ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme (WFP) is United Nations frontline agency in the fight against hunger, WFP is continually responding to emergencies. We save lives by getting food to the hungry fast. But WFP also works to help prevent hunger in the future. We do this through programmes that use food as a means to build assets, spread knowledge and nurture stronger, more dynamic communities. This helps communities become more food secure. On average, WFP aims to bring food assistance to more than 80 million people in 80 countries.

WFP Ethiopia is working with the Government and humanitarian partners to strengthen the resilience of Ethiopia’s most vulnerable population and to chart a more prosperous and sustainable future for the next generation. The Country Office also supports programmes that use food assistance to empower women; transform areas affected by climate change and keep children in school. It aims to contribute to Ethiopia’s five-year development agenda, the Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP), through which the Government combats food insecurity.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

These jobs are found in Addis Ababa Country Office. Job holders report to a Logistics Officer, Head of Unit or the designate.

At this level, job holders have independent responsibility for technical, specialized work including planning, organization and coordination and setting objectives for all assistance modalities for both WFP and logistics common services. They deal with issues that are often undefined and involve areas of uncertainty and complex inter-relationships. The instructions received are broad and the job holders consistently demonstrate a high degree of responsibility and initiative to independently manage activities and respond to queries. Job holders are expected to motivate and develop a team of support staff and/or are responsible for specialized support service(s) where the work is undertaken with the help of specially designed techniques, methods and processes.

JOB PURPOSE

Under the supervision of the Head of Operations, the Senior Logistics Associate shall be responsible for coordinating the Customs Clearance activities for all consignments for WFP Ethiopia projects and in-transit cargo, ensuring cargo are available on a timely basis in-country to support WFP activities.

The incumbent shall also supervise the overall activities of the Customs team and ensure all tasks and responsibilities are performed both timely and appropriately in coordination with the other supply chain functions, field offices and customs authorities.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

1. Provide specialized support to logistics operations and activities, following standard processes and contributing, directly or indirectly, to the effective delivery of food assistance to beneficiaries.
2. Lead the Customs function and coordinate the day-to-day activities of the Customs section.
3. Establish a work-plan for the Customs section and ensure all activities under the work plan are timely executed and performance targets met.
4. Support the development and implementation of procedures for logistics field operations ensuring that objectives are achieved in compliance with regional and functional strategies, policies, and plans.
5. Gather market intelligence through research and networking, coordinate vendor assessments (e.g. transporters, retailers), and produce relevant reports to support vendor selection process, thus improving the knowledge basis available to Country Offices, Region, and the Programme.
6. Ensure contracted service providers for Customs activities provide services both timely and as per the contracts and undertake regular performance monitoring and measurement, supported by analysis and recommendations.
7. Manage and coordinate a full range of documentation processing for execution of Customs activities and take appropriate actions to address issues and recommend improvements in processes.
8. Prepare accurate and timely accounting, data collection and reporting, to inform supply chain planning and enabling informed decision making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
9. Support in the liaison with various governmental, humanitarian and commercial actors in the region to advocate for improved Customs policies, infrastructure and processes and facilitate timely clearance and movement of WFP cargo from the corridors.
10. Perform research, collect data and conduct analysis as required to produce comprehensive reports, providing insight and recommendations that enable informed decision-making.
11. Manage a team(s) of staff providing technical advice, coaching, guidance and training, to ensure individual and team objectives are delivered to agreed standards and deadlines for all assistance modalities.
12. Participate in logistics emergency preparedness and response activities including Logistics Capacity Assessment and Contingency Plan update, to support WFP’s response in emergencies.
13. Perform any other duties as assigned.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Experience in commercial or humanitarian logistics sectors.
• Experience in dealing with shipments and clearing imports/exports with customs officials.
• Experience in preparing guideline and standard procedures.
• Experience in communication and reporting.
• Experience in working with logistics systems (databases, software).

Job Requirements

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A University degree with a focus in Logistics and Supply Chain or any other related field.

Experience: Seven or more years of progressively responsible work experience in the relative business stream out of which two years in Supply Chain operations and/or experience working on humanitarian or development context in the Customs field will have an added value.

Language: Fluency in both oral and written communication in English. Knowledge of the local language is an added advantage.

How to Apply

WFP is an equal opportunity employer. Female candidates meeting the above qualifications are encouraged to apply on-line through the WFP recruitment website.

This VA is open ONLY to Ethiopian Nationals.

Public access : Public- 126301

WFP staff access: WFP- 126301

Only qualified candidates will be contacted

Please note that WFP does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.