Logistics Officer
Organizational Context
WFP Zambia is implementing a new five-year Country Strategic Plan (CSP) aligned with national priorities and SDGs. The CSP focuses on shifting from localized interventions to advocating for national policies and systems to achieve SDG2. WFP aims to provide innovative, sustainable, upstream technical assistance for nationally owned solutions, addressing both SDG2 and SDG17.
Job Purpose
The Logistics Officer reports to the Deputy Country Director and leads the logistics unit, providing strategic, technical, and operational leadership for all logistics activities. This role is crucial for ensuring the effective, efficient, compliant, and cost-effective delivery of logistics services, including transport, warehousing, and supply chain support, in alignment with WFP programmes and emergency response needs. The incumbent will manage logistics staff and resources, oversee planning, operational performance, risk mitigation, and emergency preparedness. Key responsibilities include advising senior management on logistics strategies, strengthening partnerships with stakeholders, and enhancing WFP's common logistics services and humanitarian logistics capabilities.
Responsibilities
The Logistics Officer is responsible for leading and managing the entire logistics function to ensure the effective planning, coordination, and delivery of logistics services supporting WFP operations, programs, and emergency responses. This includes supervising, coaching, and developing logistics staff, managing workload, and ensuring accountability and professional growth. The role involves advising senior management on logistics strategies, operational priorities, risks, and capacity needs, and developing/implementing work plans and performance monitoring mechanisms for efficient and compliant service delivery. Key duties encompass overseeing transport, warehousing, inventory management, and commodity handling, ensuring adherence to WFP policies. The officer monitors performance, analyzes data for improvements, and leads risk management, contingency planning, and emergency preparedness activities. Budget management, procurement planning, contract oversight, and fostering partnerships with stakeholders are also critical. Furthermore, the role includes leading capacity strengthening initiatives, coordinating logistics support for various operations, and preparing management reports to inform decision-making. The Logistics Officer represents WFP in relevant coordination forums and manages the expansion of common logistics services.
Work Experience
The role requires experience in managing logistics and supply chain operations, including transport, warehousing, and inventory management. Candidates should have experience planning, coordinating, and monitoring logistics in humanitarian, development, commercial, or public sectors. Experience with transport services, logistics contracts, customs clearance, and managing relationships with service providers and government authorities is necessary. The position also requires experience in emergency preparedness, contingency planning, and humanitarian response operations, as well as proficiency in using logistics information systems and data analysis tools.
Skills
Logistics Management, Supply Chain Operations, Transport Management, Warehousing, Inventory Management, Emergency Preparedness, Risk Management, Stakeholder Management, Capacity Building, Data Analysis, Procurement Planning, Contract Management, Team Leadership, Resource Management, Performance Monitoring