WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles
Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the United Nations frontline humanitarian agency addressing hunger and malnutrition worldwide. Due to its expertise in the field of humanitarian logistics, WFP was chosen to be the lead agency for the Logistics Cluster and maintains a Global Logistics Cluster (GLC) support unit hosted by the Supply Division in WFP Headquarters in Rome.
Comprised of a diverse, multi-skilled group of logisticians, the Logistics Cluster is mandated by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) to complement and co-ordinate the logistics capabilities of co-operating humanitarian agencies during large-scale complex emergencies and natural disasters. The GLCSC is also tasked with: advocacy on behalf of the cluster approach, training, preparedness, and the development of new tools and resources to benefit emergency humanitarian response operations.
The Logistics Cluster is reaching out to establish a shortlist of qualified candidates for future missions. This shortlist would be updated on regular intervals. Candidates shortlisted will be informed.
Position Summary
The objective of a country-level Logistics Cluster is to ensure that timely, coherent and effective logistics support to humanitarian aid/relief operations is possible (within funding and security constraints). WFP as the lead agency of the Logistics Cluster is accountable to work in partnership with humanitarian stakeholders to deliver a strategic response, based on operational gaps (as per the IASC Guidelines on Cluster Coordination at Country Level). Within each country-level Logistics Cluster Lead Agency is a Logistics Cluster Coordinator (as per the IASC Generic Terms of Reference for Sector Leads at Country Level), who is responsible to lead and facilitate this process through.
ACCOUNTABILITIES/ RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Expert advice: Ensure the proper implementation of Cluster Approach in the technical area of Logistics: as per current IASC guidance; and, in-line with agreed technical standards and norms endorsed by the Global Logistics Cluster Lead Agency and Partnership Base.
- Expert advice: Ensure that Logistics Cluster overall (i.e. engagements involving the Lead Agency and partners, under the Logistics Cluster strategy) is managed in line with the Principles of Partnership.
- Expert advice: Facilitate discussion and agreement on the use of common standards and tools among cluster partners. Promote awareness of and adherence to relevant policy guidelines, codes of conduct and examples of good practice by all cluster partners.
- Needs assessment, prioritization, project planning and implementation: Together with Logistics Cluster partners, lead the continuous identification and assessment of logistics capacities, gaps and bottlenecks in the country.
- Needs assessment, prioritization, project planning and implementation: Provide partners with logistics solutions based on detailed cost/ benefits analyses and recommended standard operating procedures.
- Needs assessment, prioritization, project planning and implementation: Establish a Logistics Cluster strategy, based on solid cost/benefit analysis, to address the relevant gaps and needs identified with partners and the priorities identified by the Humanitarian Country Team (i.e. through augmented coordination, information sharing, logistics services, capacity building, etcetera); and, update it regularly according to evolving needs.
- Needs assessment, prioritization, project planning and implementation: Report and address to the appropriate WFP representative any logistics gaps which require WFP, as lead Agency of the Logistics Cluster, to intervene as Provider of Last Resort.
- Needs assessment, prioritization, project planning and implementation: Ensure in-country logistics challenges are identified, relevant challenges are addressed to the relevant authorities and proposition are made to ease the implementation of special measure with local authorities to implement HRP.
- Needs assessment, prioritization, project planning and implementation: Ensure that the Logistics Cluster strategy in time-bound, including specific planning for an end to Cluster-based support activities and hand-over, where necessary, to local capacity and/or national authorities (including appropriate provisions for training, capacity building and knowledge transfer as needed).
- Needs assessment, prioritization, project planning and implementation: Ensure that the Logistics Cluster strategy is measurable, defining appropriate key indicators by which the performance of the Logistics Cluster overall, and individual contributing partners (i.e. Lead Agency and Service Providers) can be measured.
- Needs assessment, prioritization, project planning and implementation: Ensure that Logistics Cluster strategy and funding requirements is adequately reflected in overall country strategies at WFP and inter-agency level, such as the WFP Country Strategic Plan and the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) respectively, as well as in Flash and/or Consolidated Appeals.
- Needs assessment, prioritization, project planning and implementation: Jointly with key stakeholders, review and assess project proposals from potential Service Providing Partners, insofar as the activities planned are within the scope of the Logistics Cluster strategy; and coordinate, monitor and evaluate the implementation of approved proposals.
- Needs assessment, prioritization, project planning and implementation: Jointly with WFP HR, develop a staffing structure for the Logistics Cluster support to be provided by the Lead Agency (i.e. for the management and monitoring of the strategy overall, and any other specific activities committed to by WFP – IM, technical support, and/or service provision); adjust to evolving needs as required.
- Needs assessment, prioritization, project planning and implementation: Jointly with WFP Supply Chain, Finance and Donor Relations, identify other resources (i.e. financial, assets and equipment, sub-contracted services) necessary for the Logistics Cluster support to be provided by the Lead Agency; adjust to evolving needs as required.
- Needs assessment, prioritization, project planning and implementation: Jointly with the Logistics Cluster Lead Agency design concepts of operations and support its implementation on behalf of the Service Users, ensuring Service Providers (i) comply with WFP rules and regulations (ii) meet Global Logistics Cluster standards and (iii) effectively provide the services
- Needs assessment, prioritization, project planning and implementation: Manage the relationships with logistics Service Providers on behalf of the Service users
- Effective intra and inter-cluster coordination: Establish and ensure fluid and regular communication and coordination with all relevant sector stakeholders, including governmental authorities, national and international humanitarian organizations, and WFP as country-level and global Lead Agency of the Logistics Cluster.
