CHARITY JOBS IN AFRICA

Organization: Mercy Corps
Country: Central African Republic
Closing date: 22 Dec 2014

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps has been operational in the Central African Republic (CAR) since September 2007. With a focus on development and transitional programming, Mercy Corps is implementing water/sanitation, food security, livelihoods, civil society building, gender-based violence (GBV) and protection programs throughout the country. Programs focus on a range of interventions, including access to justice and GBV prevention, boosting agricultural livelihoods, water, sanitation, and hygiene, and build resilience and strengthening the protective environment for communities affected by violence. Recent developments of sectarian violence in the central and western portion of the country present new challenges for communities already impacted by instability following a March 2013 coup by Seleka rebels. Mercy Corps CAR is well-positioned to intervene with programming that engages divided communities into peace dialogue, conflict mitigation, protection and economic development activities that aim to build community resilience against violence and insecurity.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Logistician is supporting the Operations Manager in supervising all logistics, administrative and HR functions in CAR in order to ensure the smooth, timely and cost-effective provision of logistics support to programs. The Logistician is responsible for supporting the Operations Manager on Procurement, Assets, IT, Fleet, Warehousing, Contracts and Leases. S/he ensures compliance with donor regulations as well as supporting the development and roll out of improved Mercy Corps’ internal systems, policies and procedures, including updating local manuals and policies and building the capacity of local operations team members. Providing training and ensuring close collaboration with program staff is also necessary. S/he provides support and advises the Operations Manager and the country leadership and other team members on logistics issues to ensure transparency, efficiency and compliance.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Strategy and Vision

• Support the development and the implementation of logistics and procurement, plans and procedures based on program needs.
• Train the logistics team to operate Mercy Corps offices.
• Read program proposals and effectively contribute to program implementation and development.

Team Management

• Facilitate operations aspects of program planning, and upcoming operations resources needs, especially procurement.
• Work with all Mercy Corps staff to ensure smooth introduction and adoption of operational systems.
• Assist teams in understanding their roles and responsibilities in terms of interaction with operations.
• Train logistics and the whole team on proper implementation of Mercy Corps systems of management, compliance and control as described in Mercy Corps field manuals contained in the Office in a Box.
• Work with finance compliance to mitigate fraud, conflict of interest and legal ramifications of Mercy Corps activities.

Logistics Management

• Establish the receiving end of the pipeline of program and office related supplies, overseeing the logistical aspects of the operation as well as movements as needed.
• Dispatch program and office related supplies per policy and with coordination with the receiving team.
• Ensure transport procedures are followed as described in the Warehouse Policy and Procedures Guidelines.
• Supervise the fleet and ensure systems to track maintenance, fuel usage and vehicle scheduling.
• Maintain the Service Contract and Contracts database.
• Liaise with finance to ensure compliance and payment schedules.
• Maintain the asset registry and oversee equipment licensing and insurance.
• Maintain the office inventory.
• Coordination of all procurement functions compliance and control as described in Mercy Corps Field procurement, warehousing, fleet, and asset manuals.

Administration Management

• Ensure administration systems are implemented as described in the Field Administration Manual.
• Support the development and periodically review of country or field office specific policies and communicate them to teams.
• Oversee facility management, including housing and office leases; eEnsure that security standards are maintained at all premises.
• Manage the IT System of the offices as well as establish necessary protocol for server usage and data backup.

Representation

• Interface with stakeholders responsible for coordinating all supply shipments via the appropriate approval processes.
• Communicate with local partners in a manner consistent to the program team in terms of paperwork and documentation of goods.
• Establish and maintain productive relationships with all stakeholders, vendors, suppliers, etc.
• Attend all relevant meetings to the operations of MC within the greater humanitarian community in CAR.

Organizational Learning:As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries:Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: All country Operations Staff (Logistics, Administration and HR national staff)

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Operations Manager

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: all Mercy Corps staff

COLLABORATES WITH: All Mercy Corps logistics and operations team as required outside of CAR.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• BA/S or equivalent in relevant field
• 2-3 years field experience in operational support functions with a humanitarian non-governmental organization with a minimum of 2 years with supervisor responsibilities.
• Experience in setting up and managing procurement and logistics.
• Demonstrated understanding of complex emergencies, related security concerns, and appropriate responses to such emergencies.
• Good writing and communications skills.
• Excellent negotiation, representation, skills and the ability to work comfortably with an ethnically diverse staff in a very sensitive environment.
• Effective verbal and written communication, organizational, prioritization and Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Proven ability to solve problems independently without direct supervision.
• Experience living and working in CAR desirable.
• Knowledge of Mercy Corps systems and procedures (particularly Mercy Corps procurement systems) desirable.
• Excellent knowledge of French is essential (verbal and written), and English also preferred.
• Knowledge of major donors regulations helpful.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

A successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles and cultures, follow procedures, and meet deadlines with flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving. Consistently demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure, even under difficult circumstances. Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity. Demonstrate an awareness of his/her own strengths and development needs. S/he will have a proven ability to learn quickly, multi-task, prioritize, take initiative, and be accountable for results, understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details, problem solving, work within a complex and sensitive setting and to follow laws and security protocols. A willingness to relocate for short-term as necessary within coverage regions based on needs, work independently and as part of a team are essential. S/he will have knowledge of operations, security, logistics and procurement, which can be adapted to the CAR context. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations. In CAR, patience, diplomacy, tenacity, compassion, determination and a sense of humor are all success factors.

LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

This position is based in Bangui and is unaccompanied for spouses and/or children and includes hardship allowance and R&R benefits. Travel in country to sub-offices (Bouar, Bambari, Bangassou, and Rafai) estimated up to 30%. Recent increases in violence around the capitol and areas to the north and west has led to a more fluid and less stable situation on the ground. Hospitals and access to quality health care are very limited. Malaria is prevalent. It is estimated that 7-8% of the population may be HIV positive. Suitable group housing is available, but electricity and clean water are sometimes sporadic.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

How to apply:

Please apply directly at: http://mercycorps.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjo...