Afghanistan: LOGISTICS MANAGER - Afghanistan
Country: Afghanistan
Closing date: 31 Aug 2013
LOGISTICS MANAGER - Afghanistan
Terms of Reference
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is looking for a very experienced Logistics Manager to manage countrywide logistics in Afghanistan. The Logistic Programme Manager will be based in Kabul, with frequent travels to field areas.
Background
Afghanistan has experienced more than three decades of war, political upheaval and insecurity, resulting in millions of Afghans fleeing the country for protection in neighbouring countries, primarily Iran and Pakistan. Challenges for a sustainable reintegration process of the magnitude Afghanistan is facing are vast and diverse, including insecurity and conflict, scarcity of land, shortage of housing, and foremost lack of livelihood and sufficient income. This is compounded by limited Government capacity to deliver basic services and address the acute shortage of livelihood opportunities coupled with significant ‘urbanization’ of returnees, protection concerns, acute gender inequalities, and frequent natural disasters.
Promoting solutions for internally displaced persons on the lines of internationally acceptable principles, including local integration as a possible solution alongside return, is challenging. Since 2002, over 5.6 million Afghan refugees have returned home; 90% of whom have been assisted by UNHCR. While the number of returns has significantly decreased in recent years, this has been the largest UNHCR voluntary repatriation worldwide. These returnees represent nearly a quarter of Afghanistan’s population, yet more than 40% have not fully reintegrated, and there are almost half a million IDPs who are also not integrated; given their inherent destabilizing potential, this represents a significant security concern.
This environment does not suggest that the complex refugee displacement and migration challenges will be resolved during 2013-2014. Political sensitivities with - and vested interests in - the asylum and neighbouring countries will also influence the situation. A significant portion of the Afghan returnees - particularly the very vulnerable - have not really benefited from ongoing development programmes, and they are still in need of protection and assistance to ensure sustainable reintegration. The profile of registered Afghans still in Iran and Pakistan indicates that their voluntary return will pose qualitatively different challenges, despite efforts to support reintegration in Afghanistan. Nevertheless, it is anticipated that thousands of Afghans could potentially return within 2013. A large number of undocumented Afghans in both Iran and Pakistan move irregularly and/or seasonally for socio-economic and livelihood reasons.
DRC’s operation in Afghanistan is an integral part of the wider regional response to Afghan displacement, comprising operations in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and Tajikistan.
Main responsibilities
Under the supervision of the DRC Country Director, the Logistics Manager is responsible for the management and overall execution of the logistics operations of the Afghanistan DRC programme including the management of the UNHCR technical support project. The Logistics Manager will oversee a team of approximately 175 staff.
The role includes 2 main responsibilities:
1) Logistics management of the overall DRC operation;
2) Project Management of the Logistics & Technical Support to UNHCR Afghanistan.
Tasks
Management:
• Overall strategic leadership of the LTS project through coaching and training of the LTS Operations Manager and other key LTS staff as required;
• Ensure that UNHCR receives the best service through LTS project by using the available resources efficiently and timely;
• Create and execute LTS project work plans and revise as appropriate to meet changing needs and requirements;
• Determine and assess need for staff adjustment and make the appropriate recruitments if necessary;
• Warehouse management throughout Afghanistan for both DRC and UNHCR (LTS project);
• Transportation of NFI, FI, shelter materials, office & communication equipment and other items between warehouses as well as to field locations;
• Workshop management including repair and maintenance for UNHCR fleet and equipment;
• Management of UNHCR fuel, ensuring quality and mitigating risks of loss;
• DRC and UNHCR premises maintenance - including office and residential premises - throughout Afghanistan;
• Ensure timely logistical support including procurement to all DRC activities;
• Direct management of all Kabul based logistics staff;
• Technical management/support/capacity building of all field based DRC Logistics staff.
Finance and administration:
• Ensure logistics and procurement policies, procedures, and practices of DRC as expressed in the Operations Handbook are fully adhered and followed;
• Work closely with finance and admin departments to ensure that all necessary resources for the logistics operations, including LTS project are requested and obtained;
• Ensure all logs/procurement contracts are technically sound and are issued within the agreed working budget and in accordance with DRC regulations and procedures (OPS HB);
• Ensure procurement procedures compliance with donor policies in coordination with the HoFA;
• Ensure LTS documents are complete, up to date, and stored appropriately in coordination with the LTS senior staff.
