The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.
The IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
The IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.
The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.
The IFRC’s Supply Chain Department is in Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services Division and has a core function of supporting the IFRC humanitarian action. The Department has a global network including:
- A headquarters-based Supply Chain Management Department in Geneva
- A Logistics Hub and Global Fleet office in Dubai
- A procurement global service centre based in Budapest
- Four regional operational supply chain units located in Panama, Kuala Lumpur, Nairobi and Beirut country-based logistics set-up
- Supply Chain Management is a function dedicated to:
- Provide the goods and services as needed by the federation to deliver to the most vulnerable;
- Provide services to deliver visible value to the members, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the supply chain and strengthening its control;
- Develop the supply chain capacity of the National Societies
- Developing talents and future leaders.
The position is based in the IFRC Regional Office in Panama. This position will be reporting to the Deputy Regional Director.
Job purpose
Under the guidance of the Regional Deputy Director, the Head of Supply Chain Hub is responsible for developing, leading and ensuring effective operational implementation of Supply Chain Hub. The incumbent will optimise service quality and cost-effectiveness to meet the needs of the Federation, partners, and service users. The incumbent will focus on the right quality and cost-effective service delivery (procurement, fleet, warehousing, and training) to service users including the Red Cross/Red Crescent network and other humanitarian organisations. This role carries accountability for ensuring compliance with the overall Supply Chain standards. The Supply Chain Hub in Panama also includes the Humanitarian Hub based in Howard, Panama. The HoSCM will also be tasked to lead, design and implement the Humanitarian Hub strategy for the Americas.
Job duties and responsibilities
Key areas of influence and key internal/external relationships include:
- Development of Supply Chain Hub medium terms goals, objectives and annual plans requiring the agreement of the Director of Supply Chain Management and collaboration with supply chain teams and other IFRC departments including PSK
- Partner and service users’ relationship building to ensure the development of an operationally and commercially effective logistics network
- Provision of operational advice to National Societies to build supply chain capabilities and capacities, including fleet
- Ensure good relationship with the different Humanitarian stakeholders for strengthened the overall supply chain
- Ensure good relationship with local officials
- Full accountability and high autonomy in managing resources (People and budgets) including planning and managing operational procurement budget of over 100 MCH order to deliver the agreed activities in line with the Federation’s policies and procedures.
- Manage, motivate, develop and retain a team of a team of world class Supply Chain professionals including procurement and logistics to push highest levels of performance and capability
- Drive the development of talents providing guidance on development and career paths
Key Accountabilities
Service Delivery
- Be accountable to ensure the availability of all goods and services such as Cash (right quality, right price, right time) in close coordination with the global operational supply chain team, global procurement team and where applicable with global fleet
- Assume full accountability for delivering best value for money for the Hub
- Ensure KPIs for the operational logistics, procurement and supply chain function within the function are captured and reported to the senior management team on an ongoing basis
- Define and monitor the efficiency, effectiveness and success of supply chain activities using adequate controlling tools
- Support all IFRC emergency and program operations with direct and technical logistics support as required.
Leadership and Networking
Manage internal relationship building to ensure cross-functional co-operation and integration which minimises risk and results in high quality technical solutions with supply chain practices. This includes leading in relationship building for Humanitarian Hub partners and potential clients.
Provide leadership of Supply Chain in-line with Supply Chain Management strategy and goals through the development of Supply Chain strategy, annual and long-term plans, the delivery of measurable objectives and the development/implementation of a plan for the necessary internal communications.
Develop, motivate and set performance annual and longer-term objectives for supply chain staff fully aligned with the short, medium and longer-term objectives, goals and targets set for the Hub.
Build and leverage collaborative partnerships with relevant external organizations which directly enable the Supply Chain Hub to deliver a high value logistics service that improves the lives of the most vulnerable in line with defined operational and commercial targets and the overall supply Chain Strategy and broader IFRC strategies.
Identify gaps in the skills and competencies of regional operational supply chain team members and establish and implement personal development plans.
