Logistics and Supply Advisor

LOGISTICS & SUPPLY CELL ADVISOR

Position Overview

The Logistics & Supply Cell Advisor provides technical guidance and operational support to MSF Ubuntu programmes across logistics and supply chain functions. The position helps missions establish dependable, context-sensitive systems that enable humanitarian teams to operate safely, efficiently and with appropriate accountability.

Working as both an adviser and an operational partner, the role supports field teams and coordination structures with the implementation, review and improvement of logistics and supply practices. The Advisor helps ensure that operational approaches remain consistent with MSF standards while being practical and relevant to the environments in which Ubuntu programmes operate.

The position combines field accompaniment, technical support, quality assurance, systems development and staff capacity strengthening. It also requires close engagement with partner Operational Departments (ODs), technical specialists and MSF platforms to promote consistency, avoid duplication and make effective use of available expertise.

Where formally delegated, the Advisor may also represent MSF Ubuntu at country level within the programme location.

Key Areas of Responsibility

1. Field Support and Operational Accompaniment

• Provide practical technical assistance to missions across logistics and supply functions during programme start-up, transitions, emergencies, scale-ups and periods requiring additional operational capacity.

• Work with field teams to identify supply and logistics constraints, vulnerabilities, operational gaps and improvement priorities.

• Help missions implement solutions that are practical, sustainable and appropriate to the local operating environment.

• Provide timely advice on relevant logistics and supply processes, standards, systems, tools and operational practices.

• Support emergency preparedness, operational continuity and readiness for sudden changes in programme requirements or critical incidents.

• Help develop and maintain a flexible support approach for the Cell portfolio, combining field missions, remote assistance, emergency deployments, technical referrals and follow-up of systems.

• Assess and prioritise support requests across missions in consultation with the MedOp Cell Manager, Heads of Logistics and Supply, and other relevant stakeholders.

• Contribute to quarterly and annual planning for assessments, field support visits, technical reviews, emergency preparedness, capacity development and resource requirements.

• Identify when additional expertise is needed, including support related to WASH, supply, energy and ICT, security logistics, aviation specialists, regional resources, inter-OD expertise or external technical providers.

• Provide logistics and supply input during operational planning and budget discussions, including requirements involving fleets, premises, energy, WASH, emergency stocks, maintenance and major investments.

• Facilitate or provide technical guidance on aviation operations and air-safety matters where aircraft or other air assets are used, working with the appropriate MSF specialists and operational leadership.

2. Strategy and Operational Support Model

• Contribute to the design, review and implementation of Ubuntu logistics and supply strategies, priorities, policies, tools and support mechanisms.

• Ensure logistics and supply considerations are incorporated into medical and operational planning, including resource limitations, operational risks, capacities and potential opportunities.

• Help establish portfolio-wide priorities that reflect programme requirements, emergency preparedness, quality expectations and available resources.

• Promote logistics and supply functions as essential contributors to quality medical-humanitarian action, operational continuity, emergency responsiveness and accountability.

• Contribute operational perspectives to decisions concerning the future development of logistics and supply support within Ubuntu programmes.

3. Systems Development and Strengthening

• Support missions in establishing and maintaining logistics and supply systems that reflect both MSF standards and operational realities.

• Help adapt existing MSF frameworks, tools, templates and guidance so they can be effectively applied in different field contexts.

• Strengthen mission practices covering planning, procurement, stock management, fleet operations, facilities, maintenance, reporting, accountability, traceability and segregation of responsibilities.

• Identify weaknesses in systems, compliance gaps and operational risks and work with responsible teams to establish appropriate corrective measures.

• Participate in the development, review, adaptation and distribution of logistics and supply policies, tools, templates and learning resources.

• Gather feedback from missions regarding the practicality and effectiveness of existing tools and communicate recommendations for improvement to Ubuntu logistics and supply leadership.

• Promote harmonised approaches while allowing appropriate adjustments where operational circumstances require contextual adaptation.

