DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

17 September 2024-23:59-GMT-05:00 Eastern Standard Time (Panama)

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP’s values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.

WHY JOIN WFP?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

These jobs are found in Headquarters (HQ), Regional Bureaux (RB) and Country Offices (CO and Area/Field Offices. Job holders report to a Logistics Officer, Head of Unit or the designate. At this level, job holders demonstrate responsibility and initiative to respond independently to queries with only general guidance for all assistance modalities for both WFP and logistics common services. There is a requirement to use judgment in dealing with unforeseen problems on a daily basis. Job holders typically manage a small team, supervising and coaching staff.

This position is based in Panama Pacifico, Panama and reports to the Logistics Officer.

THE ROLE: To provide specialized support functions and/or supervise staff performing standard logistics/supply chain processes and activities to enable effective delivery of goods and services for all delivery modalities

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, nor exhaustive):

1. Provide specialized support to logistics operations and activities, following standard processes and contributing, directly or indirectly, to the effective delivery of food assistance to beneficiaries.

2. Coordinate requisitioning and ensure timely delivery of commodities and supplies to authorised partners and destinations.

3. Manage logistics vendors’ contracting activities including performance monitoring and measurement.

4. Support gathering market intelligence, vendor assessments (e.g. transporters, retailers) to support vendor selection process.

5. Identify, resolve and/or provide recommendations on specialised queries/requests for support, using initiative and following standard processes, to ensure timely and accurate resolution of enquiries with excellent client service mind-set.

6. Prepare, monitor and revise budget for all delivery modalities, ensuring adherence to relevant procedures and in compliance with corporate standards.

7. Monitor inventory management processes to track trends and account for the inventory status from source to beneficiary.

8. Support oversight for commodity accounting data quality and integrity.

9. Analyse operational pipeline and contribute to assessments and operational planning for all delivery modalities, to ensure that supply chain requirements are taken into consideration.

10. Manage documentation processing for execution of logistics operations (e.g. customs clearance, invoice verification), take appropriate actions to resolve operational issues escalating complex issues to the supervisor.

11. Perform research, collect data and conduct analysis, produce reports (e.g. CCTI, SPRs, financial closure, physical inventory, transport performance) and ensure information accuracy in corporate systems to enable informed decision-making.

12. Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to support logistics operations management and contribute to effective service delivery.

13. Supervise the work of support staff, providing practical advice and guidance, to ensure individual and team objectives are delivered to agreed standards and deadlines for all assistance modalities.

14. Support logistics emergency preparedness and response activities including Logistics Capacity Assessment and Contingency Plan update, to support WFP’s response in emergencies.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: Completion of secondary school education. A post-secondary certificate in the related functional area is desirable ( Logistics, supply chain management).

Experience: Six or more years of progressively responsible work experience in the relative business stream with experience in general administrative work ( logistics, supply chain management, warehouse management).

Knowledge and Skills:

• Experience maintaining corporate systems and running queries on ongoing shipments, pipeline information, insurance claims, and food stock.
• Experience in administering third party service providers’ contracts.
• Experience in compiling contract documentation.
• Experience in contract execution.
• Experience in budget monitoring and reporting.

Language: General Service (Headquarters): Fluency (level C) in English language. Fluency (level C) or intermediate knowledge (level B) of another official language may be required depending on the location of the post or area of responsibility.

General Service (Field): Fluency in both oral and written communication in the UN language in use at the duty station and in the duty station’s language, if different.

Additional Responsibilities and Experience:

1. Coordinate requests throughout the supply chain process and ensure timely delivery of commodities and supplies to authorized partners and destinations. Maintain effective communication with relevant stakeholders to ensure smooth and efficient operations. Proactively identify, resolve, and/or provide recommendations on specialized queries/requests with a client-focused mindset.

2. Provide specialized support to logistics operations and activities, ensuring the effective predisposition and delivery of emergency items to meet the customer’s requirements. Contribute to the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance and logistics support in the UNHRD Hub.

3. Support with predictive analyses to anticipate requests of the different partners based on the evolving humanitarian needs. Ensure UNHRD has sufficient predisposed emergency kits/items to meet anticipated customers’ request.

4. Monitor inventory management processes and track trends to ensure accurate stock records. Coordinate the maintenance of records and databases.

5. Work closely with the other hub team members to ensure customers’ request and expected timelines can be met. Collaborate with warehouse staff to optimize effective operational planning, storage and handling processes.

6. Ensure coordination and alignment with the Hub teams, manage key accounts, and maintain customer satisfaction, ensuring accurate and timely information sharing.

7. Excellent in analytical skills, can identify and define problems, extract crucial information from data & provide comprehensive recommendations and/or develop workable solutions to problems in complex situations.

8. Identify evolving client needs, recommending changes for process improvement in customer service. Continuously seek opportunities and actively contribute to efforts to enhance customer service procedures and tools through increased digitalization.

9. Proficiency in logistics software, SAP, excel, words and power point

10. Strong organizational skills, and excellent customer service skills.

11. Fluency in English and local language is required. Knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

12. Accurate, attentive to detail and thorough in managing logistics and customer service information to deliver as one of common goals.

13. Stays focused and calm when under pressure and continue to deliver quality work

14. Focused on meeting the needs of clients and providing high-quality services. Uses initiative and sound judgment to address and resolve issues.

15. Collaborates effectively and respectfully with colleagues of the same and different units from diverse background/nationality/ages and belief to achieve organizational goals.

Terms and Conditions:
Number of openings: 1
Based in: Panama Pacífico, Panama
Type of Contract: Fixed Term
Level: 6
Duration: 12 months.

This position is open to people who hold a permanent work visa or is a Panamanian citizen.
You can consult the UN Salary Scale for Panama page for your reference.
Fixed-Term appointments are for a continuous period of one year or more and shall have a specified expiration date. The initial appointment is subject to a probationary period of one year.
Successful candidates will be placed in a roster for two (2) years.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our recruitment process is inclusively crafted to welcome candidates of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and ensuring a respectful environment for all. We aim for an accessible and fair recruitment journey. Should you need any reasonable accommodations or have accessibility concerns, please reach out to us confidentially at global.inclusion@wfp.org. Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
• Please contact us at wfprecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.