing the soil, forest and fish resources. Projects developed under the Agriculture Livelihoods Response Plan will contribute towards enhanced food and nutrition security of the populations, while laying the foundation to build resilient livelihoods against future climatic shocks and stressors.
The position will be based in Pemba but covering other locations in the northern provinces (Cabo Delgado, Nampula, Niassa) as required under the framework of the emergency response programme.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the FAO Head of Office in Pemba, and work in close collaboration with the technical Units in Maputo.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Logistics Specialist will perform the following tasks\:

• Working across agencies and organizations, lead a continuous identification and assessment of logistics capacities, gaps and bottlenecks in areas affected by the conflict and weather extreme events.
• Participate in the development and implementation of supply chain plans and procedures, in line with the FAO Rules and Regulations, to achieve operational cost efficiency, agility, reliability, quality and to support provincial capacity strengthening.
• Coordinate management of service providers, deliveries and warehouse operations to promote safe and efficient strategies and execution of FAO’s operations. This includes supporting the Country Office in the establishment of long term agreements for e.g. customs clearance, storage and transport;
• Analyse the context of northern Mozambique, and design and manage end-to-end operational supply chain logistics networks, to mitigate and address dynamic logistics challenges.
• Plan and manage the implementation of logistics initiatives and services to ensure timely, cost-effective and approach with core activities and services, in cooperation with key partners in the target areas, for ongoing air, land, and sea, operations in the province.
• Monitor supply dashboards and mitigate potential logistical bottlenecks and challenges to drive improvements and ensure efficient and effective logistics system.
• Build productive partnerships and collaborate with counterparts in critical logistics and supply chain functions to ensure an integrated approach to livelihoods assistance and cross-functional operational alignment.
• Identify and build productive partnerships with counterparts amongst government and other national organizations, UN agencies, NGOs and private sector to share operational knowledge and resources and build capacity to ensure coordinated and cost-effective logistics and supply chain operations.
• Manage service providers / vendors and warehouse operations to promote safe, efficient planning and execution of FAO operations and safeguard FAO’s interests.
• Run accurate and timely reporting, including substantial analysis of logistics activities and trends
• Contribute to preparedness actions, providing your technical recommendations, guidance and monitoring the management of specific logistics and supply chain risks.
• Prepare travel and plan logistics for field mission in the area of responsibility.
• Optimize fleet management of Pemba sub-office, including vehicles documentation, spare parts management, fuel and other consumable consumption, etc.
• Ensure that vehicles and other motorised equipment (generator, pumps, AC) are functioning and maintained
• Under the guidance of the National Security Officer act as security focal point as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Logistics, or other related field,
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience in logistics, supply chain and inventory management, preferably with UN Agencies or National/International NGOs
• Working knowledge of English and excellent written and spoken Portuguese (mother tongue or level C) are required.
• National citizen of Mozambique

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience in managing an area of supply chain / logistics operations, including coordination with internal and external stakeholders;
• Proficiency in MS Office, particularly Word and Excel programmes;
• Effective organizational skills and ability to handle volume of work in an efficient and timely manner;
• Familiarity with identifying operational risks.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION