Senior Officer, Supply Chain

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs 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.”  IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

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 IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

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.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas.  IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. 

The Senior Supply Chain Officer will be responsible for supporting Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) with all logistics and procurement related activities funded through the IFRC Emergency Appeals and regular programmes ensuring timely delivery of goods and services in line programme and response planning and adhering donor timelines and requirements in coordination with IFRC’s regional Global Humanitarian Services & Supply Chain Management (GHS&SCM) function. The position will also, based on request, support SARC Supply Chain capacity development. This position will primarily focus on working with SARC to ensure all country level logistical activities are in line with IFRC standards and as per SARC needed.

The Senior Supply Chain Officer will work closely with the IFRC Operations Manager and technical team for planning and execution of logistics services and assume the responsibility for procurement activities.

The incumbent is expected to be operational and lead by example, demonstrating professionalism, integrity, and accountability in all logistics operations. The role holder will take ownership of challenges, proactively seek solutions, and ensure that logistics tasks are carried out with efficiency and diligence. By setting a high standard of performance, s/he will encourage a collaborative and results-oriented working environment within the GHS&SCM team and SARC.

Coordination and capacity development

• Build strong working relationships with SARC and IFRC (mainly program and logistics) staff, acting as the central logistics point of contact within the team. Establish regular contact with counterpart at IFRC Regional Office for better support to SARC and IFRC country team.
• Ensure smooth coordination between SARC, IFRC, and other relevant departments, facilitating the clear flow of information related to supply chain and procurement activities.
• Communicate logistics progress and any challenges to internal stakeholders in a timely and effective manner, ensuring that any issues related to shipments or customs clearance are addressed collaboratively.
• Provide weekly updates on shipment statuses, including any challenges faced in customs clearance or transport, along with solutions or recommendations to address bottlenecks.
• Strengthen and support Movement logistics technical working group (TWGs) in Syria, to ensure coordinated approach is followed to support SARC.
• Work closely with SARC and in-country partners in agreed areas for logistics/procurement capacity strengthening.

Procurement

• Under the supervision of Operations Manager, prepare procurement plan with SARC counterparts and IFRC technical leads for goods and services supported by the IFRC ensuring procurement timelines are realistic and adhered to.
• Close collaboration with IFRC Regional GHS&SCM to ensure that the best sourcing strategy is used.
• Coordinate and follow up national procurements carried out by SARC or international procurements through Regional GHS&SCM based on the suitability, cost efficiency and timelines, and in close consultations with technical staff (including health, livelihoods, NSD) and SARC procurement unit counterparts.
• Support SARC to carry out local procurement, ensuring compliance with SARC’s and IFRC standard procurement and logistics procedures, in country tendering, comparative bid analysis and contract award.
• Ensure compliance with IFRC procedures and standards, and national regulations, in all matters related to in country procurement.

Supply Chain

• Ensure the accurate and timely preparation of all logistics documentation is ready and made available by SARC before any IFRC consignment arrives in country. This includes customs clearance forms, shipping manifests, and inventory records.
• Take charge of monitoring, tracking, and reporting on all incoming shipments, ensuring that goods are delivered to their final destinations without unnecessary delays.
• Communicate shipment statuses regularly to key stakeholders, addressing any potential issues such as delays or transportation challenges.
• Maintain an audit trail for all logistics documents to ensure transparency and accountability within the operation.
• Collaborate with SARC to develop and implement a supply chain strategy that ensures the efficient movement of goods in and out of their warehouses, while adhering to IFRC standards.
• Support SARC in developing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that improve the logistics processes, ensuring consistency and efficiency in the management of shipments and cargo.

• Professional qualification in supply chain or equivalent experience - Required
• University degree in a related field or equivalent experience - Preferred

• Minimum 5 years of relevant logistics field experience, including experience in warehousing, customs clearance, transporting goods, fleet management, purchasing, customs clearance - Required
• 3+ years of experience in a humanitarian organization, RC/RC movement - Preferred
• Experience in working in humanitarian interventions including large complex operations and/or development programmes - Preferred
• Proven experience to carry out supply chain assessments and set up large operations - Required
• Experience in managing and training staff/volunteers - Preferred
• Experience in project management, planning and managing budgets - Preferred
• Experience of internal Red Cross Movement and external stakeholder relationships - Preferred
• Experience working for a humanitarian aid organisation - Preferred
• Experience of Supply Chain NS development - Preferred

• In-depth grasp of supply chain practices, including legal aspects, knowledge of procedures and international supply chain standards - Required
• Professional use of MS Office tools (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, PowerPoint …) - Required
• Excellent communications skills including report writing - Required
• Ability to work in a cross-functional environment and multi-cultural environment - Required
• Transport and fleet management. Supply chain logistical coordination – Required
• Project management skills - Preferred
• Knowledge of communications systems (satellite phones, etc.) - Preferred
• Valid driving license for light vehicles (manual gears) - Required
• Valid heavy vehicle driving license - Preferred
• Fluent spoken and written Arabic and English - Required
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish) - Preferred

• 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

Important note:

The selected national candidate will be contracted by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and seconded to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent.

IFRC Disclaimer

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

If you appointed to or undertake a role within IFRC, whether as staff, staff on loan or secondees, you will be subject to the organization's Code of Conduct, which is available here and on our website.

Note: All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which include prior professional conduct checks and review of criminal records. IFRC will request a conduct check from all prior employers for a period of 5 years, including but not limited to employers who like IFRC participate in the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. For more details on the Scheme, please see ont-style: italic;">THE MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE SCHEME — SCHR.

IFRC ensures equal employment opportunities!