Logistics Cluster Coordinator Roster at World Food Programme (WFP)

The focus of the role and associated responsibilities will depend on operational needs and may vary by country, considering the basic principles of the Cluster Approach. 

Leadership  

• Lead the strategic and technical operational design, implementation, review and adaptation of a logistics coordination mechanism in line with IASC cluster coordination guidelines, as well as other IASC guidance, in collaboration with partners and within the mandate.  
• Identify common logistics gaps amongst the humanitarian community by leading Gaps and Needs Analysis (GNA) and inform Humanitarian Country team on operational priorities and challenges. 
• If common logistics gaps are identified, facilitate access to operational logistics solutions based on a detailed cost-benefit analysis. This includes analysis, selection, implementation and monitoring of possible solutions to bridge operational gaps, including developing solutions with WFP supply chain where no solution is available, following Logistics Cluster standard operating procedures.  
• Ensure proper project management, focused on the timely design and proper implementation of Logistics Cluster support at the right costs and monitor and report throughout the entire life cycle. 
• Mainstream global themes and approaches3 into established Logistics Cluster practices.  
• Lead and facilitate discussion and agreement on the use of common standards and tools and promote awareness of/adherence to relevant policy guidelines, codes of conduct and examples of good practice. 

Effective (inter-agency) coordination 

• Build, maintain and develop relationships and share information with WFP colleagues in the Country Office, Regional Bureau and relevant functions at HQ including colleagues of the Logistics Cluster Team.  
• Manage overall Logistics Cluster inter-agency engagement as per the IASC Principles of Partnership. 
• Ensure fluid and regular communication and coordination with all relevant stakeholders, including supply and logistics managers in national and international humanitarian organisations to continuously identify and prioritise logistics needs and adequate solutions to overcome bottlenecks, and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid/relief. 
• Represent the Logistics Cluster and actively participate in inter-cluster operational coordination mechanisms and working groups, to enable coordinated efforts, systems and resources.  
• Develop a solid understanding of the partners and their activities, encouraging organisations to share their resources and information with the community for the benefit of the whole response.  
• Actively contribute to logistics coordination and information management preparedness and response training, workshops and simulations to build the capacity of all stakeholders.  

Information management, monitoring and evaluation 

• Ensure the collection, analysis and dissemination of relevant logistics information, such as the Concept of Operations and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) ensuring they are regularly updated.
• Identify trends and analyse likely future developments with associated risks and opportunities to provide a dynamic understanding of the evolving situation.  
• Liaise with relevant national authorities and organisations to collect and make available up-to-date information on administrative processes, customs, border control, and route access. 
• Develop and implement an evaluation approach, monitor and review activities (partner surveys / consultations, cluster coordination performance monitoring (CCPM)), and a plan to address results.  
• Ensure comprehensive mapping of partners (3W), including assets and infrastructure. 

Operations and resource management 

• Develop and oversee strategic common service logistics activities at field level, including identifying storage and transport options, and reviewing and managing ongoing implementation of logistics services to ensure proper duty of care is provided for third-party cargo.  
• Ensure that logistics activities are in line with WFP guidelines and prevailing best practice, and advise on solutions and changes to common service logistics activities to align with evolving needs in the field. 
• Support the identification and mobilisation of necessary resources (assets, personnel, funds) to implement cluster activities at country level, including drafting proposal documents and budgets. 
• Advise WFP’s Country Strategic Plan process (narrative and budget) and other internal / external project documents for implementation of cluster work (including logistics contingency and preparedness initiatives). 
• Work with the WFP Country Office and the Logistics Cluster Team (Rome) to recruit the right staff profiles (initiate recruitment, define ToRs, advise on staff selection, onboarding), lead on skill development and workforce management. 
• Ensure that cluster funds are committed and spent in line with logistics coordination needs and approved plans, in accordance with WFP rules and regulations. Monitor country level funding status. 

Advocacy 

• With partners, identify key topics and messages to advance operations through advocacy, develop an advocacy strategy and plan, collaborate with allies and support implementation of the advocacy plan.  
• Encourage partner organisations to include common messages in their own advocacy activities. 
• Confidently present difficult and sensitive messages to senior leadership and influential stakeholders.

Education

• A university degree in Supply Chain Management, International Business, International Relations, Crisis Management, Project Management, Business Administration or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required experience

• Minimum of six years of progressive professional responsibility in international humanitarian project/programme/logistics implementation, with at least 2 years in a senior position.

Desired experience

• Serving in a supervisory role.
• Exposure to the IASC Cluster system, especially working for / with the Logistics Cluster at global or field level in emergency preparedness or response.
• Working with national and international coordination systems.
• Experience in humanitarian supply chain / logistics roles.Experience working in roles with an inter-agency collaboration component.

Required knowledge and skills

• Ability and willingness to deploy at short notice to areas with potentially challenging environments for a duration of minimum 1 month is a strict requirement.  Ability to quickly adapt to and set up new operations, or to embed in ongoing activities as surge staff.
• Leadership and decision-making skills, and the ability to develop a strategic vision and shared goals based on humanitarian principles, following a partnership and service mindset, demonstrating integrity, a result oriented and proactive engagement approach, and attention to gender and cultural sensitivities, promoting a climate of teamwork internally and externally, encouraging mutual learning.
• Communication and interpersonal skills to establish and manage collaboration and coordination, including chairing or contributing to multilateral working groups, work across a diverse group of stakeholders (internally and externally), build/develop consensus and deliver joint outputs. Excellent listening and written and verbal communications skills.
• Analytical skills, including the ability to analyse and evaluate data and translate it into meaningful information to facilitate decision making.
• Demonstrated ability to work productively and meet tight deadlines in remote and high-pressure environments, focusing on solutions. Ability to motivate a team, maintain morale and achieving objectives in difficult circumstances. Project management skills including planning, timely execution, monitoring and controlling, and closure or transfer of activities.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office 365, especially Excel, Word,
• PowerPoint and other related software.