4. Quality, Compliance and Risk Management

• Participate in logistics and supply assessments, operational reviews, audits and follow-up of agreed corrective-action plans.

• Monitor compliance with core requirements, including Log Basics, supply-chain principles, maintenance practices and applicable safety standards.

• Help missions strengthen documentation, reporting, traceability and operational monitoring systems.

• Encourage quality and compliance practices that are proportionate, practical and realistic for the operating environment.

• Support the identification and management of risks associated with logistics and supply activities.

• Assess whether technical and operational support provided to programmes is timely, relevant and effective.

• Ensure logistics and supply interventions contribute to safe, efficient, responsive and continuous delivery of medical-humanitarian activities.

5. Technical Coordination and Inter-OD Engagement

• Serve as a technical link between MSF Ubuntu and partner ODs on logistics and supply matters.

• Coordinate with technical advisers, logistics cells, specialist platforms and other relevant MSF structures to facilitate access to expertise, systems and support.

• Bring operational experience, field feedback and Ubuntu-specific realities into inter-OD technical discussions.

• Encourage consistency between Ubuntu practices and wider MSF logistics and supply frameworks.

• Participate in technical working groups, collaborative projects and operational learning forums when assigned.

• Identify opportunities for shared tools, interoperable systems, joint technical approaches, regional assistance and other forms of operational collaboration.

• Connect Ubuntu missions with regional and inter-OD resources where appropriate, ensuring available support is complementary rather than duplicated.

6. Capacity Development and People Support

• Work with line managers, HR and relevant departments to identify skills and development requirements among logistics and supply personnel.

• Provide coaching, mentoring, onboarding, briefings, debriefings and practical guidance to field logisticians, supply staff, LogCos, SupplyCos and WASH specialists.

• Support the development of national staff capabilities and strengthen their readiness for greater operational responsibility, coordination functions and emergency deployments.

• Encourage peer-to-peer learning, practical coaching, constructive feedback and the exchange of effective field practices.

• Contribute to learning resources, operational guidance, job-profile reviews, staffing structures and clarification of team responsibilities in collaboration with HR and functional leadership.

• Support identification and follow-up of suitable logistics and supply personnel for emergency response, programme support and gap-filling assignments.

• Directly supervise, coach and develop assigned staff in accordance with MSF Ubuntu management practices, HR policies and organisational values.

• Promote a respectful, inclusive and safe working environment, incorporating safeguarding, duty of care, equity and diversity into management practices.

• Set clear objectives, priorities, workplans and performance expectations for direct reports while considering programme priorities and available resources.

7. Information Management and Continuous Improvement

• Support the development and distribution of straightforward, practical logistics and supply tools, reporting formats and templates.

• Contribute to operational information systems and reporting processes that provide useful information for management decisions.

• Capture field lessons, innovative approaches and practical solutions and make them available for organisational learning.

• Identify opportunities to simplify processes, reduce inefficiencies, introduce useful innovations and strengthen integration between logistics and supply activities.

• Help establish and monitor relevant performance indicators across the portfolio to identify emerging risks, bottlenecks, weaknesses and support requirements.

• Promote the practical use of dashboards, reporting systems, supply monitoring tools and operational indicators.

• Review mission data relating to areas such as stock availability, procurement lead times, order follow-up, fleet utilisation, maintenance, energy, WASH and reporting compliance.

• Facilitate access to mapping, GIS and spatial-analysis capabilities where these can support access planning, emergency assessments, WASH activities, movement planning or operational decision-making.

8. Country Representation

• When specifically delegated, represent MSF Ubuntu at country level and maintain an appropriate institutional presence within the assigned programme country.

• Support effective communication between Ubuntu, partner ODs and country coordination structures in accordance with agreed governance and collaboration arrangements.

• Maintain constructive working relationships with authorities, partners and other external stakeholders within the limits of the delegated mandate.