- Effective intra and inter-cluster coordination: Facilitate agreement on an efficient division of work and the assignment of responsibilities amongst cluster partners which takes account of their comparative advantages and complementarities.
- Effective intra and inter-cluster coordination: Provide leadership within the Logistics Cluster by organizing and chairing regular Logistics Cluster meetings to coordinate the continuous identification and prioritisation of logistics needs, as well as strategic solutions adequate to overcome bottlenecks and ensure delivery of humanitarian aid/relief.
- Effective intra and inter-cluster coordination: Actively support the establishment and maintenance of HC/HCT-endorsed inter-cluster coordination mechanisms; and, represent the Logistics Cluster at these and other relevant emergency coordination and inter-agency meetings.
- Effective intra and inter-cluster coordination: Identify issues of mutual interest and identify information which (i) should be proactively shared with other clusters, and (ii) should be acquired from other clusters to ensure a more effective overall response.
- Effective intra and inter-cluster coordination: Joint inter-cluster needs assessment exercises as appropriate to ensure that identified needs, gaps and priorities are as evidence-based as possible in any given emergency context.
- Effective intra and inter-cluster coordination: Ensure appropriate attention to priority cross-cutting and cross-sectoral issues (e.g. gender, age, HIV and AIDS, human rights, environment and early recovery) as per IASC guidance.
- Information management, monitoring, evaluation and reporting: Coordinate and supervise the collection, analysis and dissemination of relevant logistics information - continually look to develop high-quality information management products - within the Logistics Cluster, and with other relevant stakeholders.
- Information management, monitoring, evaluation and reporting: Contribute to adequate reporting and information sharing, both within the Logistics Cluster, with other Clusters (e.g. Inter-Cluster coordination mechanisms) and other relevant stakeholders.
- Information management, monitoring, evaluation and reporting: Ensure the proper reporting, communication and coordination with the WFP Country Office (corporate reporting requirements including Annual Country Report) and with the Global Logistics Cluster Support Team.
- Information management, monitoring, evaluation and reporting: Measuring progress against the cluster strategy and agreed results. Recommending corrective action where necessary. Make adjustments to the overall strategy and programming as appropriate.
- Information management, monitoring, evaluation and reporting: Contribute to real-time evaluations, including audits.
- Advocacy: Together with Cluster partners, identify core advocacy concerns for the sector and contribute key messages to the broader advocacy initiatives of the Humanitarian Coordinator, the Cluster Lead Agency, donors and other relevant actors.
- Advocacy: In coordination with the WFP Country Office and Government Partnership Officer, advocate for funding with donors.
- Advocacy: Encourage all cluster partners to include common/sector-wide issues, concerns and messages in their own communication activities.
DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:
Regular assessment of logistics gaps and needs are conducted, and a Logistics Cluster strategy is developed and maintained (incl. monitoring the implementation of activities) accordingly.
Project proposals covering the activities of the Logistics Cluster strategy are prepared, reviewed and included in overall country strategies and response plans (i.e. WFP CSP, HRP, etcetera).
Resource requirements for the Logistics Cluster strategy are developed, monitored (incl. effective follow-up on the relevant budget lines of the Lead Agency), and communicated as needed.
Briefings on logistics and access constraints, the Cluster Approach and implementation of the Logistics Cluster strategy are delivered to government officials, donors and other stakeholders.
Key information products (ConOps, SOPs, Maps, etcetera) are shared with relevant stakeholders.
An exit strategy for the Logistics Cluster is developed, maintained and implemented as appropriate.
A handover/debriefing report is prepared.
Related tasks as may be requested by the supervisor are undertaken.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education:
University degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, economics, social sciences, a related field or equivalent relevant experience.
Experience:
At least 5 years of professional experience (may be concurrent with other requirements) in supply chain and/or logistics operations (i.e. land transport, international shipping or air transport, warehouse management, freight forwarding, etcetera).
At least 5 years of professional experience (may be concurrent with other requirements) in humanitarian project/programme implementation (incl. assessment, budget and funds management, monitoring and evaluation).
At least 3 years of professional experience (may be concurrent with other requirements) in project/programme coordination and management, including serving in a supervisory role.
At least 3 years of professional experience (may be concurrent with other requirements) in logistics operations in emergency response (natural disaster and/or complex emergency).
Knowledge & Skills:
Understanding of the international humanitarian response architecture, including co-ordination mechanisms, Humanitarian Reform and humanitarian action, and international emergency response funding mechanisms.
Formal training in cluster coordination, or substantial previous cluster experience (including some responsibility for coordination).
Experience of high-level coordination, including serving as the chair of a multi-lateral working group (i.e. any output-oriented group of independent stakeholders); an ability to work within a diverse group, build/develop consensus and deliver on joint outputs.
Partnership and service mindset, integrity, result-oriented, proactive engagement, gender and culturally sensitive.
Demonstrated ability to work productively in remote and high-pressure environments, to motivate a team, maintain morale and deliver on objectives in difficult circumstances.
Languages:
Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or WFP’s working language.
Terms and Conditions
WFP offers a competitive compensation package that will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.
Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP.
http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.
Deadline for applications: 7 November 2019
Ref.: VA No. 107876
Qualified female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply
WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status
No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.