Operations Support and Logistics (OSL) Officer at World Health Organization

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Preparedness and Response (EPR), at sub regional and hub level, the incumbent will oversee the provision of a well-rounded logistics and operations support services that enables WHO successfully implement a rapid, fully functional IMS throughout the full cycle of the incident. Supervise the transport, customs clearance, delivery, storage and management of material assets for the emergency preparedness, recovery and response activities; establishes functional offices, housing and storage facilities at both national and sub-national levels as required.

Description Of Duties

During deployment, the duty station may change, and duties may be modified, based on the technical needs of the Programme. Strategy & management actively participate in the overall management of the WHO emergency response by providing the incident manager with an OSL strategy to ensure the effective integration of logistics operations into WHO's and the health cluster's overall incident management system. Plan an end-to-end, timely, and efficient provision of quality and adequate equipment and consumables to support emergency response operations, aiming to reduce the consequences of crises on health systems and populations. Establish partnerships, operational synergies, and coordination of the logistics response, at national level, to ensure effective management of an outbreak and/or health emergency incident, ensuring close engagement with the national authorities and partners in both the Health and Logistics Cluster (or similar coordination structures). Lead and manage the OSL field incident management team, ensuring compliance of the services provided with the OSL procedures and the WHO/OSL Quality Standards.

Supply Chain Management

In compliance with the WHO rules and regulations, based on a comprehensive forecast of the supply needs and whenever possible with the support of the UN partners present (WFP and logistics cluster):

• Plan and oversee the effective transportation, delivery, and storage of national and international operational support and programme supplies, for WHO's incident management operations in the field.
• Liaise with responsible officials on the timely and efficient customs clearance, reception of international supplies, adapt existing or develop, and implement inventory/stock control management mechanisms; develop and apply monitoring tools, and reporting systems.
• Supervise the maintenance of the required stockpiles of essential incident management equipment, e.g., personal deployment material, radios, satellite telephones, IT equipment, etc.
• When required, support the national authorities inleading and coordinating the national distribution plan of essential items to the health facilities network.

Operation's Support

• In close collaboration with the WHO Administrative Officer, coordinate the establishment of the required field offices and telecommunication network capacity in compliance with WHO rules and procedures.
• Ensure adequate staff transportation means and organizational setup. In compliance with WHO standards, supervise the fleet management procedures including planning, maintenance, monitoring, and reporting.
• In close cooperation with the Field Security Officer, ensure that appropriate and safe living conditions are provided to the WHO deployed staff and responders.

Health Logistics

Manage a robust organizational model and adequate means to support WHO mobile/ambulatory health activities. Oversee that health facilities supported by the WHO are adequately set and equipped up to standard to sustain the medical activities conducted. Provide adequate support to the laboratories (supported by WHO) including an adequate supply of renewable items and safe transportation of samples when required. Ensure, for all health activities supported by the WHO, that water sanitation, and infection control required activities are in place and up to standards.

Security Support

• Cooperate with the Field Security Officer in ensuring the well-being, security, and safety of the WHO team members and responders providing the organization with the required means and setup to ensure applicability of the WHO site event risk reduction policy.
• Proactively participate in regular field assessments to monitor supply management, stock movements, and storage conditions.
• Conduct field visits to assess locations/buildings to be selected for the establishment of WHO field offices in compliance with MOSS rules and procedures.

Other:

• Perform any other related incident-specific duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Essential: Master's level university degree in public or business administration, logistics management or engineering from an accredited/recognized institute.
• Desirable: Professional certification/qualification in areas such as transport, distribution and supply chain management. Degree or training in information management systems and their application to logistic, transport or supply management and monitoring.

Experience

• Essential: At least seven years' related experience, at the national and international 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 agencies, health clusters partners, recognized humanitarian organizations or with an international nongovernmental organization.
• Experience or knowledge of import/export and customs administration

Skills

• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to coordinate activities and multitask.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to negotiate with and convince officials with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to write in a clear and concise manner, and to present factual information.
• Knowledge or understanding of WHO mandate and goals in the emergency incident management context.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences;
• Communication;
• Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond
• Driving the organization to a successful future

Use Of Language Skills

• Essential: Excellent knowledge of English
• Desirable: Knowledge of another UN official language would be an asset