ABOUT WFP
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes.
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
Afghanistan is becoming the world’s largest humanitarian crisis; 22.8 million people now face acute food insecurity according to the latest IPC assessment released on 25th October, including 8.7 million facing emergency levels of food insecurity (IPC phase 4). WFP has never seen this many people facing emergency levels of food insecurity in Afghanistan in the 10 years that the UN has been conducting IPC analyses.
WFP is ramping up its humanitarian support to meet the food and nutrition needs of almost 23 million people in Afghanistan. To support this scale up, the Supply Chain corridor through Pakistan is critical to ensure the food needs of the people in Afghanistan are met.
Under the direct supervision of the Pakistan Country Office Head of Supply Chain, the Port Operation Officer (based in Karachi) will be responsible for the following duties:
JOB PURPOSE
To contribute to daily planning and coordination of WFP logistics operations including monitoring of services provided by contracted external organizations to ensure cost-effective operations and that set objectives are achieved in full.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Coordinate with Port entities, freight forwarders and superintendents appointed by WFP as to secure up-lift capacity and timely dispatch of cargo to destination
Conduct ports, markets and transport capacity analysis periodically and come up with recommendations on optimization option on port/corridor utilization for transiting cargo.
Closely coordinate with receiving countries to ensure information’s are shared in relation to cargo arrival, prioritization, stocks and daily uplift.
Collect and share information on potential transport delays/port congestion to ensure WFP interests are fully covered and share this information with the necessary concerned offices and HQ units.
Monitor the performance of WFP appointed contractors and report on their performances
Monitor loading/unloading operations and a correct stowage of the cargo on trucks and storage in the warehouses, regular visits to Port and warehouses.
Report and document loss and damages and intervene in cases of damaged cargo. In collaboration with SCOR, arrange for adequate inspections, sampling, testing.
Pro-active prevent of commodity losses during WFP chartered vessel discharges operations including the implementation of mitigation measures, necessary interventions during cases of cargo damage, and timely reporting of any incidents, commodity losses/ damages to all relevant parties and the arrangements for adequate inspections, sampling, testing to support the final settlement of disputed cargoes
Act as Shipping liaison and first point of contact between field operations and the shipping team in Rome on all technical and operational matters related to the Afghanistan response;
Assist the Logistics team developing sufficient surge capacity to handle the expected increase in containerized volumes through Port Qasim and Karachi;
OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS
Oversee effective functioning of all port and transit activities through Port Qasim, Karachi and any new/other sea/overland corridors yet to be established in support of Afghanistan;
Assist the CO determining adequate port/corridor staffing structure and levels and provide guidance, develop training and capacity building for any knowledge gaps perceived;
Determine most cost-effective and preferred contracting modalities for different commodity groups, bagged, palletized, food, NFI etc (FCL/FCL with devanning and t/shipment in port, TBL options, on-carriage containerized through WFP arrangement etc);
Establish effective planning, communication and documentation protocols including SOPs between WFP Logs teams in Afghanistan and Pakistan;
If required, assist HQ shipping in reinstating bulk handling discharge contract in Port Qasim/Karachi
Coordinate with all internal and external stakeholders, and ensure the timely and cost-effective movement of WFP chartered / liner vessels & cargoes through the ports .
Effective coordinate with WFP’s vessel agents, port & local authorities representatives, WFP's superintendent and WFP’s logistics service providers, to ensure no delays in cargo clearance and WFP vessel’s discharge / dispatch arrangements and operations .
Supervise WFP chartered vessel discharge operations and assurance that all necessary corrective actions are taken to achieve the most cost-efficient and timely operations, as well as the avoidance or minimization of demurrage charges, detention fees and any other additional costs that WFP may incur;
Ensure that all required documentation, such as Statement of Facts, Notice of Readiness, and Letter of Protest etc. are submitted/ accepted correctly as per the Charter Party , and taking necessary mitigation measure to protect WFP’s interests .
In coordination with the supply chain team, to ensure that all necessary contracts are in place to handle WFP charter / liner vessels cargo , and for any other logistics services required, including stevedoring, customs clearance, transportation, warehousing etc.
STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: University degree or completion of Superior Maritime Institution, preferably in transport economics, with relevant logistic qualifications or extensive logistics experience in port and shipping operations.
DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE
At least 3 years of postgraduate professional experience in Port and International Shipping Operations.
WFP previous working experience and procedures knowledge are welcome.
Familiarity with international commodity trade practices;
Ability to plan and organise the work and to meet strict deadlines;
In-depth knowledge in port operations and technology, cargo and shipping documentation, C/P interpretation and shipping business;
Knowledge of computer software such as MS Office (i.e. Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and e-mail communications.
Language: Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or WFP’s working language, Portuguese.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
The deadline to apply to this position is January 28, 2022.
This vacancy is archived.