Global Logistics Coordination Specialist

JOB PURPOSE

The aim of this role is to create a roster of logistics coordination professionals with experience in humanitarian efforts, leadership capabilities, and expertise in collaboration. Successful candidates will be part of a pool available for deployment based on their qualifications and the specific needs of the context. Please note that being selected for the roster does not guarantee a contract offer from the World Food Programme.

The primary objective of this position is to provide guidance and facilitate processes that ensure a well-coordinated, strategic, and effective response by participating organizations in Logistics Clusters at the country level.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

The responsibilities associated with this role will vary according to operational requirements and may differ by country, adhering to the fundamental principles of the Cluster Approach.

Leadership

• Direct the strategic and technical operational design, execution, assessment, and modification of a logistics coordination framework in accordance with IASC cluster coordination guidelines, collaborating with partners within the established mandate.
• When common logistics deficiencies are identified with partners, collaboratively develop a response strategy to enhance access to operational logistics solutions based on a thorough cost-benefit analysis. This includes the evaluation, selection, implementation, and monitoring of potential solutions to address operational challenges, including developing solutions with WFP supply chain when necessary, following Logistics Cluster standard operating procedures.
• Ensure effective project management, concentrating on the timely design and proper execution of Logistics Cluster support at appropriate costs, while monitoring and reporting throughout the entire lifecycle.
• Integrate global themes and methodologies into established Logistics Cluster practices.
• Lead discussions and foster consensus on the application of common standards and tools, promoting awareness and adherence to relevant policy guidelines, codes of conduct, and best practices.

Gaps and Needs Analysis (GNA) and Prioritization

• Collaborate with organizations to continuously identify and evaluate logistics capacities, gaps, priorities, and bottlenecks, including local market capabilities, logistics infrastructure, and the logistical needs of the humanitarian community, to inform the Logistics Cluster strategy and operations.
• As necessary, engage in inter-agency needs assessments to ensure that identified logistical needs, gaps, and priorities are evidence-based and consider the overall emergency context.
• Based on identified common logistics gaps and needs, provide advice to the Humanitarian Country Team on key operational priorities, issues, and challenges, keeping them informed of evolving requirements.

Effective (Inter-agency) Coordination

• Establish, maintain, and enhance relationships while sharing information with WFP colleagues in the Country Office, Regional Bureau, and relevant HQ functions, including the Logistics Cluster Team.
• Oversee overall Logistics Cluster inter-agency engagement in accordance with the IASC Principles of Partnership.
• Ensure consistent and effective communication and coordination with all relevant stakeholders, including supply and logistics managers in national and international humanitarian organizations, to continuously identify and prioritize logistics needs and suitable solutions to overcome bottlenecks, ensuring the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
• Represent the Logistics Cluster and actively engage in inter-cluster operational coordination mechanisms and working groups to enable coordinated efforts, systems, and resources.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of partners and their activities, encouraging organizations to share their resources and information for the benefit of the overall response.

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 analyze potential future developments with associated risks and opportunities to provide a dynamic understanding of the evolving situation.
• Collaborate with relevant national authorities and organizations to gather and provide 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 create a plan to address findings.
• Ensure comprehensive mapping of partners (3W), including assets and infrastructure.

Preparedness and Capacity Building

• Actively contribute to logistics coordination and information management preparedness and response training, workshops, and simulations to enhance the capacity of all stakeholders.
• Support the development and integration of preparedness and contingency planning for humanitarian logistics coordination into the National Disaster Management Organizations' overall preparedness plan, including effective integration of partners.
• Design a Logistics Cluster exit strategy, support capacity building and preparedness of local actors or national disaster response organizations, and ensure a proper transition from cluster- to locally-led coordination, utilizing the Logistics Cluster preparedness approach where feasible and appropriate.

Advocacy

• In collaboration with partners, identify key topics and messages to advance operations through advocacy, develop an advocacy strategy and plan, collaborate with allies, and support the implementation of the advocacy plan.
• Encourage partner organizations to incorporate common messages into their advocacy activities.
• Confidently present challenging and sensitive messages to senior leadership and influential stakeholders.

Resource Management

• Advise WFP's Country Strategic Plan process (narrative and budget) and other internal/external project documents for the implementation of cluster work (including logistics contingency and preparedness initiatives).
• Support the identification and mobilization of necessary resources (assets, personnel, funds) to implement cluster activities at the country level, including drafting proposal documents and budgets.
• Collaborate with the WFP Country Office and the Logistics Cluster Team (Rome) to recruit suitable staff profiles (initiate recruitment, define ToRs, advise on staff selection, onboarding), lead skill development, and workforce management.
• Ensure that cluster funds are allocated and utilized in accordance with logistics coordination needs and approved plans, following WFP rules and regulations. Monitor country-level funding status.

STANDARD MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education

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

Experience

A minimum of eight years of progressive professional responsibility in international humanitarian project/programme/logistics implementation, with at least two years in a senior position.

Desired Experience

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

Language

• A level C qualification (proficiency or mother tongue) in one of the UN languages (preferably English, French, Spanish, or Arabic) is mandatory.
• Good working knowledge in English is essential, while knowledge of another UN language (particularly French, Spanish, or Arabic) is an asset.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Willingness and ability to deploy at short notice to areas with potentially challenging environments for a minimum duration of one month is a strict requirement. Ability to quickly adapt to and establish new operations or integrate into ongoing activities as surge staff.
• Leadership and decision-making skills, with the ability to develop a strategic vision and shared goals based on humanitarian principles, demonstrating integrity, a results-oriented and proactive engagement approach, and attention to gender and cultural sensitivities, fostering a climate of teamwork internally and externally, and encouraging mutual learning.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to establish and manage collaboration and coordination, including chairing or contributing to multilateral working groups, working across a diverse group of stakeholders (internally and externally), building consensus, and delivering joint outputs. Excellent listening and written and verbal communication skills.
• Analytical skills, including the ability to analyze 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 achieve objectives in challenging circumstances. Project management skills including planning, timely execution, monitoring and controlling, and closure or transfer of activities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, and other related software.

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Understanding of stakeholders' mandates, considerations, and requirements.
• Ability to comprehend and anticipate information needs of stakeholder groups.
• Understanding the international humanitarian response architecture, including key stakeholders, coordination mechanisms, Humanitarian Reform, humanitarian action, and international emergency response funding mechanisms.