JOB ADVERTISEMENT : Supply and Logistics Specialist - National UN Volunteer Specialist

Competitive recruitment

Advertisement end date:22/07/2025

General
Description of assignment title
Supply and Logistics Specialist

Assignment country
Cameroon

Expected start date
01/08/2025

Sustainable Development Goal
17. Partnerships for the goals

Volunteer category
National UN Volunteer Specialist

Host entity
UNHCR

Type
Onsite

Duration
5 months
(with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments
1

Duty stations
Maroua

Details
Mission and objectives
The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).


Context
The Far North of Cameroon faces nearly every operational scenario confronted by UNHCR: IDP displacements (conflict and natural disasters), refugees (prima facie and individual status determination), returnees (both refugee and IDP), solutions (resettlement, integration, and voluntary repatriation), nexus (humanitarian-development-peace building), care and maintenance, emergencies, camp and non-camp populations.

Violence by the Islamic Sect, Boko Haram, led to an influx of about 130,000 Nigerian refugees into the Far North region of Cameroon. Approximately 75,000 live in the Minawao Refugee Camp, the largest in West Africa, and fully supported by humanitarian assistance, with the others living in villages scattered along the Nigerian border and throughout northern Cameroon. Refuges continue to arrive at Minawao, either from Nigeria or coming from Cameroonian villages due to continued insecurity and lack of access to means of subsistence, with some 10,000 newly arrived in 2023.

This situation has also led to the internal displacement of the local population living along the border, to other localities. There are some 380,000 IDPs in the Far North, mostly living with host families.

Intercommunal violence in 2021 displaced approximately 35,000 people within Cameroon and another estimated 40,000 were displaced across the border to Chad. A good number of those Cameroonians who were displaced have already returned to their places of origin. It is important to note that the registration/enrolment of the returnee population is essential to provide cash and other forms of reintegration assistance in an on-goring return program with Chad.

The incumbent is responsible for all logistic and supply issues in the Far North of Cameroon, a region with a complex and delicate and operational context. Working under the supervision of the Head of the Office, and with functional support from the Supply Officer in the MCO, s/he is responsible for coordinating and organizing all logistics issues for the region.



Task description
Under the direct supervision of the Head of the UNHCR Maroua Sub-Delegation in Cameroon, the UN Volunteer Specialist will perform the following tasks:

- In accordance with supply chain rules and procedures, draft the office's annual procurement plan and support related procurement activities to facilitate UNHCR's end-to-end processes resulting in timely and quality delivery of goods and services to people of concern.
- Assist in maintaining accurate and complete records of procurement activities and provide reports and updates periodically and as requested
- Participate in the preparation of purchase requisitions. Prepare requests for quotations and invitations to tender, produce quotation tables from invitations to tender and prepare purchase orders for approval in accordance with instructions from senior procurement staff or other line managers. Draft contracts resulting from calls for tenders.
- Develop the shipment tracking system for purchasing and suggest the best purchasing solutions and methods for improved efficiency in terms of quality, cost/value and delivery time.
- Produce standard asset management reports and other asset information, periodically and on request
- Assist in warehouse management, support deliveries of goods and services, and provide information to customers.
- Provide logistical support to field teams, including procurement and distribution.
- Identify and evaluate suppliers based on their ability to provide products and services. Maintain key supplier and item databases.
- Facilitate the exchange of relevant information on logistics activities between UNHCR and its partners, ensuring transparency and ongoing coordination.
- Regularly assess partners' operational capacity in terms of logistics, identifying areas where reinforcement may be required
- Ensure proper documentation of logistics operations, including status reports and inventories
- Participate in the planning of fuel needs according to field operations and logistical requirements
- Work in collaboration with the UNHCR Logistics Partner in the area on fleet maintenance.
- With the support of the Fleet Manager, monitor fleet maintenance and the purchase of spare parts required for maintenance work.
- Carry out any other related tasks assigned by line manager(s).

Results/Outputs

Strengthened procurement related service delivery collaborators, ensuring empowered environment for effective and efficient implementation of Procurement components and existing team scaled up to be able to deliver higher volume. • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment; • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in, and capacities developed.

Eligibility criteria
Age
18 - 80

Required experience
3 years

Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
3 years

Languages
French, Level: Native language, Required
English, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management and procurement

Competencies and values
• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNHCR in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority.
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary.
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Skills and experience
• 03 years of experience in Supply Chain Management and procurement of supply of goods in either the private or public sector
• Word processing, spreadsheet, PowerPoint and other computer applications knowledge required
• Solid UNHCR experience in Supply Chain Rules and Procedures
• Solid understanding and/or experience managing big and complex logistics operations
• Excellent communication, coordination and people skills
• Experience of managing people in a multinational/multicultural environment
• Demonstrated ability to manage a team and coordinate with other functions, Field/ sub- Offices

Area(s) of expertise
Logistics and Inventory, Procurement and contracting

Driving license
-

Other information
HOW TO APPLY :
All applications must be submitted ONLINE at :  https://app.unv.org/opportunities/1784888021261883