Logistics Officer (Project Manager), CST III at World Food Programme (WFP)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Kenya Supply Chain has developed a new Supply Chain strategy that will guide the country office over the next 5 five years.  The strategy focuses on three main pillars: being the supply chain partner of choice; strengthening national systems; and maintaining leadership in emergencies.   The Kenya Supply Chain will contribute to the dual mandate of the organization to both Change Lives and Save Lives.

The Kenya Supply Chain is looking to increase the amount of service provision that it provides to United Nations entities in Kenya.  The Mombasa Humanitarian Hub (MHH) is one of the cornerstones of this strategy and a strong leadership and experienced project manager is necessary to achieve the MHH.

To strategically position WFP Kenya Supply Chain as the logistics partners of choice, it will also be necessary to develop a service provision catalogue with expanded list of services based on enhanced market intelligence.  Working with the public and private sectors in Kenya will contribute to the overall strengthening of national supply chains.

The Kenya corridors provide strategic logistics support to the East Africa region, and on average 250,000 MT of food per year goes through the various Kenya corridors supporting many countries in the East Africa region.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Based in the Field Office in Mombasa, the Logistics Officer reports to the Country Director or the designate and is under the functional supervision of the Head of Field Office.  The Logistics Officer is in charge of leading the MHH project to ensure the smooth running of the project and that WFP Mombasa has access to state-of-the-art infrastructure as well as contributing and provide expertise to the various supply chain projects.

• Lead supply chain projects by defining specifications and implementation timeline, mainly the Mombasa Humanitarian Hub (MHH) and the milling project.
• Define logistics / warehouse management strategy within the WFP policies and procedures and ensure effective integration of supply chain operations at the port and warehouses. 
• Provide expert advice and support on a range of services, project management, and construction activities including the implementation of WFP policies, standards, norms, and practices.
• Provide guidance and leadership on engineering and project management services considering country-specific technical requirements, using best practices, standards and innovative technologies that comply with WFP standards and processes.
• Liaise with Stakeholders both internal and external to the organization, and other UN organizations which may be involved in the project.
• Plan and lead on implementation of innovative logistics operations, initiatives, and programs to ensure timely, efficient and cost-effective supply of direct or indirect food assistance.
• Ensure that accurate and complete accounting, reporting and internal control systems are functioning and that all relevant records are maintained.
• Implement operational  warehouse  procedures  and  normative  guidance  to  manage  WFP’s warehouse in accordance with WFP guidelines and RFQs.
• Identify, mobilize resources, implement, and report on special logistics operations.
• Establish reports based on logistics movements and distribute them according to requirements and coordinate with the different stakeholders, including KECO involved units, Cos in the region, HQ, RBN and private actors.
• Develop logistic strategy within the WFP policies and procedures and ensure effective integration of logistics operations.
• Assess and advise on logistics management and structures and staffing levels to ensure that they are at all times adequate to meet the requirements of the logistics strategy.
• Identify, mobilise resources, implement and report on special logistics operations.
• Create appropriate SOP for WFP Supply Chain projects, specific procedures, and transition plan.
• Prepare evidenced based recommendations for head of the office on tools to enable rapid response to the situations with food safety concerns and other potential emergencies, service provision, business continuity plans.
• Prepare evidenced based recommendations for senior staff on control measures to combat and reduce food commodity losses and food quality and safety issues.
• Ensure adequate logistics preparedness through contingency planning and continuous logistics preparedness reviews.
• Provide trainings to WFP staff and external stakeholders on the key areas, such as quality control, food processing, loss prevention and mitigation, to build local capacity.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT

• Logistics / warehouse management strategy within the WFP policies and procedures and ensure effective integration of supply chain operations at the port and warehouses.
• Produce and present a transition plan to the new MHH ensuring business continuity and smooth exit strategy of the current setup.
• Internal controls are in place and risks have been properly assessed and mitigation measures are effective.
• Market intelligence and project cargos on supply chain partnerships with private sector and other UN agencies.
• SOP are implemented and lessons learned are completed and presented to the key stakeholders for the different projects.
• Resources for successful logistics operations are identified and mobilized under overall guidance of the supervisor and with certain degree of independence, a collaborative member of a team will conduct analytical work and / or manage projects / operations that require a significant amount of in-depth analysis leading to final recommendations.  The incumbent will guide and supervise General Service staff to ensure the application of appropriate policies, guidelines, procedures, and processes.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

University degree in business administration, supply chain, engineering, computer science, statistics, or economics (preferably transport economics), or equivalent.

Experience: 

• Demonstrated experience in planning and organizing, managing work programs and objectives, staff and budgets, and serving as a liaison with stakeholders (private sector or UN).
• Minimum of 12 years relevant work experience with at least 9 years’ experience in warehouse managerial/supervisory role, with progressively increasing responsibilities in the warehouse  operations. Strong cold chain experience is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in planning and organizing, managing work programs and objectives, staff, and budgets, and serving as a liaison with stakeholders/donors.
• Experience coordinating supply chain activities with other units/ teams.
• Experience conducting analytical and conceptual work in support of strategy design and implementation.
• Experience in coordinating periodic planning across functions and with partners.
• Hands on experience in Warehouse Management systems implementation.
• Strong analytical, networking, and coordination skills with excellent written and oral communication.
• Experience in coaching and mentoring staff.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Well organized and detail oriented, able to work independently and on a team
• Sets clear targets for self and others to focus team efforts
• Able to work effectively and tactfully with people from different national and cultural backgrounds
• Demonstrates ability to adapt engagement approach in the context of evolving partner circumstances and expectations
• Proactively identifies and develops new methods or improvements for self and immediate team to address work challenges within own work area
• Flexibility and sense of initiative

Language: Proficiency in English (level C). Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language is an asset.