LEBANON – SUPPLY MANAGER (H/F) – TRIPOLI at SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL

ABOUT THE MISSION

Desired start date: ASAP

Duration of the mission: 12 months

Location: Tripoli

Lebanon hosts about 1.5 million Syrian refugee, mainly in its Northern governorates (Akkar and Tripoli) and in the Bekaa Valley. SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL (SI) has launched its operations in Lebanon in March 2013 to address immediate needs of both Syrian refugees and Lebanese affected by the crisis. Ever since, SI in Lebanon has transitioned towards more integrated programs to still address basic needs such as WASH, Shelter, Health and protection (the 2 latter through partners). In 2020, SI Lebanon started an ambitious DRRM project, funded by the AFD, and which aims at developing a river-basin integrated model to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies such as floods. In 2021 SI Lebanon started a EU-funded (MADAD) WASH project to work with local Water authorities (North Lebanon Water Establishment) to improve the functioning of water supply networks. SI is also addressing the consequences of the Beirut Blast response through a two-phased project to rehabilitate damaged dwelling units and public spaces (in partnership with the Lebanese and French Red Cross).

SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL’s mission in Lebanon has two operational bases (Tripoli and Zahle) and a coordination office in Beirut.

The expatriate team consists of 18 staffs members, while the national team represents about 170 staff members.

The mission’s overall budget was of 14 M Euros in 2020. Tripoli base counted for 60% of this amount and Zahle base for 40%.

Key sectors of intervention for the mission are the following:

• Emergency WASH service provision in informal settlements (UNICEF)
• Integrated Protection for basic services (shelter and WASH rehabilitation) in Substandard Buildings (ECHO)
• Emergency response through ECA and distributions (ECHO)
• Disaster Risk Reduction Management (AFD)
• Wash infrastructures development (EU/MADAD)
• Mapping of informal settlements (MEDAIR/UNHCR)
• Cash assistance third party monitoring system (CAMEALEON)

ABOUT THE JOB

General objective:

The Supply Manager will implement and supervise all procurement and warehousing activities at his/her assigned base to ensure the smooth running of SI program in North.

The main responsibilities:

• The main base in Tripoli has a very high workload and an important volume of procurement activities with a large number of contracts to implement within a restricted period of time.
• The Supply Manager will deal with a large amount of work and service contracts which implies the following:
  • Following up with and manage many key suppliers (pre-qualified and non-qualified) in a due manner by respecting accountability and complainace rules established by SI
  • Monitoring very closely the prioritization and follow-up of Internal Order Forms (IOF), namely according to operational needs and timelines
  • Cooperating very closely the programme teams and finance department
  • Monitoring very closely the administration of contracts (contractor selection, contract and purchase file review, signing, amendments, handover of works, payments) with important focus on the contract follow-up
  • Following up very closely complex car fleet management (39 cars rented) with regard to (1) fuel supplies in view of current scarcities in the country and (2) the deployment of vehicles with field teams
  • Managing procurement through the newly implemented LINK software

The main challenges:

• The position focus on procurement, with a large amount of work contracts. That implies:
  • People management and building capacities
  • Developing team spirit and motivating the people in their job
  • Ensuring compliance and accountability of all logistics activities in view of previous issues with supplier selection and a very fraud-prone environment (high level of corruption in the country)
  • reviewing and adapting existing follow-up tools and following up on KPI
  • developing a systemic approach in the organization and dispatch of tasks and the management of people in order to render work more efficient by considering the demands of programme
  • Documenting local operations, and training team members accordingly

Management:

• Previous experience in management is a mandatory pre-requisite given the importance and technicity required in Lebanon in terms of management, accountability and compliance
• Management is key for the position to maintain clear organization and communication inside the team. Lebanon requires a management style which values and involves the teams and which is not too directive since staff can get easily offended. However, some staff is already for quite a while in the same position. So, a thorough follow-up on developed routines and workflow is needed.
• Ensuring regular job appraisal based determined tasks and objectives is crucial. Committing to implement continuous capacity building of the team.
• The Tripoli’s Supply team is composed of: 1 Deputy Logistics manager supply, 1 logistics assistant supply, 3 purchase officers, 1 storekeeper.

