Position Title: Logistics Specialist
Receiving Agency: UNFPA
P Level: P3/P4
Location: Bamako, Mali (40% travel)
Duration: 6 months
Language: French and English required.
Background Description of Emergency / Justification for Request
Faced with a multidimensional crisis since 2012, Mali is going through one of the most difficult periods of this crisis. The security situation in Mali is extremely volatile and increasing numbers of people are continually attacked and/or displaced across the country in unpredictable patterns reaching 377,519 IDPs to date. The deterioration of relations between Mali and armed groups and various other partners has resulted in a sharp increase in insecurity across the country. This has resulted in serious human rights violations and other acts of terrorism, including the complete decimation of several villages and their inhabitants. These acts of terror have created fear among the populations of these areas, as well as among the few state agents (health and protection agents) who were still present in these areas, as well as led to a significant increase in gender-based violence and health concerns.
Security Situation Summary in country and main threats: (i.e armed conflict, terrorism, crime, social unrest, hazard)
Mali has been facing an acute economic, political and security crisis since 2012. Inter and intra-ethnic conflicts, the presence of non-state armed groups and terrorist attacks have all accrued instability, most notably in the North and Center of the country, but increasingly in the South as well. UN staff safety, security, access, and humanitarian needs continue to be a key concern especially in light of the MINUSMA withdrawal.
Role Description: (ensuring the description clearly relates how the role supports efforts on COVID-19 response) Under the overall supervision of the UNFPA Representative/ Senior Emergency Coordinator (in a scale up), the Logistician works in close collaboration with implementing partners, other agencies and field staff to coordinate overall logistics support for UNFPA operations and in particular ensure effective management of emergency RH commodities and supplies at the central and peripheral levels (including management systems to record, track and report receipt, storage, refrigeration, transportation and distribution of all UNFPA goods including medical supplies). The incumbent will also be responsible for liaising with relevant humanitarian stakeholders working in relevant sectors/Clusters, such as Health, WASH, Protection, Logistics, Camp Management, Education, etc. to ensure inclusion of commodities specific to UNFPA’s mandate in the overall national humanitarian response plan.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Rapid Assessments/Field Visits
- As appropriate, participate in joint field assessments or undertake UNFPA specific field visits/assessment missions to gain a better understanding of existing logistics infrastructure, warehousing facilities, health facilities and distribution systems.
Programme Implementation and Coordination
- Mobilize supplies (IARH Kits, Dignity Kits) to the affected areas.
- Identify possible gaps in the logistics pipeline and provide input on how to strengthen the logistics chain (from calculating needs to procurement to actual distribution, monitoring and reporting).
- Develop systems/standard protocols through which the UNFPA CO/Sub-office can operate, manage and forecast its emergency commodity needs (e.g. transportation, warehousing, distribution channels, contingency plans).
- Provide support in projecting future needs for prepositioning (as appropriate) emergency supplies.
- Liaise with the HQ Humanitarian Logistics Advisor and coordinate with global and country logistics clusters (if activated).
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Establish a monitoring mechanism that takes into consideration warehouse capacity, access, utilization rate, coverage and distribution to track and monitor emergency IARH kits and commodities.
- In collaboration with the humanitarian or SRH focal point, identify technical capacity of health facilities and personnel to utilize emergency IARH kits.
- Undertake monitoring visits to ensure proper storage, distribution, and utilization of emergency RH supplies.
- Track the receipt and distribution of all RH commodities and supplies.
Liaising/Coordination with Partner Agencies
- Liaise with humanitarian stakeholders working in relevant sectors/Clusters, such as Health, WASH, Protection, Logistics, Camp Management, Education, etc. to ensure inclusion of commodities specific to UNFPA’s mandate into the national humanitarian response plan.
- Establish partnerships with agencies that have broader logistics capacity than UNFPA (WFP, UNICEF, etc.) in order to facilitate movement of UNFPA commodities.
Reporting
- Provide regular updates on UNFPA RH commodities and supplies management for inclusion in donor reports and OCHA SitReps.
Capacity Development
- Provide coaching to newly recruited staff and consultants, where appropriate.
- Coach and build capacity of staff members and staff of implementing partners responding to crisis, as appropriate.
Any Other Duties
- Perform any other duties as required by the Representative and/or Head of Office
Qualifications and Skills Required:
- Advanced degree in logistics management or equivalent relevant professional certification in areas such as transport, distribution and supply chain management.
- Degree in public health, medicine or pharmacy preferable
- 5-7 years of relevant experience in logistics management.
- Managing medical supplies distribution, storage, transportation operations in emergency settings (military, commercial or with an international organization).
- Experience and knowledge of UN systems, especially UNFPA, is an advantage.
- Experience in challenging and complex humanitarian/emergency setting
- Good knowledge of humanitarian response.
- Proficiency in English and in other official languages or the UN required/desirable.
CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy for inaction to prevent, respond to and follow up on alleged cases of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.