ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of extreme weather shocks.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

WHY JOIN WFP?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

BACKGROUND

In July 2023, the World Food Programme (WFP) Zambia Country Office commenced a new five-year Country Strategic Plan (CSP) informed by and aligned with national and United Nations priorities and global commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It embraces the Government’s long-term Vision 2030; aligns with 16 key strategic areas of the 8th National Development Plan (NDP8); and contributes to the joint Zambia-United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).

WFP Zambia’s integrated and pragmatic CSP shifts away from unsustainable localized and micro-level interventions, to embrace more effective advocacy and engagement with national policies, systems, and programmes to achieve national impact on SDG2. Given the Government’s commitment to budget support for nutrition, social protection, and agriculture, despite the constraints in the country’s fiscal position, WFP’s overarching strategy seeks to enable the government to meet its national priorities with better systems, expertise, and resources for implementation. This means a decisive shift of WFP’s country positioning towards the provision of innovative, sustainable, upstream technical assistance for nationally owned solutions.

Advancing the global WFP Strategic Plan (2026-2029), the Country Strategic Plan (CSP) addresses both SDG2 and SDG17 and is structured around three integrated strategic outcomes: (SO1) saving lives in crises; (SO2) reducing future humanitarian needs through resilience building; and (SO3) strengthening national systems and partner capacities.

REPORTING AND PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Logistics Officer reports to the Deputy Country Director and leads the logistics unit in the Country Office, providing strategic, technical, and operational leadership for logistics activities in support of WFP programmes, operations, and emergency response. The incumbent manages logistics staff and resources, ensuring the effective, efficient, compliant, and cost-effective delivery of logistics services, including transport, warehousing, and other supply chain support services. As head of the logistics unit, the incumbent is responsible for logistics planning, operational performance, resource management, risk mitigation, emergency preparedness, and continuous improvement initiatives. The role advises senior management on logistics strategies, operational risks, service delivery priorities, and resource requirements, while strengthening partnerships with government counterparts, UN agencies, cooperating partners, service providers, and other stakeholders to support WFP's operational and strategic objectives.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Lead and manage the logistics function, ensuring effective planning, prioritization, coordination, and delivery of logistics services in support of WFP operations, programmes, and emergency response activities.
• Supervise, coach, and develop logistics staff, ensuring effective workload management, accountability, performance management, and professional development.
• Advise senior management on logistics strategies, operational priorities, risks, capacity requirements, and service delivery solutions to support organizational objectives and programme implementation.
• Develop and implement logistics workplans, service improvement initiatives, and performance monitoring mechanisms to ensure efficient, compliant, and client-focused service delivery.
• Plan, coordinate, and oversee logistics operations, including transport, warehousing, inventory management, commodity handling, and other supply chain activities, ensuring compliance with WFP policies, procedures, and standards.
• Monitor logistics performance and operational trends, analyse data, and provide recommendations to improve efficiency, cost-effectiveness, accountability, and service quality.
• Lead logistics risk management activities, including contingency planning, operational risk mitigation, and implementation of appropriate controls to safeguard WFP assets and operations.
• Lead logistics emergency preparedness activities and ensure readiness to support rapid emergency response, surge operations, and humanitarian interventions.
• Oversee logistics aspects of business continuity planning and ensure critical logistics services remain operational during emergencies, disruptions, or periods of increased operational demand.
• Manage logistics budgets, operational resources, assets, and staffing requirements, ensuring effective and efficient utilization of available resources.
• Lead logistics procurement planning and requirements definition, and oversee the management of logistics service contracts, transport agreements, warehousing arrangements, and vendor performance to ensure quality service delivery and value for money.
• Establish and maintain effective partnerships with government counterparts, UN agencies, cooperating partners, NGOs, commercial service providers, and other stakeholders to strengthen logistics coordination, interoperability, and operational effectiveness.
• Represent WFP in logistics coordination mechanisms, technical working groups, humanitarian logistics forums, and other relevant platforms, promoting collaboration, information sharing, and common approaches where appropriate.
• Lead the planning, management, and expansion of WFP's common logistics services and humanitarian logistics capabilities, including logistics hubs, on-demand service provision, and support to government and humanitarian partners during preparedness and response activities.
• Lead logistics capacity strengthening initiatives for WFP staff, government counterparts, cooperating partners, and other stakeholders to enhance national and organizational logistics capabilities.
• Coordinate logistics support for programme implementation, field operations, emergency responses, and special operations, ensuring services meet evolving operational requirements.
• Prepare management reports, analyses, and recommendations on logistics performance, operational risks, resource utilization, service delivery, and strategic priorities to support informed decision-making.
• Perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Education:

• Advanced University degree in Transport Economics, Supply Chain, Logistics, Engineering, Business Management or other related field with one (1) year post graduate logistics experience in a humanitarian or related environment, or First University degree with three (3) additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses.

