LOGISTICS SPECIALIST, NO-3, FIXED TERM, #108604; DOUALA-CAMEROON, WCAR, CAMEROON NATIONALS ONLY

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, protection

UNICEF has been working in Cameroon since 1975 in order to allow women and children to fully realize their rights to development without restriction, as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. UNICEF provides financials and technical support to Cameroon across seven areas in an effort to fully realize the rights of women and children. These areas include Health, HIV/AIDS, Water-sanitation-Hygiene, nutrition, education, child protection and social inclusion. UNICEF focuses mainly on children and the most vulnerable and excluded families. Cameroon 2020 population is estimated at 26,545,863 people according to UN data. The population is young and generates strong socioeconomic demand. In rural areas, limited access to basic social services and effects of climate changes lead to household impoverishment and severe child deprivations. The task is immense but not insurmountable; it requires the energy of all stakeholders in Cameroon and out of Cameroon: also, women, men, youth and children, government, technical and financial partners, donors, civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians, communities. Everyone is invited to take part in the struggle to meet the challenges that lie ahead. It is together that we will act for Cameroon, a country which summarizes the challenges and hopes of Africa.

How can you make a difference?

The post of Logistics Specialist, NO3 is based in Douala, Cameroon.
Under the administrative responsibility of the Country Office Representative based in Yaounde, but technically supervised by the Regional Chief of Supply in the West and Central Africa Regional Office in Dakar, Senegal, the main objectives of this post are:

• Manage the transit traffic of cargoes destined to UNICEF Cameroon, Central African Republic and Chad to ensure rapid resolution of bottlenecks and arrival at destination.

• Provide technical support and guidance to the countries of the sub-region in the planning and execution of their logistics operations.
• Manage the sub-regional contingency stockpile to be based in Douala.
• Technical and advisory support to government/national systems
• Innovation, products, and markets

Major duties and responsibilities:

1. Management of the Logistics team

• Prepare the annual work plan for the Logistics team; determine priorities/targets and performance measurements and monitor work progress to ensure that results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards.

• Supervise and coach team members, ensure timely performance management of staff. In collaboration with Supply Division, Regional Office and the global supply community, ensure knowledge sharing and learning is prioritized in order to continuously build capacity of individuals and the team.

• In consultation with supervisor, ensure establishment and maintenance of operational capacity to handle the HUB supply chains, including staffing (appropriate staffing structure, timely recruitment, clarity of roles and responsibilities) and contracting of third party services if applicable (e.g. customs clearance, warehousing, transport, distribution)

2. Management of the goods in transit to Cameroon, CAR and Chad

• Support the logistics chain and solve custom clearance, reception and trans-shipment bottlenecks at the Douala level for goods consigned to the UNICEF Country Offices in Cameroon, Chad and Central African Republic:
– Optimize timely delivery of material and equipment;
– Follow up on claims arising from shipments
– Advise Supply Division in Copenhagen and the Regional Office in Dakar on quality deficiencies and the appropriateness of goods shipped.

• Provide strategic and technical guidance in the development and coordination of cross border and sub-regional supply initiatives:
– Support the Country Office in Cameroon in the establishment of Long Term Agreements for goods and services to support the countries of the sub-region;
– Support local procurement in Douala for the sub-region and arrange transport to the respective countries. Conduct market research, identify and evaluate local suppliers. Follow-up on local procurement claims.

• Analyze logistics dashboards, implementation rates of logistics/transit key performance indicators and data from various systems and conduct root cause analysis of Logistics bottlenecks and challenges, with a view to drive improvements and ensure efficient and effective transit of goods

• Ensure adequate support if needed to COs that procured goods in Douala for the shipping of these commodities,

• Escalate performance issues of the Global freight forwarder to the RO. Anticipate bottlenecks and address them in consultation with the RO to the freight forwarder or the Customs authorities.

3. Emergency management

• In close collaboration with the Regional Office and Supply Division, develop the business plan for the sub-regional emergency stock pile to be based in Douala; guide the development and implementation of the stockpile; manage the stockpile and related aspects when established. Contribute to pilots and support the actual roll-out of new products and services, in close collaboration with Supply Division.

• Supervise the management of the Emergency hub and all dispatches to CO in the region. Ensure to trigger the replenishment of Emergency supplies with the RO.

• Reinforce the emergency response capacity of the countries of the larger sub-region:

– Support Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Gabon and Republic of Congo UNICEF offices in updating and implementing contingency plans and checklists for operational and programme response;
– Provide supply and logistics surge capacity during the first weeks of an emergency;
• Participate in inter-agency initiatives to improve the coordination of humanitarian response in the sub-region.

