Logistics Specialist, (P-3), Fixed Term, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Hope

The Logistics Specialist reports to the Senior Supply and Logistics Manager and is responsible for managing the supply chains and logistics components of emergency response operations. The supply chain operations include logistics planning, customs clearance, warehousing, in country transport and distribution, as well as monitoring of logistics. The incumbent supports management collaboration with programmes in defining the operational aspects of supply interventions to meet programmatic needs and achieve results for children, and provides technical and advisory support to governments, national systems and partners on supply chain management. The logistics function plays a major role in emergency preparedness and response, considering the recurring and multiple emergencies experienced in the country and supported by the Country Office (CO).

How can you make a difference?

1. Management of the Supply team

• Prepare the annual work plan for the logistics team in Kinshasa and discuss for the logistics functions in field offices with the relevant staff; determine priorities/targets and performance measurements; monitor work progress to ensure that results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards.

 

• Supervise and coach team members, ensuring timely performance management of staff. In collaboration with Supply Division, Regional Office, and the global supply community, ensures knowledge sharing and learning is prioritized to continuously build capacity of individuals and the team.
• In consultation with supervisor, establishes and maintains the team capacity to handle CO logistics requirements, including staffing (appropriate staffing structure, timely recruitment, clarity of roles and responsibilities) and management of third-party services (e.g. customs clearance, receipt and dispatch of goods, warehousing, transport, distribution)

• Provide oversight and support to logistics functions in all field offices and ensure coordinated logistics operations between the different locations.

2. Supply chain service delivery and emergency response

• In consultation with supervisor, provides input to the Country Programme Action Planning and advice on the operational components for the Plan of Operations and Annual Work Plans. Ensures appropriate planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the logistics aspects within the supply chain operations, including setting up key performance indicators and assessment of fit for purpose of relevant services.
• Ensures timely customs clearance of supplies entering the country, appropriate warehousing capacity, inventory management and in-country transport activities are implemented in support of the country programme
• Manages the vendor practices and performance e.g. logistics service provider performance reviews are established, applied, and monitored.
• Establishes routing and scheduling plans for in country distribution. Coordinates shipment planning with zone offices. Issues delivery schedules are communicated to all stakeholders.
• Analyzes supply dashboards, implementation rates of key performance indicators and supply information/data from various systems and conduct root cause analysis of supply chain bottlenecks and challenges, with a view to drive improvements and ensure efficient and effective supply chains for children.
• Provides regular and timely transmission of pipeline, logistics monitoring information, stock levels and distribution status to programmes and logistics focal point at national level.
• In consultation with supervisor, and based on risk assessment analysis and Programme assumptions, establishes the logistics components of the DRC emergency supply & logistics strategy.
• In collaboration with the Emergency section, defines the logistics preparedness action plan for the CO and implements the required activities (e.g. prepositioning of stock, training of staff in the country office and field offices).
• In collaboration with supervisor, establish strong working relations with Regional Chiefs of Supply/Regional Chief of Operations, as well as Supply Division, to align with global and regional approaches and initiatives in supply chain management.

3. Collaboration with programme and implementing partners

• Supports assessment of and collaboration with implementing partners including civil society, establishment of Programme Cooperation Agreements (PCAs), and monitoring of the logistics components under Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT). When required, undertakes logistics assessments of potential implementing partners.
• Develops and maintains partnership and collaborative relations with Government, UN organizations and bilateral counterparts in logistics activities. 
• Participates in emergency coordination, implementation and monitoring meetings with internal and external partners and establish close collaboration with Logistics Cluster/National Logistics Working Group.

4. Technical and advisory support to government/national systems

• Promotes/drives supply chain strengthening and change management initiatives with governments and partners, to ensure efficient and effective supply chains for children.
• Provides input to capacity development initiatives in logistics for results, supports supply components of health systems strengthening as might be relevant in the country context.
• Collaborates closely with Procurement Services Manager regarding advisory support to Governments/national systems in defining and determining logistics improvements, such as: local market development, private sector engagement and risk reduction in the transportation sector.

5. Innovation, products and markets

• Contributes to pilots and supports the actual roll-out of new products and services, in close collaboration with Supply Division.
• Promotes critical thinking, innovative approaches and good practices on logistics management within the organization as well as with externals to ensure effective and efficient service delivery for children.
• Further to analysis of supply spend and related logistics strategies, in collaboration with supervisor, runs initiatives to ensure local market development where relevant.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Advanced University Degree in Supply Chain Management, Transport and Logistics or relevant first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) in conjunction with a valid relevant professional certification is required.

  *A first level university degree (Bachelor’s) in a relevant technical field (as identified above), in conjunction with seven (7) years of relevant work experience in supply, transport, logistics and/or other directly-related technical field, may be taken in lieu of an advanced university degree.

• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience, at the national and international levels, in supply chain, transport and logistics and/or other directly related technical fields is required. Understanding of development and humanitarian work. Emergency work experience and health supply chain management experience are strong advantages.

• Fluency in English and French is required. 

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The competencies required for this post are:

Core Values

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability

Core Competencies

• Communication (II)
• Working with people (II)
• Drive for results (II)

Functional Competencies

• Leading and supervising (II)
• Formulating strategies and concepts (II)
• Analyzing (II)
• Applying technical expertise (II)
• Planning and Organizing (II)
• Relating and networking (II)
• Coping with set-back and pressure (II)

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

 

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.