Monitoring & Reporting:
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of the LTS project (narrative report) in coordination with the LTS Operations Manager and other senior LTS staff;
• Conducting physical stock verification as required and preparing and maintaining accurate stock reports and stock movement reports for UNHCR as per the relevant DRC-UNHCR sub-agreement;
• Preparing and maintaining truck movement reports;
• Maintaining quality and accurate fuel consumption reports;
• Support with relevant information the Finance & Administration dept. on the LTS financial reporting;
• Ensure quality logistics and procurement reporting for the overall DRC programme in Afghanistan.
Security:
• Ensure security protocols compliance within all DRC Logistics activities in line with the Kabul Safety & Security Department.
Representation:
• Actively participate to any Logistics related coordination mechanisms/forums in Afghanistan and ensure information is shared with the DRC senior management; Strengthen DRC’s position and visibility as appropriate in accordance with the Country Director.
Accountability:
• Guided by the DRC Programme and Operations Handbooks, continuously monitor and ensure its implementation.
Programme development:
• Be a driving force in terms of developing LTS project as per UNHCR needs versus DRC capacities;
• Support in proposal development from logistics side.
Qualifications
• Degree in relevant discipline.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in humanitarian logistics with progressive management responsibilities.
• Proven ability with respect to the design, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of large-scale countrywide logistic programmes.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Strong interpersonal communication and writing skills.
• Highly motivated, results-oriented, and creative in problem-solving.
• Ability to cope with heavy workloads and to work under pressure.
• Ability to work independently and as part of the team.
• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability.
• Experience in Afghanistan or in similar complex displacement scenarios is highly desirable.
• Fluency in written and spoken English; knowledge of Dari and/or Pashto would be an asset.
Conditions
• Duty station: Kabul, with frequent travels to Herat, Jalalabad, Mazar-e-Sharif and Kandahar, Afghanistan.
• Availability: as soon as possible.
• Contract: 6 months, with possibility of extension subject to performance.
• Salary and other conditions in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates, which can be found on our website www.drc.dk under Vacancies. The position is placed at category A9.
Further information
You are welcome to contact Mr. Kyriakos Giaglis, Country Director (cd.drc.afghanistan@drc.dk) or Mr. David Blanc, Regional Director (rd.afghanistan@drc.dk) for further information on the position.
Please note that applications are not to be sent to Mr. Giaglis or Mr. Blanc, as we only receive applications via our online-application system on www.drc.dk. Applications sent directly to Mr. Giaglis or Mr. Blanc will not be taken into consideration.
About DRC
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent, humanitarian organization working on all aspects of the refugee cause in more than twenty five countries throughout the world. The aim of DRC is to protect refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) against persecution and to promote durable solutions to the problems of forced migration, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works in accordance with the UN Conventions on Refugees and the Code of Conduct for the ICRC and NGOs in Disaster Relief.
The protection and assistance to conflict affected population is provided within a long-term, regional and rights-based approach in order to constitute a coherent and effective response to the challenges posed by today’s conflicts. Assistance consists of relief and other humanitarian aid, rehabilitation, support to return and repatriation as well as promotion of long-term solutions to displacement and its causes. In addition, support and capacity building of local and national authorities and NGOs form an integral part of DRC’s work.
The goal of DRC’s work in Afghanistan is to promote durable solutions to refugee and displacement problems, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC focuses mainly on livelihood and infrastructure support to the increasing number of returnees and IDPs squatting in the informal settlements and slum areas of Kabul, where living conditions are deplorable and health hazards accelerated due to poor shelter, lack of access to basic necessities, and scarce employment opportunities.
How to apply:
ApplicationWe only receive applications via our online-application system on www.drc.dk.
Please submit your application by August 31st, 2013. Please contact job@drc.dk, if you have questions to the application process or experience problems with your on-line application.
