Health Logistics Officer World Health Organization

Position Title: Health Logistic Officer

Grade: NOA

Major Office: WCO

Duty Station: ZAMBIA

Organization: AFRO WHO

Duration : Three (3) months

First Level Supervisor: Operations Support & Logistics Team Leader

Second Level Supervisor: Operations Officer

Purpose of the Position

In the context of the WHO’s Emergency Cholera Response, the incumbent will provide well-rounded logistics and operations support services. S/he will support the emergency team in the establishment of the tactical means to perform its mission in the best possible conditions, setting and managing all required working, living, communicating and transporting facilities, ensuring timely and adequate supply of the required medical and non-medical commodities and providing health logistics support to ensure that WHO health activities are performing to the required standards.

Under the supervision of the Operations Support & Logistics (OSL) Team Lead, the overall guidance of the Administrator, and WHO Representative, the incumbent acts as the health logistics officer to provide support to the Country Office emergency team, the Zambia Ministry of Health (MoH) and health partners. This involves ongoing contacts with a broad range of WHO staff and responders as well as a broad range of officials from the MOH, to provide technical support on priority actions to be taken and contribute in the design and implementation of logistics plans of action pertaining to the health emergencies, including identifying needs and gaps, advising health logistics unit of the MoH and partner support.

Summary of Assigned Duties

• Manage the necessary mechanism to coordinate the logistics capabilities of the health response partners to facilitate adequate support to the treatment facilities and outbreak related activities together with limiting the supply gaps of essential drugs and consumables.
• Support the definition of the OSL Cholera response strategy.
• Limit supply gaps in essential items: Forecast and quantify needs, and follow up the national supply pipeline to ensure no stock rupture.
• Ensure partners have access to technical guidance for the establishment and maintenance of treatment facilities (standard layout, blueprint, required list of services and equipment) and adequate support to the onsite health activities.
• Ensure that all aspects of Health Logistics related to Cholera Treatment Units and Centres (CTU/C) are covered and up to standard
• Ensure no stock out of critical supplies by analyzing daily, weekly and monthly consumption and by preparing a supply plan
• Assess and provide comments and solutions to OSL Team Leader on issues health logistics aspects related to CTC/CTU management

Main Tasks:

1. Support definition of the OSL Cholera response strategy:

• Lead health logistics in assigned district and ensure Cholera facilities are designed and maintained appropriately.
• Liaise with the health cluster and MoH.
• Participate in the definition of the Cholera response strategy.
• Amend and update strategy as per needs.
• Support quantification of needs.
• Assess on site existing capacity and identify support gaps

2. Limit supply gaps of essential items:

• Support the medical team in the definition of the needs (needs forecast)
• Monitor Zammsa/MoH and CTC/U stock levels
• Set up adequate system to monitor national and district supply pipeline
• Identify gaps in assigned area of operation and propose/stimulate set up of solutions
• Where available/necessary, manage WHO Province store.

3. Manage Province level Operations:

• Liaise regularly with counterpart in other provinces in relation to needs.
• Represent WHO OSL at Province Level

The WHO Field Health Logistics Officer will work under the supervision of the OSL TL and in close collaboration with the Administrator Operations Officer.

Recruitment Profile Competencies:

1. Teamwork;
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences;
3. Communication

Functional Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge logistics management in emergency context, with proven ability to identify and solve technical problems in difficult circumstances.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure.
• Proven ability to promote cohesive action and convince officials with tact and diplomacy.

Education Qualifications:

Essential

Degree in a relevant field in areas such as Logistics, transport, distribution and supply chain management.

Desirable

An advanced university degree in supply chain management, logistics, engineering, pharmacy or related field from an accredited/recognized institute.

Recognized / validated Logistics Training course (university, NGO, etc.), in special in stockpile and Supply chain management

Experience

Essential

Three years’ related experience, at the national levels, in managing emergency logistics operations and supply operations in international organizations/institutions, part of which in the field supporting emergency humanitarian operations.

Desirable

Prior working experience with WHO/UN, health clusters partners, recognized humanitarian organizations or with an international nongovernmental organization.

Experience or knowledge of managing Cholera Response.

3. Use of Language Skills

Fluent in English. Knowledge of local language is a distinct advantage.

Other Skills (e.g. IT)

• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Technical skills in construction, plumbing or electricity
• Demonstrated skills in using equipment such radio VHF, HF and satellite phones.