Country Supply Manager – Afghanistan

INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.

Terms of reference

Job Title: Country Supply Manager

Code: SR-28-3144

Duty station: Kabul with frequent visits to field locations

Starting date: 16/01/2023

Contract duration: 12 months

Reporting to: Country Logistics and Supply Coordinator

Supervision of: n/a

Dependents: Non-family duty station

General context of the project

Over 40 years of conflicts and political turmoil have taken a massive cumulative toll on the people of Afghanistan. A total of 18.4 million people, almost half of the total population, have been estimated by the UN to need humanitarian assistance prior to recent events. Severe droughts are recurring in Afghanistan, currently resulting in nearly 14 million people in acute food insecurity, with over 3 million children facing severe malnourishment. The recent displacement of 550,000 people is adding to an estimated 2.9 million people who remain internally displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance, while winter months are around the corner.

INTERSOS has been working in Afghanistan since 2001, with a country office in Kabul, and field bases in Kandahar and Zabul provinces. In recent years INTERSOS has been focusing its assistance based on integrated community-based approach that includes primary health care (including sexual and reproductive health care), nutrition and protection programmes serving conflict-affected populations, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, with a special focus on socially excluded individuals, including women, children and persons living with disabilities.

With its operational approach and active engagement with the communities, INTERSOS has been enjoying strong community acceptance and operational access. All INTERSOS activities continue to be implemented in Afghanistan at present time, with no operational restrictions and with full inclusion of female staff.

It is widely anticipated that Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation may deteriorate further, given that the international support to key essential and social services – food aid, health, education, and other essential services, is currently frozen. Although humanitarian aid can not replace this gap, the international assistance that prioritises urgent humanitarian needs will be essential.

At the same time, unless the operational environment with all its impediments (including in relation to banking/cash transfers and counter-terrorism measures) does not improve, the response will continue to be a challenge.

Recognising that the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan will require a more intensified international humanitarian assistance, INTERSOS remains in Afghanistan to deliver its ongoing activities, and potentially scale up its response.

General purpose of the position

The Country Supply Manager is responsible for the correct planning, implementation and monitoring and management of the supply chain activities and sections (order processing, procurement, warehouse and transport and customs), in accordance with INTERSOS protocols, standards and procedures in order to contribute to an efficient running of the mission.

Main responsibilities and tasks

• Participate actively in the definition and monitoring of annual project planning and budgets and the Emergency Preparation Plan, defining strategies and advising the Country Logistics and Supply Coordinator in the translation of the identified needs into objectives, priorities and resources needed for intervention
• Define, monitor, evaluate and ensure the implementation of the strategies and overall supply activities in the mission, making adjustments where needed, according to INTERSOS standards, protocols and procedures. This includes guaranteeing of the following:
  • an efficient supply administration and provision of adapted tools to support the different supply activities
  • standardisation of warehouse management and interactions with the distribution points
  • stability of supply activities within regular and emergency intervention of the concerned projects and manages field visits on regular basis to offer a permanent support to the direct and indirect supply stakeholders
  • validation of the use of the supply related third parties (suppliers, transport companies, freight forwarders, customs agent) proposed by the logistics officers and the supply assistant, together with the technical referents when needed
• Management of the supply chain through IMP
• Implementation of IMS in the country
• Manage the supply sections at coordination level: order processing, procurement, warehouse (log and med), and transport and customs activities
• Plan, coordinate and supervise the daily activities of the supply sections and define their level of priority. Implement the adequate tools and procedures
• Evaluate the workload of supply staffs and the performance proposing re-dimensioning where necessary
• Coordinate communication lines and functional links between the supply department and other departments (Finance, Medical and Logistics departments)
• Ensure good communication process and satisfactory levels within the projects
• Ensure a smooth running supply administration and the respect of the implemented supply procedures. Propose adjustments where needed
• Plan, supervise and implement, in close coordination with the HR department, the associated processes (recruitment, training, briefing/debriefing, performance evaluation, detection of potential, development and internal communication) of the staffs under his/her responsibility in order to ensure both the sizing and amount of knowledge required
• Ensure technical support to his/her team as well as to all other teams in the mission

Required profile and experience

Education

Degree and specialization in Logistics/Supply Chain​

Professional Experience

• Minimum two years’ experience in supply chain management and in organization of supply administration and procedures
• Desirable proven understanding of INTERSOS Field Logistics (general knowledge of INTERSOS equipment and kits in accordance to the nature of the project)

Professional Requirements

• High level of integrity and understanding of procurement ethics
• Planning and organisational skills and ability to meet deadlines
• Negotiation skills, communication and interpersonal skills
• Service orientation
• Initiative
• Analytical thinking & decision making
• People management and development

Languages

• English language essential.
• Local working language desirable

Personal Requirements

• Flexibility and adaptability
• Results and quality orientation
• Teamwork and cooperation
• Commitment to INTERSOS principles