Location: Nairobi, within the EAU
Duration: 15 months
Full-time position
Reporting to: Hierarchically to the Head of the Displacement Unit. Functionally to the Head of Operational Logistics. Makes part of the LogOps platform together with the Logistic advisors of the Operational cells.
Start date: September 2015
Salary: level 4a
I.GENERAL CONTEXT
Médecins Sans Frontières is an international independent medical-humanitarian organization, which offers assistance to populations in distress, to victims of natural or man-made disasters and to victims of armed conflict, without discrimination and irrespective of race, religion, creed or political affiliation.
The MSF movement is built around five operational directorates supported by 23 sections and offices worldwide. MSF OCBA is one of those directorates. The operations are implemented by 41 field teams and 20 mission coordination teams and organizational units based in Barcelona, Athens, Nairobi and Buenos Aires. The field operations are guided and supported by 5 Operational Cells, the Emergency Unit and other departments supporting operations, including the Medical Department and Organization & Systems.
II.BACKGROUND
The MSF East African Unit (EAU) has entered a period of expansion as clearly recommended in the November 2013 external evaluation and distinctly expressed in the OCBA strategic plan 2014-2017, with the strong conviction and evidences, that placing capacities in regional hubs does contribute to the general improvement in the quality of the OCBA operations.
Directions for the expansion of the EAU capacity were part of the recommendations of an analysis done in February 2015 identifying the medical opportunities and added values within the Nairobi humanitarian hub. Among the proposals, the creation of a Displacement Unit was given priority based on : the needs detected in the field, the available expertise and experience in the Nairobi humanitarian hub and the OCBA specialisation plan for the decentralised Units.
The Displacement Unit aims at identifying field operational difficulties, propose adapted solutions and support the field implementation through partnering with a range of international and local organisations in order to improve the quality of support to the OCBA missions assisting displaced populations.
Logistics , medical , HA and IT are the four areas where initially the Displacement Unit will focus.
III. PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION
The Displacement Unit Operational Logistics Project Manager, hierarchically, reports to the Head of the Displacement Unit and functionally to the Head of the Operational Logistics. He/she makes part of the LogOps platform together with the logistics Advisors of the Operational Cells, follow the Operations Department strategy and contributing to the evolution of the Logistics Department
IV.OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION
General objective
To lead the identification of needs, propose relevant and feasible solutions , support their implementation and evaluate the Logistics Area projects in the Displacement Unit portfolio.
Specific objectives
To create ownership of the Centre among OCBA Log Department being the Centre is part of their planning
To create and make functional a core group of external partners to widen the potential for innovative ideas/practices/commodities
To deliver tangible outcomes as per the planned deliverables in the Log area
V. RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS
Is focal point for the recollection of logistic and new technologic ideas that could improve the situation of the displaced populations.
• Organize idea generating and problem solving workshops in the field and in the headquarter (focus: logistics, new technologies, displaced populations)
• Setup and maintains a network related to his function and participates to events, focusing on the Eastern African region.
• Maintain a database of ideas and champion the most relevant ones internally or externally when appropriate
Ensures the agreed outcomes of logistic & new technology projects of the Unit:
• Lead the initiation, planning, execution/monitoring and closing of the HQ projects that have been assigned to him/her
• Manages multi-disciplinary teams that could include existing resources from other departments, external resource or temporary staff hired in case needed.
• Gives direct support/supervision to the field teams regarding the initiation, planning, executing/monitoring and closing of the field sub-projects that has been assigned to her/him.
Participatesto emergency deployment when required
Participatesto the planning of the Unit and ensures adequate reporting
DELIVERABLES
Biannual plan 2015-16 with budget, objectives, activities, time frame and outputs:
Actors database
At the end of 2015 to have 1 log output -ready to be implemented in one or more field missions .
At the end of 2016 to have cumulatively 2 (or more) logistic outputs
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Degree from University or Higher Institute
Minimum of 2 years field experience with MSF as log in coordination positions
Highly knowledgeable of and interested in the international humanitarian context and population displacement in particular
Fluent in English. Knowledge of French will be an asset
Versed in new technologies (GIS and mobile data) and knowledge of the latests innovation related to humanitarian contexts
Experience in project management is an asset
COMPETENCIES
· Commitment to MSF’s Principles
· Cross-cultural Awareness
· Behavioural Flexibility
· Strategic Vision
· Results and Quality Orientation
· Service Orientation
· Planning and Organising
· Initiative and Innovation
· Teamwork and Cooperation
· Leadership Out of the box thinking
HOW TO APPLY:
Applicants should send their curriculum vitae and cover motivation letter by August 10, 2015 under the reference “Displacement Unit - Operational Logistics Referent´´ to:
MSF will contact only short-listed candidates.