Budget:

Annual volume of Tripoli base: 8-10 M Euros / year

YOUR PROFILE

Specific skills and experience:

Education:

• Bachelor degree in a field related to Logistics / Supply.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years relevant logistics and management experience in emergency and/or development context
• Previous experience with SI is a STRONG asset (knowledge of SI tools and processes)
• Previous experience with LINK (Logistics software for procurement) is a STRONG asset.
• Experience in the management of budgets and the ability to prepare timely, complete, and accurate reports
• Demonstrable knowledge of rules, regulations, and donor policies governing the compliance/regulatory management of procurement rules from US, EU, UN, and other agencies
• Proven ability to develop, implement and support adequate logistics systems, including planning, managing, procurement, fleet stock, and asset management
• Previous experience in Lebanon is an asset

Technical skills and knowledge:

• Very good command of logistics procedures
• Problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to assess challenges and recommend solutions
• Strong management, training/capacity-building skills
• Computer literacy with very good command of MS Office Suite and especially high proficiency in Excel to handle and develops auditing tools with the coordination

Soft skills and spirit:

• Autonomy
• Respect of security rules
• Flexibility
• Stress management skills: the ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines, with peaks of heavy workloads
• Team player, capacity to give a positive dynamic to a young team whilst being fully part of the base’s management team.

Languages:

• Fully fluent English: speaking, reading, and writing skills;
• Good command of Arabic and/or French an asset

Others:

• Commitment to the fundamental principles of SI’s charter and ethics

SI WILL OFFER YOU

A salaried post:
Starting from 1800 euros gross per month (+ 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly i.e. 1980 euros gross per month) and valorization according to experience (+100€/year of humanitarian experience on an equivalent position and +50€/year of experience on a non-equivalent position)
and a monthly Per Diem of 750 USD

SI also covers accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate’s country of origin and the place of assignment.

Vacation:

During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of 7 working days every three months. For a one-year assignment, the expatriate will have a 7 working days break at 3, 6 and 9 months (with 850 USD allocated by Solidarités).

To these break periods, it is necessary to add the granting of one additional rest day per month worked, i.e. 12 days in addition for a one-year contract.

Social and medical cover:
Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which reimburses all healthcare expenses (including medical and surgical expenses, dental care and ophthalmological expenses, repatriation) and a welfare system including war risks. Essential vaccination and antimalarial treatment costs are refunded.

LIVING CONDITIONS

Specific update related to context:

The security situation in Lebanon is complex and volatile due to both the political deadlock and the economic crisis.

Nevertheless, although Lebanon is no longer the completely quiet place it was two years ago, the situation remains very volatile and unpredictable. Despite an increased security level, minimal reinforced security measures are applied for now. There are few movement restrictions (beyond COVID19 related measures) which mainly due to road blocks, very few no-go areas in the region, Beirut and the country, and petty criminality is rampant.

In North and Akkar particularly, demonstrations and riots are more frequent than in other regions of the country due to an already very precarious situation. It is expected to remain so or to increase slightly due to the economic and political situation. A very tight security monitoring system is in place in the region (directly managed by one dedicated security and liaison manager and the Field Coordinator, with the support of the Coordination).

Key information about living conditions:

The guesthouse is located in El Mina being a municipality next to Tripoli (10 min away) and directly located on the Mediterranian Sea (corniche). You will find several shops, bars and restaurants in Mina, and supermarkets and many restaurants in Tripoli, as well as few places to go out. The flat is located on the 5th floor of a modern building. Electricity is available most of the day as the power shifts automatically to the generator when required.

The base office is so far located in Minieh being a municipality 20 minutes by car northwards of Tripoli. SI plans to shift the base to Tripoli by mid-November 2021. There is a sub-office in Halba (Akkar).

In Beirut, the guesthouses and the office are located in the same area (10 min walking distance). The guesthouse is a five-bedroom apartment, fully furnished and comfortable. In normal times (when lockdown is not on for demonstration or COVID-19) Beirut is a vibrant city, where you can find all kind of restaurants, shops, international libraries, bars, cinemas, etc. All common goods and amenities are usually available on all bases (although more and more shortages are reported on imported goods due to the economic crisis).

At the time of writing, schools are closed and no information is yet communicated about the reopening. Hospitals are still running but shortages of human resources, materials and medicines affect their treatment capacity, which was already overstretched because of COVID-19 pandemic.

Vehicles are available for SI expatriates on evening and week-end if you have a valid international driving license. When COVID-19 related lockdown is not on, Lebanon is a safe country that you can discover by yourself. SI also have guesthouses in Zahle and Tripoli where you can stay over the weekend.