Experience:

• Experience managing logistics and supply chain operations, including transport, warehousing, inventory management, and service delivery.
• Experience planning, coordinating, and monitoring logistics operations in humanitarian, development, commercial, or public-sector environments.
• Experience managing transport services, logistics contracts, customs clearance processes, and relationships with service providers and government authorities.
• Experience coordinating logistics activities with procurement, programme, supply chain, and external partners.
• Experience in emergency preparedness, contingency planning, and humanitarian response operations.
• Experience using logistics information systems, corporate applications, and data analysis tools to support planning, monitoring, and reporting.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to identify risks and implement practical solutions.
• Strong planning, organizational, and resource management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and ensure continuity of operations.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills, including the ability to supervise, coach, develop, and motivate staff.
• Strong communication, coordination, and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior management, government counterparts, partners, and service providers.
• Ability to build capacity, promote knowledge sharing, and strengthen logistics capabilities among staff and partners.
• Sound understanding of logistics operations, supply chain management principles, emergency preparedness, and humanitarian response mechanisms.
• Ability to perform effectively under pressure and in emergency or rapidly changing operational environments.

Languages:

• Fluency (level C) in English.

• Lead and manage the logistics function, ensuring effective planning, prioritization, coordination, and delivery of logistics services in support of WFP operations, programmes, and emergency response activities.
• Supervise, coach, and develop logistics staff, ensuring effective workload management, accountability, performance management, and professional development.
• Advise senior management on logistics strategies, operational priorities, risks, capacity requirements, and service delivery solutions to support organizational objectives and programme implementation.
• Develop and implement logistics workplans, service improvement initiatives, and performance monitoring mechanisms to ensure efficient, compliant, and client-focused service delivery.
• Plan, coordinate, and oversee logistics operations, including transport, warehousing, inventory management, commodity handling, and other supply chain activities, ensuring compliance with WFP policies, procedures, and standards.
• Monitor logistics performance and operational trends, analyse data, and provide recommendations to improve efficiency, cost-effectiveness, accountability, and service quality.
• Lead logistics risk management activities, including contingency planning, operational risk mitigation, and implementation of appropriate controls to safeguard WFP assets and operations.
• Lead logistics emergency preparedness activities and ensure readiness to support rapid emergency response, surge operations, and humanitarian interventions.
• Oversee logistics aspects of business continuity planning and ensure critical logistics services remain operational during emergencies, disruptions, or periods of increased operational demand.
• Manage logistics budgets, operational resources, assets, and staffing requirements, ensuring effective and efficient utilization of available resources.
• Lead logistics procurement planning and requirements definition, and oversee the management of logistics service contracts, transport agreements, warehousing arrangements, and vendor performance to ensure quality service delivery and value for money.
• Establish and maintain effective partnerships with government counterparts, UN agencies, cooperating partners, NGOs, commercial service providers, and other stakeholders to strengthen logistics coordination, interoperability, and operational effectiveness.
• Represent WFP in logistics coordination mechanisms, technical working groups, humanitarian logistics forums, and other relevant platforms, promoting collaboration, information sharing, and common approaches where appropriate.
• Lead the planning, management, and expansion of WFP's common logistics services and humanitarian logistics capabilities, including logistics hubs, on-demand service provision, and support to government and humanitarian partners during preparedness and response activities.
• Lead logistics capacity strengthening initiatives for WFP staff, government counterparts, cooperating partners, and other stakeholders to enhance national and organizational logistics capabilities.
• Coordinate logistics support for programme implementation, field operations, emergency responses, and special operations, ensuring services meet evolving operational requirements.
• Prepare management reports, analyses, and recommendations on logistics performance, operational risks, resource utilization, service delivery, and strategic priorities to support informed decision-making.
• Perform other related duties as required.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to identify risks and implement practical solutions.
• Strong planning, organizational, and resource management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and ensure continuity of operations.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills, including the ability to supervise, coach, develop, and motivate staff.
• Strong communication, coordination, and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior management, government counterparts, partners, and service providers.
• Ability to build capacity, promote knowledge sharing, and strengthen logistics capabilities among staff and partners.
• Sound understanding of logistics operations, supply chain management principles, emergency preparedness, and humanitarian response mechanisms.
• Ability to perform effectively under pressure and in emergency or rapidly changing operational environments.
• Fluency (level C) in English.

• Advanced University degree in Transport Economics, Supply Chain, Logistics, Engineering, Business Management or other related field with one (1) year post graduate logistics experience in a humanitarian or related environment, or First University degree with three (3) additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses.
• Experience managing logistics and supply chain operations, including transport, warehousing, inventory management, and service delivery.
• Experience planning, coordinating, and monitoring logistics operations in humanitarian, development, commercial, or public-sector environments.
• Experience managing transport services, logistics contracts, customs clearance processes, and relationships with service providers and government authorities.
• Experience coordinating logistics activities with procurement, programme, supply chain, and external partners.
• Experience in emergency preparedness, contingency planning, and humanitarian response operations.
• Experience using logistics information systems, corporate applications, and data analysis tools to support planning, monitoring, and reporting.