Global Logistic Cluster (GLC) - Logistics Consultant (WAE) - Home-based with extensive travel

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

Job Title: GLC - Logistics Officer

Functional Area: Supply Chain

CST level / STP grade: When Actually Employed Consultant

Period of Assignment: 6 months

Duty Station: Home based, with extensive travel

CO/Division-Unit: SCOLC

Background and purpose of the assignment:

The Logistics Cluster enables global, regional and local actors to meet humanitarian needs. Before crises, the cluster works with the stakeholders in high risk countries and regions to strengthening national supply chain resiliency, enhancing coordination and promoting a common methodology towards logistics preparedness among the humanitarian community. In crises, where these capacities have been exceeded, leadership, coordination, information and operational services are provided. WFP, as the lead agency, hosts the Global Logistics Cluster (GLC) support team in its headquarters in Rome.  It is comprised of a diverse, multi-skilled group of logisticians and 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 GLC 2016-2019 strategy also includes a special focus on preparedness and on strengthening the response capacity of national actors. The preparedness activities currently focus on six identified disaster-prone pilot countries to successively expand to 24 emergency-prone until mid-2021 and embedding the development of a preparedness platform.

The GLC support team facilitates the process of convening the cluster community, supports the development of the strategy, including a strong preparedness component, and its implementation in accordance with identified objectives and priorities. The support team is accountable to the Logistics Cluster stakeholders and reports on the progress made against the strategy twice a year during the Logistics Cluster Global Meetings. The GLC support team also provides training, guidance, support and logistics surge capacity to the active cluster operations, reinforcing the capacity on staff on the ground.

Accountabilities/Responsibilities

In close coordination with the GLC Operation team and colleagues in Rome:

• Provide technical support on cluster coordination, capacity strengthening of national responders and common logistics services and make appropriate recommendations,
• Provide advisory to Logistics Cluster Operations on Humanitarian Response Planning, Humanitarian Needs Overview, Inter-Cluster Coordination and other strategic planning products,
• Assist and review existing Contingency Plans,
• Assist in identifying and mobilizing the necessary resources (i.e. financial, HR and assets) for the implementation of the cluster operation.

•   In the aftermath of an emergency, deploy to cluster operations in the field as Logistics Cluster staff and undertake field support mission to on-going operations when and as needed (up to three months), in accordance with the GLC Head of Operations.

• Lead the implementation of new Logistics Cluster operations in the aftermath of a disaster or           conflict, in accordance with the GLC Head of Operations, in this context:
  • Analyse context of country or region and lead and advice on the design and management of supply chain network, to ensure Logistics Cluster operational optimization,
  • Provide advisory to Logistics Cluster Operations on Humanitarian Response Planning, Humanitarian Needs Overview, Inter-Cluster Coordination and other strategic planning products.
  • Actively support project design for operations assigned,
  • Provide advice and guidance on the implementation of operations - gather market intelligence through research and networking, thus improving the knowledge basis available at field level and use the information gathered to recommend actions to improve the Logistics Cluster operations and performance,
  • Contribute in the definition of the logistics strategy within the GLC policies and procedures and support effective integration of Logistics Cluster operations and services, including coordination with other organizations,
  • Identify and build productive relationships at field level with counterparts in UN agencies, NGOs, governments and private sectors to share knowledge and resources.
  • Advise and assist in identifying and mobilizing the necessary resources (i.e. financial, HR and assets) for the implementation of the cluster operation,
  • When requested, use RITA and run the relevant reports to ensure operations are updating the information in a timely manner. Check the status of consignments and note and report key issues to operations.

• Participate in Gaps & Needs Exercise (GNE) missions if required, and ensure that the standard methodology and reporting tools are used.
• Provide support for Lessons Learned Exercise missions if required, and ensure (when appropriate) lessons are taken into considerations when implementing activities.
• Facilitate and participate in internal/external Logistics Cluster trainings or workshop.
• Provide periodic updates and inputs related to the current activities undertaken.
• Review and clear the information/documentation produced and submitted from country before dissemination by the IM team.
• Other duties as required.

Deliverables throughout the lifespan of the project:

• In close collaboration with GLC team, contribute to the implementation of the GLC work-plan and Logistics Cluster Strategy to ensure that Logistics Cluster operations at field level meet the expectations of partners and donors for logistics and preparedness support through coordination, information management, and service provision.
• Requested assessment of logistics gaps and needs are conducted, and when required a Logistics Cluster strategy is developed. 
• Participation in requested Lessons Learned Exercises is effective. 
• Requested facilitation to trainings are conducted and a debriefing report is prepared.
• After each mission, a handover/debriefing report is prepared.
• Related tasks as may be requested by the supervisor are undertaken.

Required qualifications and experience

• At least 5 years 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 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 professional experience (may be concurrent with other requirements) in project/programme coordination and management, including serving in a supervisory role.
• At least 3 years professional experience (may be concurrent with other requirements) in logistics operations in emergency response (natural disaster and/or complex emergency).
• Understanding of the international humanitarian response architecture, including co-ordination mechanisms, Humanitarian Reform and humanitarian action, and international emergency response funding mechanisms.
• Experience of 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.
• Advanced University degree preferably in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Economics, Business Administration, Logistics, or other related field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses.
• Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of either French or Spanish.
• Formal training in cluster coordination, or substantial previous cluster experience (including some responsibility for coordination).

Terms and Conditions

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which 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: 1 March 2020

Ref.: VA No. 115710

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.