Field Support Logistics Consultant

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: Field Support Logistics Officer

Type of Contract: Consultant

Unit/ Division: OSCLS

Duty Station (City, Country): Rome HQ, Italy with extensive travel

Duration: 11 months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:

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.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Support field operations, in close coordination with the GLC Information Management team.
2. The Logistics Cluster Support Officer is the primary focal point and communication channel for the countries that fall under her/his responsibilities for all logistics cluster related activities (cluster, sector and preparedness).
3. Within the Global Logistics Cluster cell, act as technical expertise on cluster coordination, capacity strengthening of national responders and common logistics services and make appropriate recommendations.
4. Support field operations, in close coordination with the GLC Information Management team.
5. The Logistics Cluster Support Officer is the primary focal point and communication channel for the countries that fall under her/his responsibilities for all logistics cluster related activities (cluster, sector and preparedness).
6. Within the Global Logistics Cluster cell, act as technical expertise on cluster coordination, capacity strengthening of national responders and common logistics services and make appropriate recommendations.
7. Deploy to cluster operations in the field as Logistics Cluster Coordinator and undertake field support mission to on-going operations when and as needed (up to three months).
8. Lead the implementation of new Logistics Cluster operations in the aftermath of a disaster or conflict, in accordance with the GLC Head of Operations.
9. 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.
10. 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, including CSP, Special Operations and Budget Revisions.
11. Provide expert 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.
12. Maintain the proper overall understanding of the environment and the situation developments of the countries/regions under her/his responsibilities through her/his established link with the Field Logistics Cluster Coordinator but also through other sources of information (e.g. OPWEB, Reliefweb, etc.)
13. Provide expert support/guidelines to the Field Logistics Cluster Coordinators for a proper understanding of the Cluster approach and mandate.
14. Identify and build productive relationships at global level with counterparts in UN agencies, NGOs, governments and private sectors to share knowledge and resources.
15. Assist in the preparation and review of Country Strategic Plans and other corporate documents for the implementation of the cluster activities (operations and preparedness).
16. Assist and review existing Contingency Plans ensuring the adequate logistics preparedness framework is included.
17. Advise and assist in identifying and mobilizing the necessary resources (i.e. financial, HR and assets) for the implementation of the cluster operation.
18. Keep the Field Logistics Cluster Coordinators informed of all cluster related communication, information and tools available at global level.
19. Contribute and drive the exchange of information between stakeholders (WFP, partners at global level, private sector) and with the field.
20. Plan, organize, facilitate and participate in internal/external trainings or workshops related to the portfolio of activities.
21. Review and clear the information/documentation produced and submitted from country before dissemination by the IM team.
22. Provide periodic updates and inputs related to the activities of the Logistics Cluster and its participating organizations.
23. Ensure a well-defined Service Provision system/process is in place at operations level, when common logistics services are offered. Review Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and support Cluster Coordinator to keep a consistent oversight on services provided.
24. Ensure that the Relief Item Tracking Application (RITA) is implemented correctly where and when required.
25. 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.
26. Provide support for Lessons Learned missions if required, and ensure lessons are taken into considerations when implementing activities.
27. 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.
28. Exchange information closely with other desk officers.
29. Preparedness Responsibilities:
30. In coordination with the GLC Preparedness Manager and the respective in country focal points, coordinate the planning, preparation, initiation, implementation, localisation and phase-out of the preparedness project per project country. The project management includes the following deliverables and activities:
31. Coordinate with respective Country Office (or hosting office of partner organisation) timing, scope and operational framework (incl. staff embedding and reporting lines) of the project implementation.
32. Conduct scoping mission in the respective countries and ensure qualitative meeting with concerned stakeholders.
33. Ensure project activities and resource planning are aligned with CSP and national level funding situation.
34. Develop initial deployment and budget plan per country
35. Support HR process on country specific ToR definition, selection and staff onboarding
36. Support deployed preparedness officer to ensure global project objectives are reflected in a country specific project LogFrame, the activities implemented, and progress monitored.
37. Ensure the countries reporting responsibilities are met within the defined time frame.
38. Coordinate scope, planning and implementation of capacity building or strengthening activities between deployed preparedness officer and GLC training focal point
39. Support the planning, organisation and facilitation of workshops / trainings in country.
40. Support deployed preparedness officer on development and implementation of phase-out strategy
41. Coordinate debriefing activities and support in lessons learnt activities
42. Coordinate post-closure country activities related to GLC preparedness
43. Continuously perform sustainable information archiving throughout the project implementation.
44. Support the facilitation at country level of Logistics Cluster partners training sessions on the Logistics Cluster mandate and work.
45. Ensure the establishment and regular review of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure an effective and sustainable activity implementation.
46. Perform regular information sharing and condensed updates from deployed preparedness officers.
47. Report if required to the Logistics Cluster Preparedness working group on the specifics and outputs of the project.
48. Other duties as required

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

Reporting Line:

The Field Support Logistics Officer reports to the Global Head of Operations, with technical reporting on the preparedness project to the Global Preparedness Officer.

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. Further, contribute to the GLC undertaking to strengthen national supply chain resiliency as part of the GLC preparedness activities.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

EDUCATION: Advanced university degree in social sciences, international relations, communications, journalism or related field; or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

EXPERIENCE: A minimum of five years of professional experience including: working in international contexts and responsibility in a logistics and managerial role. Previous experience in emergency responses is crucial, extensive experience in working within international coordination systems as well as exposure to the IASC cluster system and especially Logistics Cluster are important. Substantial technical experience related to cluster coordination and common logistics services.

Knowledge and Skills: Ability to meet tight deadlines and work under pressure with minimum supervision and as part of a team; good communication skills; excellent written and analytical skills; knowledge of logistics operations and systems; knowledge of humanitarian reform/cluster concept; experience using Microsoft Excel, and sound knowledge of Microsoft Windows, MS Word, MS PowerPoint and other related software. Intercultural skills essential.

LANGUAGES: Fluency in spoken and written English.  Fluency in either French or Spanish is also required. An additional UN language is a plus.

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: 27 February 2020

Ref.: VA No. 116544

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.