LOGISTICS OFFICER – HIGHLANDS RESILIENCE ACTIVITY

Job Description

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse, and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps has been present in Ethiopia since 2004 working to drive bold and transformative ideas, working closely with government, the private sector and civil society actors to build a more resilient country, ensuring that programs are responsive to and influenced by participants and stakeholders. Our vision is to enhance the resilience of climate and conflict-affected communities through market systems development for improved livelihoods, access to food, and safe and clean water to thrive in the face of crises. Our strategy focuses on the four outcome areas of: 1) Economically marginalized populations have improved and diversified livelihoods, income, and assets; 2) Pastoralists, farmers, and households have access to sustainably produced, safe, nutritious food; 3) Social cohesion and inclusive governance processes are built in crisis-affected communities; and 4) People have equitable, sustained access to clean water and sanitation for domestic and productive use. Currently we operate in the regional states of Afar, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Sidama, Southern Ethiopia, Tigray and Addis Ababa city administration working with a diverse base of donors that includes United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Union, GAC, Hilton Foundation, United Nations (UN), JOA, Sweden, EKN, and other foundations.

The USAID-funded Highland Resilience Activity (HRA) will contribute to the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) 5’s “Big Push” initiative and has the overarching goal of strengthening resilience among vulnerable households in Ethiopia’s Highlands, resulting in 120,000 PSNP households reaching the graduation threshold. HRA will support these households in moving above the graduation threshold and to where they no longer require social safety net programming for household food security and have the capabilities and assets to withstand regular and predictable shocks. The Activity will achieve this goal by directly supporting households in increasing their on-farm, off-farm, and employment incomes while facilitating improvements in the market systems required to increase demand for goods and services in PSNP communities. HRA is a five-year program that started during October 2023.

General Position Summary

In order to have a smooth implementation of the programmer operational plan, the Logistics Officer plays a key role in the Area Team in ensuring compliance towards Procurement, Logistics, Safety, and Security, and Administration Area.

Working in the Operations Function, under the direction of the field office focal Manager, the Logistics  Officer is responsible for the day-to-day routine tasks of the operations department as well as monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting. She/he is expected to produce reliable, accurate, and timely PALM reports for all stakeholders involved. The post holder should be forward-looking, self-driven, operating under minimum supervision, and a critical thinker in the Area Office senior management role.  Furthermore, considering the various expected systemic changes in the future, the post holder should be forward-looking, change-oriented, and able to develop/train the team in the changing environment.

This job requires travel to the project sites directly managed by Mercy Corps as well as by sub-grantees. The main objectives of the travel are compliance and monitoring (internal audit nature) of donor rules as well as MC’s internal policies and procedures. Where necessary the objective of the visit could also be capacity assessment or capacity building.

Essential Job Responsibilities

1. Procurement and Logistics Management (60% of Time)
2. Administration and Security and Security (40% of Time)

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Procurement and Logistics  Management [60% of Time]

• Ensure that all procurement processes are handled effectively per Mercy Corps’ internal procedures as well as in line with the donor’s rules and regulations. Beyond the fairness of the price, ensure the quality of items to be procured is meeting the expected standard and the specifications are as requested by the program technical staff or budget holder.
• Ensure that all vehicle log management is handled effectively, and all the necessary processes and procedures are completed per Mercy Corps’ internal policies and procedures as well as according to the donor rules and regulations.
• Provide timely and accurate vehicle log reports and ensure the mechanisms by which drivers are accountable for the vehicle which they are given the responsibility to drive carefully and maintain the vehicle condition in good standard.
• Produce monthly vehicle utilization/performance report and submit this to the logistics Manager ccing the AM/HOO.
• Produce all vehicle accident report with the required details and submit this timely. Follow up all insurance related matters as soon as accidents happen.
• Coordinate/Consolidate the monthly/quarterly procurement plan and submit this to the Program Coordinator copying the Operations Manager based in Addis;
• Follow up all the logistics monthly and quarterly diary and provide the necessary report/information on time.
• Ensure that the commitment tracking sheet for the Area Office is filled appropriately and coordinate the information with the Area Finance Officer before it is submitted to the Regional Finance Coordinator
• Ensure that all store or warehouse management works are done to the required standard. Ensure that Bin Card/Stock Card is regularly up to date and the physical count of the items matches the records in the card.
• Provide monthly logistics performance report per the guidance from the Operations Manager and the ROCO and discuss any material issues in the monthly operations/admin/finance meeting;
• Ensure that for all distributed materials, we have the copies of delivery note and the materials have reached the beneficiaries. Keep a good standard filing system for distribution list and provide the information as and when requested by internal management or auditors.
• Ensure the fixed asset registration is kept to a standard required and provide quarterly updates to the Asset controller in the central office of the Operations manager. Ensure that the records kept indicate by which donor source each asset has been purchased.
• Provide support to the program technical team in coordinating fleet management. Discuss the needs and the plan in the weekly mini-operational meeting led by the Program Coordinator.
• Ensure all leased or rented vehicle information is kept to an adequate standard, the selection processes of service providers are fair, and the documentation produced is good enough to be attached to the financial invoices. Follow MC’s internal policies and procedures applicable to the procurement of goods and services.
• Provide support on all logistical arrangements for visitors.
• Ensure that all supplies required to run the project operation as well as the office is adequately handled.

2. Administration and security (40% of Time)

• Together with the Program Coordinator, ensure the safety standard of staff in the premises we are working in.
• Together with the Program Coordinator, ensure the safety of staff during travel to the project sites.
• Ensure that all the copies of all regional state agreements are kept in the office file.
• Ensure we are keeping all copies of lease agreements for office, warehouse in a proper file and follow the end date and renewal.
• Perform various administrative duties per MC’s internal policies and procedures.
• Ensure all local admin or legal issues are handled in a smooth way and do regular communication with the HR and Legal Director based in Addis.

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

•  Identify, build, and manage collaborative partnerships with local governments and other Mercy Corps stakeholders.
•  Communicate effectively with all stakeholders.

Supervisory Responsibility

Driver, cleaners, and security Guards

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Field Program Manager

Works Directly With: field office team members

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics or Business administration.
• Excellent analytical skills, Good interpersonal and communication skills, Good organizational skills, and Willingness and ability to adapt to changing work requirements and priorities that may require overtime or extended hours.
• Relevant qualification in the field of admin and logistics
• minimum of 4years relevant experience
• Excellent oral and written English skills.
• Strong computer skills in MS Excel, and MS Word programs.
• A demonstrated ability to multi-task and process information into action so as to not delay program activities.

Success Factors:

• Must be confident, a self-starter, an independent thinker, and have strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, team-oriented.
• Good computer skills (especially Microsoft Excel, Word Processing, and Outlook)
• Ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel is required; demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse groups of people.
• High professional standard of administration ethics as well as willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities is necessary.
• Excellent communication skills, written and oral, are required.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and appropriate flexibility.
• Emotional maturity and physical stamina.
• Demonstrated experience in managing Matrix Reporting is needed.
• Willing to travel to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia and it requires travel to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

HOW TO APPLY

All qualified individuals are invited to apply for the advertised position. All applications, including a CV, three references, and all applicable official papers, must be sent electronically.

Applicants Must fill out their Information through the: LINK.

Only candidates that are short-listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews.

“Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and diversity. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empower women and youth.”

DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS:  26 November 2023/ 4:00 PM