· Compliance and Supply Chain Improvement
- Support the Improvement of Supply chain systems to enhance efficiency, compliance and processes
- Ensure that all IFRC Supply Chain services are compliant with Supply Chain policies and procedures (including procurement, logistics and fleet) and provide recommendation of best practice to enable consistent best value for money and operational service delivery.
- Ensure that the supply chain Hub delivers a supply chain service that understands and meets the needs of the Federation, partners and services users, balancing service quality against best value for money. To continually evaluate and optimize the range and volume of materials held within warehouse where appliable to ensure the ability to meet on-going and unexpected relief requirements whilst minimizing inventory costs.
- Provide expert support to National Societies and IFRC to enhance and optimize operational supply chain services. Support the National Societies in building business case on supply chain services, including fleet.
- Facilitate implementation of Global/Regional Frame Agreement, Identify and remove potential barriers in implementing GFA/RFA, as to ensure GFA/RFA are implemented
- Proactively evaluate and optimise the range and volume of materials held within the region and other warehousing to ensure the ability to meet on-going and unexpected relief requirements whilst minimizing inventory costs
- Where applicable, drive Road Safety in coordination with Global Road Safety Workgroup
- Where applicable, manage other support functions (i.e. in Dubai Office)
Key Stakeholders
Internally:
- Director of Logistics, Procurement and Supply Chain Management
- Global Operational Supply Chain Coordination and Supply Chain Compliance
- Program and Operation, General Management, PMER
- Policy, Strategy and Knowledge Unit, PSK
Externally:
- Humanitarian agencies, Government, Universities.
Duties applicable to all staff:
- Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals.
- Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.
- Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manage.**
Education:
- University degree in Business, economics, Engineering, or other relevant experience in the area - Required.
- Degree and/or post graduate qualification in logistics strategy and management - Preferred.
Experience
Required:
At least 10 years of relevant experience in managing complex international logistics operations.
A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in field operations.
Experience in managing resources (people and budget) in large-scale operations.
Experience in managing and integrating complex global supply chain services.
Experience in setting up the complex supply chain and logistics infrastructures.
Experience in annual planning and strategy implementation in a global organization.
Experience in managing a small Profit & Loss.
Red Cross/Red Crescent knowledge and experience.
In-depth knowledge of complex supply chain management.
Drive for change and improvement and ability to deliver strategies in a challenging environment.
Commercial acumen.
Strong budget and financial management skills.
Ability to work in a cross-cultural and cross-functional environment.
Strong interpersonal skills and a good understanding of the global organization.
Ability to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple tasks.
Excellent negotiation and diplomacy skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to provide authoritative advice.
Proven experience to carry out logistics assessments and set up large operations.
Ability to work toward tight deadlines and handle multiple tasks.
Experience within the commercial sector including the development of effective customer commercial and operational targets and relationships at the global level - Preferred.
Languages:
- Fluently spoken and written English - Required.
- Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic) - Required.
Competencies:
- Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.
- Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and Teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National. society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust.
- Functional competencies: Strategic orientation; Building alliances; Leadership; Empowering others.
- Managerial competencies: Managing staff performance, Managing staff development.
Additional requirements:
For operational reasons, this position may be classified as rotatable across regions and/or to headquarters in Geneva. The number of years spent in the same duty station will be limited and could range from 2 – 4 years with a maximum of 5 years in exceptional circumstances. This role will also have to undertake short-term missions to large-scale humanitarian operations.
How to apply:
Interested Candidates, Please apply on this link: https://www.ifrc.org/en/who-we-are/working-with-us/current-vacancies/job-description/?id=76415
- Administrative Comments:
Applicants will need to send their applications together with a letter of motivation no later than the closing date. In order for us to assure a proper comparative evaluation of your application for this vacancy and to enable us to consider your profile against other similar current and future vacancies, we ask that you submit your application taking into account the following:
Important Note:
- Please note that the selected candidate will be hired through an International
contract; - The incumbent is responsible to abide by Federation policies, procedures, plans,
and applicable international labor law; - Only those candidates shortlisted for interviews will be notified.