4. Technical and advisory support to government/national systems
• Promote/drive supply chain strengthening and change management initiatives with governments and partners, to ensure efficient and effective supply chains for children.
• Provide input to capacity development initiatives in the area of supply chains for children, in close collaboration with programme colleagues. Support supply components of health systems strengthening as might be relevant in the country context.
• Advisory support to Governments/national systems in defining and determining supply solutions for children, such as use of procurement services; supply financing solutions; local market development; private sector engagement

5. Innovation, products and markets
• Contribute to pilots and support the actual roll-out of new products and services, in close collaboration with Supply Division.
• Promote critical thinking, innovative approaches, and good practices on supply chain management within the organization as well as with externals to ensure effective and efficient supply chains for children.
• Further to analysis of supply spend and related procurement strategies, in collaboration with supervisor run initiatives to ensure local market development where relevant.

Support to programme development and planning

• Conduct and update the situation analysis for the development, design and management of child protection related programmes/projects. Research and report on development trends (e.g. economic, social, health) and data for use in programme development, management, monitoring, evaluation and delivery of results.
• Contribute to the development and establishment of sectoral programme goals, objectives, strategies, and results-based planning through research, analysis and reporting of child protection and other related information for development planning and priority and goal setting.
• Provide technical and operational support throughout all stages of programming processes by executing and administering a variety of technical, programme, operational, and administrative transactions, preparing related materials and documentations, and complying with organizational processes and management systems, to support programme planning, results based planning (RBM) and monitoring and evaluating of results.
• Prepare required programme documentations, materials, and data to facilitate the programme review and approval process.

Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results

• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss implementation issues, provide solutions, recommendations and/or to alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level interventions and/or decisions. Keep records of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews with government and other counterparts to assess programmes/projects, and to report on required action/interventions at the higher level of programme management.
• Monitor and report on the use of sectoral programme resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verifying compliance with approved allocations, organizational rules, regulations, procedures and donor commitments, standards of accountability and integrity. Report on critical issues and findings to ensure timely resolution by management and stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.
• Prepare regular and mandated sectoral programme/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of programme progress.

Technical and operational support to programme implementation

• Conduct regular programme field visits and surveys and exchange information with partners/stakeholders to assess progress and provide technical support. Take appropriate action to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for resolution. Report on critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems for timely action to achieve results.
• Provide technical and operational support to government counterparts, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners/donors on the application and understanding of UNICEF policies, strategies, processes and best practices in child protection, to support programme implementation.

Networking and partnership building

• Build and sustain close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of information and knowledge to facilitate programme implementation and build capacity of stakeholders to achieve and sustain results on child protection.
• Participate in inter-agency meetings/events on programming to collaborate with inter-agency partners/colleagues on UNDAF operational planning and preparation of child protection programmes/projects, and to integrate and harmonize UNICEF’s position and strategies with UNDAF development and planning processes.
• Research information on potential donors and prepare resource mobilization materials and briefs for fund raising and partnership development purposes.
• Draft communication and information materials for CO programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnership/alliances and support fund raising for child protection programmes.

Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Identify, capture, synthesize, and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of stakeholders.
• Apply innovative approaches and promote good practices to support the implementation and delivery of concrete and sustainable programme results.
• Research and report on best and cutting-edge practices for development planning of knowledge products and systems.
• Participate as a resource person in capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients and stakeholders.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree) in business, project management, supply chain management, transportation, logistics or international commerce or related field is required
• Minimum five (5) years of professional experience in transport or supply chain management is required. Mastering incoterms and experience in managing logistically complex medium- to large scale projects or company are required.
• Previous experience in multidisciplinary team and office management is an asset.
• Fluency in French and English is required. Proficiency in other UN language is an asset.

Skills

• Ability to resolve difficult, complex, and sensitive situations often under pressure.
• Ability to initiate and manage change in a diverse environment.
• Ability to clearly and concisely express ideas and concepts in written and oral form.
• Ability to manage and monitor the effective use of financial and material resources.
• Ability to supervise and direct a team of professional and support staff.
• Ability to work strategically to realize organizational goals, develop strategies, set clear visions.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills to establish and maintain trusted partnerships for achievement of objectives and to develop close and effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to identify and analyze systemic issues, formulate opinions and make conclusions and recommendations to resolve same.
• Skill in the identification of new opportunities or requirements to meet challenges in the field and propose changes.
• Strong knowledge of latest developments and technology in supply chain management.
• Strong understanding of supply chain processes, from programme needs assessment, through planning, procurement and contracting, logistics and delivery, monitoring and evaluation.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidate are encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.