Logistics Cluster Field Preparedness Expert

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

Title of Post       : Logistics Cluster Field Preparedness Expert                

Unit                  : Supply Chain

Country             : Haiti

Duty Station      : Port-au-Prince

Initial contract duration: 6 months

Expected Start Date: as soon as possible

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Consultancy – Logistics officer Supply Chain

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.  We are currently seeking to fill a regular consultancy position in our (Unit) of the (Division), based in Rome, Italy.

Brief description of the Logistics Cluster, Supply Chain division :

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 GL 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.

Duties and responsibilities

General Duties:

• Act as the primary focal point for GLC preparedness initiatives undertaken with partner organisations (including international, regional and national humanitarian organisations, National Disaster Management Organisations (NDMO), and private sector actors) and ensure continued WFP involvement in preparedness activities.
• Oversee the implementation of the Logistics Cluster Preparedness Platform on national level (assuming national actor appetite). Support the implementation through data sourcing, validation, and information management. When necessary, support the implementation process by conducting initial, platform-focussed trainings. Provide feedback and constructive criticism during the platform’s development process.
• Support or assume (depending on available capacities) the role of first wave responder in the event of an emergency, using and expanding the network built during preparedness activities and guiding the incorporation of preparedness initiatives into operational response planning.
• Actively support the design of a clear nationally-led action plan and structure alongside partner stakeholders. This should include establishing a clear coordination structure, agreements amongst all stakeholders for roles and responsibilities in response planning and implementation, designing appropriate Standard Operation Procedures, and addressing relevant Minimum and Advanced Preparedness Actions including provision of required assets agreed within the project.
• Based on the gap-analysis and the subsequent action plan, provide input to WFP for the development of future Country Strategic Programmes.
• Direct training of national actors in specific technical areas may be required under special circumstances. Agreement by GLC to undertake this is dependent upon (a) a detailed training plan and (b) a clear, sustainable exit strategy to ensure the training is institutionalised and can be carried forward beyond the life of the Project.
• Support country-level fundraising activities that support national-actor preparedness, through proposal writing and strengthening donor relations.
• Support and communicate preparedness initiatives at global and regional levels.
• Conduct and organise primary and secondary data collection and field testing of mapping and analysis tools, in addition to providing input for the Preparedness Webpage and Platform.
• Support the recruitment and onboarding of a local preparedness officer. Mentor the officer to ensure their ability to continue the project into the future.
• Contribute to strengthening early warning capacity and provide inputs for any relevant operational planning and analyse trends of supply chain risk using tools.
• Advise WFP staff undertaking Logistics Capacity Assessments updates.
• Further activities identified as required.

Capacity Development :

• Support the national disaster mitigation and management structure with logistics response planning
• Actively contribute to regular NDMO preparedness workshops and preparedness/response simulations as required, in line with ensuring capacity of all stakeholders.

Knowledge Management & Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation :

• Derive a country specific LogFrame, identify SMART key performance indicators and measure baseline situation (project start), throughout project conductance and ending.
• Contribute and support knowledge management initiatives that can be embedded into national structures, ensuring sustainability once the Project ends. Establish an active community of practice around emergency logistics preparedness.
• Liaise with IM/IT officers to update the Preparedness Platform with data as required.
• Support the formulation and carrying out of the MLE framework and activities.

Core deliverables:

• Ensure continued involvement in regular National Logistics Cluster/Sector preparedness Working Group meetings and contribute to the furthering of logistics preparedness activities in alignment with national priorities, WFP Country Office strategic plan (CSP), Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP) and GLC priorities.
• Participate in and support the coordination of scenario planning, preparedness planning and response planning activities with multiple partners.
• Gather information related to preparedness from and for partners, using existing tools and developing/testing/implementing of new tools as required.
• In case of a Logistics Cluster or Sector operation:
  • Support the activation phase by briefing, operational network establishment and initiation/consolidation of EPRP related activities;
  • Support the ongoing operation with coordination, guidance, network relations and information provision;
  • Support the phase out and closure of the operation, especially focussing on lessons learnt and to maintain country related operational knowledge and information.

Required qualifications and experience

Education: University degree preferably but not mandatory in logistics & supply chain or a closely related field. Demonstrable equivalent combination of education and experience is also acceptable.

Work experience: a minimum of 5 years of professional experience preferably including: working in an international context; responsibility in a planning role. Previous experience in logistics emergency response, disaster risk reduction, capacity building and working with government/national actors is required. Exposure to the logistics cluster is preferred.

Languages: Fluency (level C) in English and French.

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.

VA Reference no:122920

Closing Date: June 23,2020

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.