• Ensure Ubuntu's operational priorities, approaches and institutional positioning are appropriately communicated within the country context.

• Support effective information exchange between country-level operations and Ubuntu leadership.

• Contribute to a coordinated working environment among programme teams, partners and other entities operating in the same context.

9. Ethics, Safeguarding and Accountability

• Uphold MSF principles, medical ethics and respect for patient rights in all areas of responsibility.

• Identify operational risks and support appropriate measures to reduce or manage them.

• Promote accountability towards patients and communities affected by MSF activities.

• Support safeguarding processes and responsible ethical decision-making.

• Work with the Safeguarding Unit to incorporate safe programming, prevention of harm, responsible conduct and accountability into Ubuntu operations.

• Help ensure that operational decisions, staff behaviour and engagement with communities protect the dignity, safety and trust of the people served by MSF.

Reporting and Organisational Relationships

The Logistics & Supply Cell Advisor forms part of the MSF Ubuntu Logistics & Supply Department.

The position reports hierarchically to the MedOp Cell Manager and maintains functional and technical accountability to the Head of Logistics and Head of Supply.

The Advisor works closely with mission coordination teams, technical personnel, partner ODs, specialist advisers and relevant MSF platforms. The role is intended to provide practical field accompaniment, technical assistance, systems strengthening, quality follow-up and capacity development across Ubuntu's logistics and supply operations.

Qualifications and Professional Background

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Operations Management, Humanitarian Affairs or a related discipline.

• Professional fluency in written and spoken English is required. French language capability is a strong advantage.

• Sound understanding of humanitarian logistics and supply-chain principles.

• At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian logistics, supply chain management or closely related functions.

• Significant field experience working in complex, insecure or otherwise challenging operational environments.

• Previous experience in logistics coordination, supply coordination, technical advisory roles or operational support functions.

• Experience supporting several projects, missions or regional operations is desirable.

• Demonstrated ability to provide operational support, resolve complex problems, implement logistics and supply systems, assist emergency responses, strengthen staff capacity and work across functional teams.

• Previous MSF experience is strongly preferred.

• Experience working within matrix structures or organisations where teams and functions are interdependent is an advantage.

Core Capabilities

Technical and Systems Expertise

• Strong practical knowledge across logistics and supply-chain functions.

• Familiarity with MSF systems, standards and the realities of field operations.

• Strong systems-thinking, analytical and operational problem-solving abilities.

• Ability to adjust processes, tools and standards to different field environments without compromising essential requirements.

• Strong focus on quality, safety, accountability and compliance.

• Experience supporting logistics and supply operations during emergencies, programme transitions or complex deployments.

Collaboration and Coordination

• Excellent stakeholder-management, coordination and communication abilities.

• Comfortable working across departments, missions, coordination teams, technical specialists, partner ODs and regional structures.

• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.

• Ability to facilitate constructive technical discussions between teams with different perspectives and operational responsibilities.

• Diplomatic, practical and service-oriented approach to collaboration and representation.

• Strong ability to build trust and maintain productive working relationships in demanding environments.

Capacity Strengthening and Localisation

• Demonstrated coaching and mentoring capability.

• Commitment to developing national staff and strengthening local operational ownership.

• Ability to contribute to staffing models and operational approaches that reflect local context.

• Experience facilitating practical learning and sharing knowledge between teams.

• Understanding of localisation principles and approaches to locally led systems strengthening.

General and Behavioural Competencies

• Strong alignment with MSF values and Ubuntu principles.

• Service-focused approach with a clear understanding of operational support requirements.

• Adaptability and flexibility in changing environments.

• Initiative, sound judgement and proactive problem-solving.

• Effective planning and organisational skills.

• Collaborative and team-oriented working style.

• Commitment to quality and measurable results.

• Ability to work independently while operating within defined accountability structures.

• Pragmatic approach focused on workable and sustainable solutions.

• Ability to remain effective when working under pressure or in unstable and rapidly changing environments.

Application

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