Head of Supply Chain

The Opportunity

The Head of Supply Chain provides functional leadership to ensure sound logistical systems, performance and coordination providing Country Office programs and teams with optimum support.  In addition, the post holder is responsible for the strategic management of the Save the Children International Afghanistan supply chain, Pharmaceutical and Construction management, and Fleet Management so that it delivers effective solutions for staff and programs.  
The Senior Logistics Manager is responsible for the coordination and support of all logistics activities throughout Save the Children’s areas of operation within Afghanistan and ensuring quality operations and program deliveries. 

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
Contribute to Country Programme Strategy by:
•    Support the development of an organisational culture that reflects our dual mandate values, promotes accountability and high performance, encourages a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation, and frees up our people to deliver outstanding results for children and excellent customer service for our Members and donors
•    Help design and implement a coherent organizational structure that is consistent with agency practices and appropriate to program needs
•    Ensure that the required support is provided promptly, at scale and in line with the rules and principles during emergencies.

Oversight and Management of Logistics
 
•    Responsible for overall coordination and delegated responsibility for field delivery of high quality logistics support to programming in line with the objectives of the country strategy
•    In close coordination with other departments, participate in the program proposal process and ensure that all programs progress in accordance with grant agreements, are completed within time and on budget
•    Collaborate frequently with program staff on Awards Management and proposal development (operational budgeting) to minimize variances, no-cost extensions (NCE’s), waiver exceptions, etc.
•    Ensure SCI minimum standards of logistics are implemented and provide input into the Country Annual Plan (CAP) particularly as category owner of the logistics essential standards. Ensure gaps and needs are included in the CAP Improvement Plan;
•    Liaise with local government, Logistics Cluster (or WFP) and other INGO agencies to ensure up to date understanding of logistic and operational issues in Afghanistan; 
•    Participate in conceptualizing and designing cost effective, innovative and high quality programs to serve difficult to reach children 
•    Ensure that programs are supported in ways responsive to the communities, and children in line with Save the Children principles, values and strategic plan and following Save the Children compliance procedures. 
•    Ensure the preparation of timely and high quality logistics reports and, in coordination with program teams, the development of grant specific procurement plans.
•    Ensure country office supply planning is develop and it is in accordance with grants specific procurement plans, 
•    Maintaining effective functioning of logistics systems to procure, store and distribute stock, supplies and services for the timely delivery of project objectives.
•    Develop and maintain effective pharmacy management system for ordering, distribution and consumption monitoring in the country;
•    Ensure medical supply chain is effective and medical supplies are deliver on time to operating sites;
•    Develop and maintain effective system for construction management in the country;
•    Oversee warehousing and stock management maintaining the SCI Warehousing and Stock Management procedures; 
•    Ensure program managers and budget holders provide Distribution Plans, ensure it is in line with DIP and procurement plans. 
•    To ensure that Save the Children’s commitment to improving quality and accountability in humanitarian work is upheld, through reference to the Sphere Charter, Save the Children Essential Standards and the NGO Code of Conduct.
•    Ensure that partners understand and accept SCI policies and donor guidelines for all operations and logistics activities. 

Logistics, Inventory and Procurement 

•    Ensure that the Country Office logistics capacity and systems meet the Save the Children Essential Standards and are able to satisfy the programming requirements 
•    Ensure appropriate and adequate emergency logistics procedures are detailed in the Country Office Emergency Preparedness Plan in order to enable rapid scale up 
•    Manage the Country Office Logistics department ensuring that all logistics activities (fleet, transport, supply chain, etc) are coordinated

Emergency Response Management – Logistics
•    Assist in strengthening organisational readiness to respond to emergencies in line with global SCI emergency goal and benchmarks
•    Assist to design, update and implement a full set of emergency preparedness actions, drawing on SCI member input and resources
•    Assist to mount appropriate and timely responses at scale to all emergencies consistent with established benchmarks, plans and organizational policies, and in close cooperation with incoming surge teams
•    In coordination with the Program Implementation Director and SMT members maintain consistent and coherent engagement in key inter-agency emergency preparedness and response coordination mechanisms including the Cluster system
•    Develop the logistical aspects of the programme emergency preparedness plan.

Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development – Logistics
•    Managing and motivating the team of logistics and quality control staff (Logistics, Construction and Pharmacy) to ensure high performance in their respective roles, including leading on recruitment, induction, objective setting, and regular supervision/feedback sessions and performance reviews;
•    Ensure appropriate staffing within Logistics, including provincial office staff
•    Ensure that all staff understand and are able to perform their role in an emergency
•    and evaluate direct reports regularly
•    Ensure the recruitment, training, and promotion of  staff as appropriate and ensure availability of appropriate professional development opportunities for staff
•    Incorporate staff development strategies and Performance Management Systems into team building process.  Establish result based system and follow up
•    Manage the performance of all staff in the Logistics work area through: 
– Effective use of the Performance Management System including the establishment of clear, measureable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations;
– Coaching, mentoring and other developmental opportunities;
– Recognition and rewards for outstanding performance;
-Documentation of performance that is less than satisfactory, with appropriate performance improvements/ work plans  
The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.  

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:
•    No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday 
•    All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
•    Violence against children is no longer tolerated 

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.  We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued. 

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Essential:
•    Minimum 5 years’ experience in logistics and operation management at a senior level in a large international non-governmental organisation or other international relief/development body; 
•    Experience in logistics operations scale up in emergencies. 
•    Experience of training and developing staff in logistics and administrative systems 
•    Strong interpersonal and team skills, with the ability to work in a multi-cultural environment. 
•    Experience in budget and financial management;
•    In-depth practical knowledge of logistics systems and requirements in a multi-field office, multi-programme setting; 
•    Effective self-organised, time management and prioritisation skills. 
•    Ability to work alongside others under stressful conditions in conflict-prone situations 
•    Extensive prior NGO experience in logistics management, within a complex/large scale country program and in emergency response/humanitarian environments (5 yrs +) 
•    Substantial experience in all technical areas of logistics operations including procurement, transport/distribution, warehousing and stock management. 
•    Experience of developing / implementing a complex international supply chain to support different types of programs, and coordinating resources to meet the program objectives 
•    Proven track-record in managing and supervising others in logistics, including training and capacity building (international staff) 
•    Ability to synthesise and analyse complex information, and make clear, informed decisions 
•    Experience of advising and supporting others at all levels with logistics aspects of a program, including strategic thinking and planning 
•    Excellent planning, management and coordination skills, with the ability to organise a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities
•    Excellent communication and presentation skills in English, and the capacity to identify and develop opportunities with an organisation-wide perspective; 
•    Cultural awareness with strong written and spoken communication and interpersonal skills 
•    Technical experience/knowledge in specific types of humanitarian intervention (e.g. Health, WASH, Food Security (5+ sectors)) 

Desirable:
•    Master degree in a relevant academic discipline;
•    Experience in delivering logistics and operational services in Afghanistan.

Application Information

Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. A copy of the full role profile can be found at www.savethechildren.net/careers

Closing Date for Application: 05 October 2021
We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.