International Logistics Specialist

Organizational Setting

The worst Desert Locust outbreak in decades is underway in the Greater Horn of Africa, where tens of thousands of hectares of cropland and pasture have been damaged, in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. Northeastern Uganda is at significant risk of locust infestation that could bring severe consequences for agriculture-based livelihoods in regions like Karamoja and Teso, where food security is already fragile. The first swarms of Desert Locusts entered Uganda in February 2020 sporadically spreading inland throughout May 2020. New locust swarms were sighted in Uganda just recently, in August 2020.

FAO Uganda is working tirelessly in coordination with local Government Authorities as well as with the Sub-regional Resilience Team for Eastern Africa (RTEA), based in Nairobi, to bring Desert Locust upsurge under control and mitigate its impact on livelihoods and food security through implementing control, surveillance and livelihood recovery activities.

Reporting Lines

Under the supervision of the FAO Uganda Operations Specialist and in close coordination with the FAO Uganda Programme, Procurement and Operations Units

Technical Focus

Within this framework, the presence of a Logistics Specialist is instrumental for ensuring the timely and effective implementation of the DL emergency programme in Uganda through receipt, handling, distribution, and handover of inputs, coordination and collaboration with partners (including, but not limited to, UN sister agencies and Government authorities) and the overall strengthening of FAO Uganda logistics expertise.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Logistics Specialist will be responsible for the following tasks:

· Manage, coordinate and report on Logistics aspects/activities related to the Desert Locust emergency response programme in Uganda;

· Support Government authorities (Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries – MAAIF) and FAO in tracking Desert Locust inputs from FAO and other sources and dispatching to all desert locust operational centers;

· Support in ensuring the establishment of appropriate stock control mechanisms, specifically to Desert Locust purchased commodities (e.g. Chemical Pesticides, Agricultural inputs, etc.) and in conformity with FAO standards and regulations;

· Ensure presence to FAO Uganda Desert Locust coordination meetings and provide up-to-date information on existing stocks, challenges and opportunities to inform decision-making;

· Ensure that all Logistics activities are carried out effectively and in line with FAO rules and procedures;

• Supervise and strengthen the capacity of local logistics expertise; and
• Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

· University degree in Procurement, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, or other relevant field;

· Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in applications of humanitarian response

· Working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

· Results Focus

· Teamwork

· Communication

· Building Effective Relationships

· Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

· Experience with one or more of the following disciplines: air operations, supply chain management, logistics

· Ability to analyze data, synthesize complex technical information, and communicate it clearly and concisely through written technical reports;

· Ability to present information and data in understandable tables and graphs;

· Strong oral communications skills;

· Excellent strategic visioning, creative thinking and problem solving skills;

· High level of integrity and accountability, commitment, and flexible approaches to work;

· Ability to work under pressure and within multidisciplinary teams of different cultural backgrounds;

• Work experience in East Africa is desirable.