Logistics Officer

Organizational Setting

The Logistics Services Division (CSL) provides advice, guidance and oversight for FAO logistics operations both at headquarters (HQ) and in FAO decentralized offices; it provides policy and operational support to ensure that the Organization's supply chain functions effectively and efficiently based on best practices.

FAO Afghanistan is investing, across all 34 provinces, in resilience reinforcing actions that focus on protecting agriculture livelihoods and local ecosystems, boosting local production of nutritious foods and cash-incomes, and safeguarding critical agriculture sectoral development gains achieved over the past couple of decades through revitalizing rural markets and economy. In 2023, FAO will contribute to the humanitarian components of the United Nations Strategic Framework 2023-2025 through four priority actions: (i) Safeguarding Wheat Seed Security, (ii) Enhancing Local Production of Nutritious Food, (iii) Livestock Protection and Dairy Sector Support, and (iv) Restoring Irrigation Structures to Boost Cash Incomes. FAO will also contribute towards resilience building activities and longer-term transformational processes as part of the implementation of the United Nations Strategic Framework 2023-2025.

The position is located in CSL and based in the FAO Representation in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Reporting Lines

The Logistics Officer works under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Afghanistan and the direct supervision of the designated Senior Officer in FAO Afghanistan, with the technical guidance of the Director CSL. S/he maintains close cooperation with FAO Afghanistan procurement, programme and operations teams as well as other relevant stakeholders in FAO headquarters.

Technical Focus

The role requires a focused approach towards logistics and supply chain management in a complex duty station. This encompasses strategic planning, risk management, emergency response and implementing logistics operations in accordance with FAO guidelines and standards.

Key Results

Lead and coordinate logistics activities and ensures compliance with FAO's established policies and procedures and reflecting best practices to support the delivery of CSL's strategic objectives and of the FAO Afghanistan programme.

Key Functions

• Provides effective and timely planning, oversight, management and coordination of logistics support operations.

• Ensures effective and timely provision and coordination of diverse logistics support requirements.

• Develops and implements corporate supply chain strategies, policies, procedures, business models and solutions to meet operational requirements.

• Liaises between Decentralized Offices and headquarters staff on logistics matters and coordinates day-to-day support of logistics operations as needed.

• Analyses regional/country contexts and leads the design and management of end-to-end operational supply chain, to mitigate and address dynamic supply chain challenges and obtain operational optimization.

• Designs, plans and handles implementation of innovative supply chain operations, initiatives and large-scale services to ensure timely, cost-effective and integrated approach with core activities and services and in cooperation with key partners.

• Drives continuous improvement and innovation initiatives, analysing standard methodologies from the humanitarian and development fields, academia and the private sector.

• Coordinates and leads the implementation of corporate initiatives related to logistics in accordance with the Corporate Environmental Responsibility Strategy to reduce emissions, increase efficiency and integrate sustainability and in line with the Strategy for Sustainability Management in the UN System 2020-2030.

• Identifies potential operational risks and develops mitigation strategies.

• Understands the local conditions and potential disruptions due to security threats and infrastructure issues and develop tailored measures to counteract these challenges.

Specific Functions

• Participates in the implementation of corporate standards, with emphasis on quality control, loss prevention, risk mitigation, and cost-effectiveness.

• Ensures supply chain preparedness, oversees and coordinates periodic planning across functions and with partners to develop consensus on supply chain operational plans.

• Coordinates the implementation of agreed plans with key partners.

• Plans, monitors and manages resources to maximize the effectiveness of large supply chain operations following the emergency logistics preparedness practices in the relevant country context.

• Plans, monitors and manages FAO country office assets and premises, including IT services, providing timely solutions to ensure working requirements of an expanding workforce are addressed, taking into account the specificities of the complex context of Afghanistan.

• Plans, monitors and manages FAO country office vehicle fleet, including the oversight of fuel and maintenance contracts, ensuring efficient use of resources.

• Fosters productive partnerships with key partners amongst government and other national organizations, UN agencies, NGOs, the private sector and academia to share knowledge and resources and build capacity, resulting in coordinated and cost-effective supply chain operations.

• Represents the Organization at Logistics Cluster and relevant Operations Management Team (OMT) Working Group in Afghanistan.

• Ensures market analysis and supply chain network mapping to select appropriate operational modalities that will improve supply chain performance.

• Regularly reviews the performance of supply chain operations to ensure that appropriate internal controls are in place.

• Plans, monitors and effectively manages logistics contracts/Long Term Agreements (LTAs) of service providers/vendors (transport, warehousing, clearing agents, etc.), fleet and warehouse operations to promote safe, efficient planning and execution of FAO operations and safeguard FAO's interests.

• Ensures accurate record keeping and reporting on input movement (warehouse reports, transit reports, Good Received Notes (GRN), waybills) and regular stock taking.

• Provides accurate and timely reporting, including analysis of supply chain activities and trends to enable informed decision-making and consistency of information presented to a wide range of partners.

• Leads, motivates and develops the team by providing coaching, training and career guidance as required to ensure appropriate development and enable high performance.

• Coordinates and optimizes outbound logistics, ensuring timely and efficient products and commodities' transportation.

• Implements cost-effective strategies, considering the geographic contexts of Afghanistan.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree in law, business administration, economic, public administration or commerce or other related field and seven years of relevant experience in logistics activities in an international organization including a proven record of managing logistics operations and record of relevant field experience, OR

• A first-level degree in in law, business administration, economic, public administration or commerce or other related field and nine years of relevant experience in logistics activities and completion of Logistics and Transport professional qualification from an internationally recognized body such as CILT (Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport), CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) from the ASCM (Association for Supply Chain Management).

• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.

• Relevance and extent of experience in supply chain management and logistics operations in large national/international settings.

• Professional Certification and/or specialized courses in Supply Chain Management and or Logistics are considered a strong asset.

• Extent understanding of the functioning of the United Nations common system or international organizations, policies and procedures related to decentralized (field based) operations is desirable.

• Extent and relevance of experience in the field of the Corporate Environmental Responsibility.