Supply Chain Manager – Syria

Background

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with 192 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

Organizational Context

Throughout 2019, we have witnessed the evolution of the Syria crisis in all its complexity. While in some locations there is increasing stability and with it the need for more in depth needs assessment and nuanced programming, in other areas devastating violence has dominated peoples’ lives, most particularly in northeast Syria, and now in Idlib, where tens of thousands of people, many of whom are women and children, are fleeing their homes in search of safety. Describing the crisis needs to be done through the lens of the people affected; this is very much a crisis that impacts people in different ways. Firstly, recognizing the acute needs in areas that are still disputed and engaged in conflict, such as the north of Syria, including Idlib. Secondly, the needs of households within communities that are no longer experiencing fighting but still bear the consequences of eight years of conflict through damaged infrastructure and blighted economic conditions and prospects. The IFRC’s Supply Chain (LPSCM) Manager is a core function supporting IFRC humanitarian action. The LPSCM department operates on a cost-recovery basis and has a global network including: § a headquarters-based team in in Geneva § a logistics hub in Dubai § four regional logistics units located in Panama, Kuala Lumpur, Nairobi and Beirut § logistics sub-regional hubs § country-based logistics set-up The duty station for this position is the IFRC office in Damascus, Syria. IFRC works in an integrated manner with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent Society (SARC) and is located at SARC HQ. SARC Logistics’ Hub is located in Tartous. SARC has the role of the RCRC Movement lead agency for operational field response and coordination among RCRC Movement partners. The IFRC is seeking a highly skilled logistics professional with strong commitment to the RCRC principles and with previous experience in working with National Societies in times of emergency response and recovery.

Job Purpose

The Surge Supply Chain Manager will accompany the NS through their logistic processes, including local procurement, to ensure that SARC/IFRC achieve transparency, accountability and timeliness as part of the emergency response operations.

The position will assess the future needs of the IFRC Syria Country Office in relation to Logistics, Procurement and Supply Chain Management (LPSCM) as well as working with the German and Danish Red Cross Logistics Managers and SARC to identify the key areas for further development and advise accordingly. Close working relationships will be established with the ICRC counterpart to maximise Movement Logistics efficiency according to the Strengthening Movement Coordination and Cooperation (SMCC) concept and reduce the stress on SARC having to manage several partners concomitantly for various but similar projects.

The position will coordinate country level supply chain service provision in conjunction with SARC and under the technical guidance of the IFRC Operational LPSCM. The ultimate aim of working with SARC is to build the skills and capacity to enable them to manage country level logistics sustainably and in full adherence to best practice principles and compliance with relevant procedures and regulations including the recent amended procedures for COVID-19 procurements. The Manager is responsible for the direct management of IFRC logistics programmes and carries accountability for country level IFRC fixed logistics assets.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The Supply Chain Manager, Syria oversees multilateral support and manages the IFRC supply chain through procurement of food, medicine and other relief items, working in close cooperation with IFRC LPSCM, while also overseeing tracking and monitoring goods received at SARC hub in Tartous. The position is responsible for overseeing specific logistics activities e.g. demand fulfilment/customs/transport/warehouse/coordination of international and local procurement. The Supply Chain Manager will also identify and support logistics capacity development needs of the National Society in consultation with Movement partners. As such, this role requires excellent communication and organisational skills as well as outstanding logistics technical expertise and management skills working closely with the IFRC country team and partners .

Key areas of influence and key internal relationships include:

• Co-ordination of IFRC logistics activities in liaison with the MENA Logistics Manager/delegate and Dubai logistics hub

• Consultation with and advice to other IFRC functions to ensure efficient and timely IFRC service delivery

• Provision of services to Partner National Societies and other IFRC/SARC partners in Syria

Key Accountabilities

• Provide an assessment of LPSCM requirements for the IFRC Syria Country Office and draft a Job Description accordingly. Manage procurement enquiries and process requisitions for procurement of goods and services for the operation utilizing IFRC LPSCM and ensuring an audit trail.

• Oversee and track the incoming goods of multilateral contributions through the IFRC pipeline to ensure timely receipt into the National Society (NS) warehouses and reverse reporting of items received in good order. Advise the National Society on processing the incoming goods of bilateral contributions managed by the National Society while practicing the same methods utilizing IFRC tools.

• Provide support to the National Society in planning, organizing and maintaining, in compliance with IFRC logistics standards and procedures for minimize losses, any stores and/or warehouses containing IFRC-supplied stocks; ensure National Society reports on IFRC stocks.

• Support National Society in planning for logistics activities including transportation management ensuring adherence to specific standards to provide high quality, efficient and cost effective logistics service that meet the needs in satisfactory manner.

• Manage the use of vehicles under IFRC VRP (vehicle rental program) while implementing a pool management system and monitor fleet fuel, mileage, other monthly vehicle cost reports from drivers. Ensure that the necessary information related to transport/fleet management is effectively shared and communicated to the Global Fleet Base in Dubai and relevant data for reporting in the IT system Fleetwave.

• Provide logistics technical guidance and training to NS staff and volunteers to ensure the necessary capability and understanding exists to ensure best practices and compliance with necessary regulations, legislation and IFRC procedures. Moreover, oversee logistics activities executed by the National Society logistics staff and provide on-job training and coaching.

• Initiate and support logistics development for the National Society and ensure needed capacity of staff and volunteers is available, including NS branch and sub-branches; introduce tools and establish procedures where necessary.

• Provide advice and technical support on logistics matters within IFRC Syria office and maintain close coordination with the team of delegates working with the Syria operation.

• Participate in the Logistics Cluster in Syria, ensuring a proper representation of the IFRC and SARC.

• Manage IFRC resources effectively within set budgets, timelines and donor requirements, and contribute with input advising on utilization of pledges in coordination with IFRC country team and National Society counterparts.

• Produce timely and accurate narrative and financial reports for immediate line manager and contribute to IFRC Syria reporting.

• Maintain close cooperation and coordination with the MENA regional office, Dubai office and LPSCM team in Geneva, especially in regards to updating on import procedures and coordinate international shipments are only released once import permits are obtained to avoid demurrage and storage costs.

• Coordinate with ICRC logistics and Partner National Societies in Syria, and strive to find the most efficient, joint approaches in the spirit of SMCC.

• Coordinate with the counterparts from other international organizations.

  Duties applicable to all staff

• Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals

• Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles

• Perform any other work related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager

Education

1. Degree and/or post graduate qualification in logistics strategy and management or a combination of relevant education and extensive professional experience. Required.

2. Professional certification in logistics. Preferred.

3. Basic Delegate Training Course/IMPACT. Required.

Experience

1. Minimum 5 years’ professional experience in general logistics, including warehousing, procurement, transportation and fleet management. Required.

2. Good understanding of the humanitarian environment in Syria. Preferred.

3. Working experience in the MENA region. Preferred.

4. Coordination experience with other international organisations. Preferred.

5. Documented managerial experience. Preferred.

Knowledge, skills and languages

1. Well-documented knowledge of IFRC logistics procedures and tools. Required.

2. Highly organised; meticulous attention to details. Required.

3. Ability to create a unified team approach. Required.

4. Computer skills: self supporting in MS Word and Excel. Required.

5. Fluently spoken and written English. Required.

6. Excellent command of Arabic. Preferred.

Competencies and values

Communication, Team Work, National Society Relations, Innovation, Building Trust, Managing Performance, Accountability, Professionalism.