LEBANON – LOGISTICIAN (H/F) – TRIPOLI at Solidarités International

Desired start date: 10/11/2021

Duration of the mission: 12 months

Location: Tripoli

ABOUT THE MISSION

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 Logistician will implement and supervise all logistics operations at his/her assigned base to ensure the smooth running of SI program in North:

• He/she organizes logistics support for programs, in keeping with Solidarités International procedures and donor regulations.
• He/she ensures the implementation of SI procedures and logistics tools at the base level and ensures their compliance and their proper use.
• He/she will assist the field coordinator and the security liaison manager in the implementation of safety rules.
• He/she will conduct advanced purchased file statistics following logistics coordination demands.
• He/she supports monitors and trains the members of his/her team.

The main responsibilities:

• Managing qualified people and developping team spirit
• Developing a systemic approach in the organization of task and individual’s management (regular appraisal, defining tasks and objectives, implementing continuous capacity building)
• Reviewing and adapting follow up tools and follow up on KPI
• Documenting local operations, and training teams accordingly
• Anticipating and forecasting substantial needs.

The main challenges:

• The base has a huge workload linked to the scope of logistics operations, namely a quantity of contracts to follow up in a restricted period.
• The position is significantly focused on procurement, with a large amount of work contracts, and car fleet management. That implies:
  • Dedicated and strategic suppliers follow-up and management
  • Very close monitoring of dedicated Internal Order Forms prioritization and implementation
  • Very close cooperation with the programme team
  • Very close monitoring of contracts administration (contractor selection, contract and purchase file review, signatures, amendment, handover, payment) with an important focus on the contract follow-up
  • Very close follow-up of fuel supplies given the current scarcities and deployment with operations

Management

The Logistics team is composed of:

• 1 Deputy Logistics manager supply
• 1 Logistics assistant operation
• 1 Logistics assistant supply
• 3 Purchase officers
• 1 Storekeeper/Purchase officer
• 1 Deputy Logistics manager operation (fleet, stock, premises, IT):
• 1 Head of drivers
• 5 Drivers
• 1 Technician

Procurement Audit

Close compliance control is key in the position given

• the high volume of file which makes archiving and completeness of purchase file challenging
• Important financial volumes which can trigger auditors’ attention
• Important grounds for fraud schemes due to numerous redundant/similar procurements.

Security

• Although part of the local security team, the position is not involved in the local security management besides routine task linked to the job (budget FU/procurement/premises/car movements)

YOUR PROFILE

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor degree in a field related to Logistics

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:

• Problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to assess challenges and recommend solutions
• Strong management, training/capacity-building skills
• 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.

LANGUAGE:

• Good and proven writing and spoken English are required
• Good command in Arabic and French is an asset

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.

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).

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.

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.