Logistics/Supply Officer

Mission and objectives

MONUSCO/MONUC was established in 1999 under the auspices of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). SCR 2277 (2016) requests MONUSCO to support efforts of the Government of DRC towards the protection of civilians, through a comprehensive approach involving all components of MONUSCO, including through reduction of the threat posed by Congolese and foreign armed groups and of violence against civilians, including sexual and gender-based violence and violence against children to a level that can be effectively managed by the Congolese justice and security institutions; and to support Stabilization through the establishment of functional, professional, and accountable state institutions, including security and judicial institutions. The project aims at a better understanding of the most serious violations of human rights law and international humanitarian law in DRC and supports the leadership of the Mission through informed policy and decision making on future vetting of security forces through risk assessment and mitigation, joint planning for MONUSCO operations, as well as advocacy efforts.

Context

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Integrated Warehouse (IW), the duties of the Logistics Officer will include but are not limited to the below Task descriptions, among others.

Task Description

• Liaise and monitor inbound shipments and subsequently advise the Integrated Warehouses on resource requirements such as manpower, Material Handling Equipment (MHE) needs, and space allocation and utilization in the warehouses;
• Assist in tracking and monitoring the status of contracts and Purchase Orders (POs) in coordination with Procurement to plan the receipts of goods into the warehouses;
• Liaise daily with the Movement Control (MOVCON ) and Transport Unit on movements of mission cargo; track, monitor, and coordinate timely delivery of all incoming and outgoing cargo while ensuring full utilization of transport resources;
• Analyse and assess the requirements and mobilization of resources such as MHE and Individual Contractors (ICs), and ramp space at the Integrated Warehouses for receipt of incoming goods;
• Advise Integrated Warehouses of incoming cargo for preparation of resources such as personnel for unloading and MHE required, to ensure availability of space in warehouse and distribution plans;
• Submit regular reports for a continuous overview of supply chain operations including volumes, values, incoming goods, warehouse stocks, and distribution;
• Maintain and update different boards for Transport Unit's movements of goods, Joint Movement Coordination Cell (JMCC) aircraft movements, request space for backlog cargo, and Cargo Movement Request (CMR) tracking;
• Develop and maintain transaction history files of assets using both manual and automated tools such as Business Data Analytics reporting tools and SAP/UMOJA;
• Create customized views through Business Intelligence or other reporting tools to analyse inventory status as required;
• Conduct accurate inventory performance analyses using various metrics: service levels, comparative forecast calculations, unusual usage, safety/contingency stock calculator, minimum/maximum analyses, excess inventory analysis, ranking (ABC) analysis, etc.;
• Manage analysis and performance monitoring of the effectiveness and execution of asset control procedures applied in Warehousing Operations, ensuring accountability and proper tracking mechanisms to meet expected organizational standards and goals;
• Identify and implement solutions to problematic areas of asset control processes and oversee an effective support process to sustain the asset control system and the control of UN property;
• Verify the accuracy of data recorded/updated in the asset control system, and monitor stock and bin-card data as captured in the Inventory Management System (SAP/UMOJA);
• Monitor the Inventory Management System to ensure that all non-expendable items received in the mission are entered and records updated by the Receiving & Inspection Unit;
• Monitor assets and material in the Integrated Warehouses, identify discrepancies in inventory, and liaise with asset holders to resolve problems as required;
• When overseeing the work of national staff or (non-)governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs), the Volunteer is strongly encouraged to set aside dedicated time for capacity development through coaching, mentoring, formal, and on-the-job training;
• Perform any other related tasks as required by the supervisor.

Competencies and values

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented.
• Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working
• relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Living conditions and remarks

The Democratic Republic of Congo is the second largest country in Africa, and as a result is quite diverse. Living conditions therefore vary between MONUSCO duty stations, with all usual amenities present in the capital Kinshasa, but only very basic conditions in remote duty stations in the provinces, where, for instance, there may be no guarantee of public power supply nor running water. The ability to live and work in difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries is essential. Accommodation is very expensive in both Kinshasa and Lubumbashi. Supermarkets exist in the large towns (e.g. Bukavu, Kisangani), but consumer items are generally very expensive (as everything is imported). For food, local markets offer a much cheaper alternative. All MONUSCO duty stations are considered non-family duty stations, except for Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Entebbe which are now considered family duty stations, and most are currently under UN Security Phase III (“relocation phase”: internationally-recruited staff are temporarily concentrated or relocated to specified sites/locations). In addition to insecurity related to the relatively volatile political situation as well as various conflict situations, certain places are subject to increasing street and residential crime, including in Kinshasa and Goma. Some degree of medical service is provided in all MONUSCO duty stations. Certain vaccinations are mandatory for MONUSCO personnel to enter the DRC, while others are compulsory for all other incoming persons. It is possible for incoming MONUSCO personnel, including UN Volunteers, to be asked to provide proof of some or all vaccinations, though this is unlikely. All UN Volunteers must ensure that they are up-to-date with all appropriate vaccinations, which should be clearly and properly endorsed in the International Certificate of Vaccination (“carte jaune”). Malaria is present virtually throughout the DRC, and it is therefore recommended to take prophylaxis. The unit of currency is the Congolese Franc. The US dollar is the other preferred currency. It may be impossible to exchange traveller’s checks away from the capital city. Credit cards are usually accepted in major hotels only in Kinshasa. In larger towns and cities (e.g. Kinshasa, Goma, Bukavu, Kisangani), UN Volunteers are recommended to open US Dollar bank accounts, while in other places, banks may be absent (including ATMs) and VLA payments will be processed in cash. UN Volunteers have the possibility to send part of their allowances to a bank account abroad. In addition to French, there are four major spoken languages in DRC, namely Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba and Swahili.