Shipping Officer (Liner) P3 - Rome, Italy

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WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles.

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.

BACKGROUND & ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

WFP’s dedicated Ocean Transportation Service, based in its Headquarters in Rome, is responsible for the contracting and movement of food commodities by Liner or Charter vessels. Working with a network of freight forwarders, shipbrokers and ships agents, WFP in 2017 moved cargo from 60 load ports to 75 discharge ports across five continents. Shipping over 3 million mt of food annually, our Service provides cost-effective and timely shipping services to support both the emergency and regular needs of WFP. The Service supports the mission of the Programme to help the world achieve Zero Hunger. We welcome you to be part of the WFP’s exciting journey to facilitate humanitarian assistance to the world’s vulnerable populations.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

• Identify the most efficient mode of calling forward commodities, liaising with appropriate staff in the Country Office, Regional Bureau, and Resources and Procurement Divisions, taking into consideration the type of commodity, quantity, port conditions, weather conditions, freight market condition, and general programme needs.
• Explore and stay on top of Liner/containers freight markets and trends, negotiate and finalize ocean transportation arrangements with commercial shipping lines on either spot, short or long-term basis or conclude individual rate agreements.
• Consolidate and plan shipments both for quotation to the Liner market and where applicable for presentation to the Charter market through the Chartering officer.
• Handle the operational aspects of Liner vessels carrying WFP commodities, including loading and discharging operations and the contracting of stevedoring services.
• Oversee performance of WFP’s shipping and forwarding agents, stevedores, and other ancillary contractors to ensure efficient operations, and provide input in the annual performance review.
• Contribute to supply chain by providing technical support and advice to other services, divisions, and Country Offices, particularly for emergency response.
• Identify, regularly monitor and lead contractual, operational and supply chain risks relevant to shipping activities.
• Follow WFP standard performance management guidelines and practices to contribute to achieving Service objectives and support the design and execution of staff learning and development activities.
• Build positive relationships with logistics colleagues and staff widely in the organization and support partnership building with donors, humanitarian agencies and other institutions to support efficient and effective shipping operations.
• Liaise closely with agents and suppliers to make sure that cargo readiness matches vessels arrival.
• Collect and analyze data through market analysis, research and networking with colleagues and recommend actions to improve shipping performance.
• Collate data and prepare accurate and timely reports, including important metrics, supporting a WFP-wide view of shipping activities that enable informed decision-making and consistency of information presented to strategic partners.
• Participate in the ongoing review of internal processes and procedures and identify ways to increase the day-to-day efficiency of the teams.
• Follow emergency logistics preparedness practices to ensure WFP is able to quickly respond and deploy food and needed resources to affected areas at the onset of the crisis.
• Lead and motivate a small team, providing mentoring, training, and guidance to ensure appropriate development and enable high performance.
• Contribute to the development of shipping plans and processes ensuring conformity with wider logistics operations, policies, and WFP standards.
• Contribute to the preparation and implementation of policy guidelines and operational directives and procedures in respect of ocean transport activity.
• Other duties as assigned, including participation in field missions when necessary.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Work experience: At least five (5) years of professional post-graduate experience in shipping operations and freight forwarding.

Education: Advanced University degree in Transport Economics, Supply Chain, Shipping, Logistics or other relevant areas; Or First University degree with additional years of relevant experience; Or a certificate from a well-recognized maritime institution with additional years of relevant experience.

Language: Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or WFP’s working language, Portuguese.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• You have shown experience in commercial or government transportation sectors.
• In conjunction with Country Offices and other Supply Chain actors, you have identified the best shipping modality/timing and liaised with agents and suppliers to ensure cargo readiness.
• You have led networks of freight forwarding, shipping lines and charter protecting agents at load and discharge ports.
• You have handled the discharging operations for chartered vessels and the contracting of stevedoring services.
• You have displayed ability to negotiate and conclude ocean transportation contractual agreements with commercial shipping lines and ship owners.
• You have supervised teams of multicultural backgrounds.
• Experience using SAP is an asset.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term as well as a rotational contract with a probationary period of one year. WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance. For more details please visit icsc.un.org.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

10 October, 2021

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Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.