JOB TITLE: Regional Head ofLogistics Operations
including technical line management of West and Central Africa Logistics function
TEAM/PROGRAMME: West and Central Africa RegionalOperations Team / LOCATION: Dakar
GRADE: TBC / CONTRACT LENGTH:12 Months
CHILD SAFEGUARDING: Level 3 the role holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work in country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.
ROLE PURPOSE:
As a key member of the Regional Operations team you will be supporting the development of Save the Children’s strategic approach to logistics in West and Central Africa and identifying and building the capacity of logistics staff within the region.
You will work with Country Offices to build their logistics and operational capacity to plan and manage their supply chains and fleets efficiently and effectively, ensuring that programmes can meet their commitments and be accountable to beneficiaries and donors. You will be providing technical support to Country logistics managers and Focal points on all aspects of logistics and operational programme delivery in order to gain efficiencies in operational costs and improve the quality and timeliness of projects.
SCOPE OF ROLE:
Reports to: SCI WCA Regional Operations Director
Regional Dimensions: Save the Children works in 11 countries in West & Central Africa)with a large team of staff and half a billion USD portfolio across the region.The role focus is primarily for support and monitoring across West & Central Africa with technical line management and support to the WCA Regional Logistics team.
Staff directly reporting to this post:Regional log manager, regional roving log manager, regional supply chain log officer and technical management of country head of logs and where appropriate deployed/consultant logistics capacity.
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
  • Regional logistics strategy development
  • In collaboration with SCI centre logistics, support the development of operational structures at country level which can incorporate logistics supply planning into Country Strategic and Annual Plans and into proposal development, and which can deliver effectively and efficiently in both development and humanitarian contexts.
  • In collaboration with SCI centre logistics, support the development of the most cost efficient and effective procurement approach for the regions, including during emergencies.
  • Maintain an overview of SC logistics performance (supply planning, procurement, shipping, warehousing, fleet and asset management) across the regions and advise on improving overall performance
  • In collaboration with SCI centre and relevant members explore and develop opportunities for logistics corporate partnerships
  • Input into, and support, regional and SCI finance and HR initiatives and ensure that integration of logistics and finance systems across the region
  • Ensurelogistics services in Country Offices are as efficient and effective as possible
  • Provide technical support on logistical issues and advise / assist Country Offices on all logistics areas, providing actionable recommendations and following-up on their completion
  • Support country offices in developing and embedding Country Supply Chain Plans and Country Fleet Planning into their operations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their logistics.
  • Support countries in completing their Essential Standards self-assessments and in developing accountable actions to improve on any relevant areas.
  • Ensure Save the Children procedures and systems are correctly implemented (such as supply planning, procurement, warehousing, fleet and asset management)
  • As well as adhering to SC procedures, ensurecountry logistics are aware of and adhere to donor regulations where necessary
  • Building the capacity of Regional Logistics staff
  • As the regional logistics team grows over 2015 and 2016 recruit and capacity build these staff with a view to these staff taking more and more responsibilities over the coming years
  • Providing logistical support in emergencies and for high risk grants
  • Review all high risk project and procurement plans, and advise Country Offices and regional office accordingly
  • Support countries in build an operational platform which can support both ongoing programming and be sufficiently flexible to effectively scale up to support an emergency response, and subsequently effectively scale down after the emergency.
  • Work with SCI centre logistics to support the determination of logistical needs at the onset of an emergency
  • Support SCI centre and countries in managing emergency procurement and supply to efficiently deliver equipment and supplies to the affected areas
  • Strengthening the capacity of Country Offices
  • Training and developing operations and logistics staff in the Country Offices on supply planning at strategic and tactical levels, and on logistics procedures enabling staff to gain higher level of knowledge and expertise
  • Support capacity building and training initiatives run by SCI and SC members in the region, including in the sourcing of sufficient resources.
  • Maintaining and reviewing systems and procedures
  • Ensuring accurate and up to date records and reporting systems are maintained
  • Reviewing effectiveness of procedures and systems in order to make improvements
  • Supporting full spectrum programming
  • Role modelling and supporting the development of an organisational culture that reflects our values, our dual mandate and promotes accountability and high performance

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)
Accountability:
  • Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
  • Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved
Ambition:
  • Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
  • Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
  • Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale
Collaboration:
  • Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
  • Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
  • Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to
Creativity:
  • Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
  • Willing to take disciplined risks
Integrity:
  • Honest, encourages openness and transparency

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
  • 5 years or more experience in logistics management including 3 years managing humanitarian logistics in conflict or disaster affect countries
  • Extensive experience in supply chain management including procurement, transport, warehouse and stock management and distribution
  • Experience in setting up fleet management systems including planning, monitoring running costs, pooling, developing replacement strategies.
  • Experience in the set up communications networks and procedures including HF & VHF radio systems, and satellite phones
  • Knowledge or working with major institutional donors, and understanding to their rules and regulations.
  • Computer literate (including working knowledge of MS Word, Excel) and competency in development of spreadsheets and databases
  • Appropriate training experience in developing skills
  • Experience in planning and managing budgets and projects
  • Ability and willingness to change work practices and hours in the event of major emergencies
  • Proven ability to handle challenging work load
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Fluency in English (required) and an additional language required
  • Willingness to travel 50% of the time to attend Global meeting, carry out programme visits and assessments and assist as needed in emergency response
  • Commitment to Save the Children values

Date of issue: revised May 26 2015 Author : SB