Head of Logistic Department

The logistics department plays a key role in providing technical and logistical support and in supplying drugs, medical material and non-medical material to the field projects. The department consists of the Procurement Unit and the Field Support Unit (FSU). In the coming years the main challenges for the department are:

Further medicalisation: Enhance effectiveness of (logistic) services to support operational ambitions

Increase responsiveness: Reduce lead-times for the main current operational scenarios, increase overall lead-time reliability and provide effective direct support to emergency interventions

Increase accountability: Increased consistency, control and transparency of supply chain and other project support activities (fleet, communications, shelter etc.)

Improve cost control: Prevention of wastage and improved efficiency of project support

Increase intersectional co-operation: Create effective communication and collaboration for shared operationality with partner sections.

Work with other MSF Operational Centres and Supply Centres on improving the supply chain through concrete collaboration and coordination

As per May 2006 Artsen zonder Grenzen has a vacancy for a

HEAD OF THE LOGISTICS DEPARTMENT (100%)

The head of the logistics department reports to the Board of Directors and is accountable for the efficiency, transparency and quality of the logistic policies and work processes of the department. In this capacity he line-manages the coordinator of the Procurement unit and the team leaders of the Field Support units Front office and Back office. His/her main responsibilities are:

- Promoting the formulation of the overall logistic capacity and strategy; - Leading the department and its staff; responsible for the integral human resources management in the department; translating policy into tasks, procedures and specific agreements for the units and it’s employees; - Maintaining an ethical framework for procurement and logistics activities further to the MSF Charter and general operating principles; - Developing strategic, tactical and operational collaboration with logistics and supply functions in other (operational) MSF sections as with non-logistic MSF International coordinating bodies (Access Campaign, pharmacists, medical directors) with a view to enhancing decisiveness, quality, efficiency and independence of the procurement and logistic operations; - End responsibility for logistic and procurement policies and standard procedures at HQ and in field projects; - End responsibility for the policy and implementation of standardisation and management of technical (non medical) equipment, transport, communication, cold chain, IT, shelter etc; - End responsibility for the quality of the logistic and technical support and advise to the field projects; - Joint responsibility (with the Head of ICT & Finance) for the integrity of MSF-H administrative (& system) administration at headquarters and in field projects; - Contributing to resorting strategies by maintaining functional networks with academia, peer organisations and business; - End responsibility for the quality and management of medical and non-medical stocks (assigned and non assigned to projects) including the proper administration and timely delivery of information on behalf of the production of the annual account following the instructions of the Controller; - Contributing to the development of functional (management) structures and systems for sharing of operations management across the Operational Centre Amsterdam (Berlin, London, Toronto); - Responsible for the set-up and integration of the monitoring cycle of the departmental annual plans within the process of the organizational annual plan process.

Profile

- We are looking for a candidate with a thinking and working level up to academic standards and a strong strategic sense of the MSF mission and its logistics challenges.

- Postgraduate academic qualifications in logistics or business management are highly appreciated.

- S/he has knowledge of and considerable operational experience with logistics and supply management in emergency aid in complex settings with MSF (or a comparable organisation).

- The candidate must be able to demonstrate strong proven skills in management and leadership and will have at least five years experience in a relevant management position.

- This is a fast paced working environment where persuasiveness, a result-oriented focus and initiative and an innovative approach is required.

- Good communication skills are essential as well as an excellent command of the English language, both written and spoken. Active knowledge of Dutch or French is an asset.

- At the international level, the head of the department will liaise with counterparts throughout the Médecins Sans Frontières network on logistic themes. For this purpose he/she is available to do international trips and field visits. S/he should also be willing to live and work in Amsterdam and must have a commitment of at least three years.

We offer

- A fulltime position in a challenging international environment. - A contract for three years (subject to agreement of the Director after the first year) with a renewal option of two years based on a fulltime appointment) - A salary in grade 8 with a gross monthly salary between ? and ? depending upon relevant professional experience and based upon a 40-hour working week. - Other benefits include 30 holidays, childcare regulation and a premium free pension.

More information: For more information about this position, please contact Martijn Blansjaar, Head of the Logistics department on phone ++31-20-5208743;

Application: If you are interested in this position and believe that you meet the requirements of the profile, please submit your letter of application and curriculum vitae in English to:

Artsen zonder Grenzen attn: Vicky Loeber HRM Advisor PO Box 10014 1001 EA Amsterdam, the Netherlands

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