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 Assistant (Warehouse) reports to the Logistics Officer and supports the management of warehouse and logistics operations. The position is responsible for coordinating the safe, efficient, and accountable receipt, storage, handling, dispatch, and tracking of commodities, non-food items, and other supplies in accordance with WFP policies, procedures, and standards. The incumbent oversees day-to-day warehouse activities, including inventory management, commodity accounting, transport coordination, operational reporting, and service provider performance. The role also supports the operation of humanitarian logistics hubs, common logistics services, and emergency preparedness activities, while coordinating closely with the Storekeeper, logistics personnel, government counterparts, cooperating partners, and other stakeholders to ensure effective service delivery.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Coordinate and oversee day-to-day warehouse operations, ensuring the safe, efficient, and compliant receipt, storage, handling, and dispatch of commodities, non-food items, and other supplies.
2. Supervise and provide guidance to warehouse personnel, including the Storekeeper and casual labour teams, ensuring compliance with warehouse procedures, safety requirements, and performance standards.
3. Monitor inventory management and commodity accounting activities, ensuring accurate stock records, timely reconciliations, physical stock counts, and reporting in corporate systems.
4. Ensure proper storage conditions, stock rotation, quality control, warehouse safety, and asset protection measures to minimize losses and maintain operational standards.
5. Plan and coordinate warehouse space utilization, storage layouts, and operational workflows to optimize warehouse capacity and efficiency.
6. Coordinate dispatch planning, transport scheduling, and commodity movements to ensure timely and efficient delivery to cooperating partners, field locations, and other authorized destinations.
7. Monitor the performance of warehouse, transport, and logistics service providers, supporting contract administration, performance monitoring, and service quality improvement.
8. Compile, analyse, and report on warehouse and logistics performance indicators, inventory status, stock movements, and operational issues to support decision-making and operational planning.
9. Support logistics planning, commodity tracking, pipeline reviews, and operational preparedness activities to ensure continuity of logistics services.
10. Support budget monitoring, resource planning, customs clearance processes, documentation management, invoice verification, and other logistics-related administrative activities.
11. Support the operation and expansion of humanitarian logistics hubs, common logistics services, and on-demand logistics services for government and humanitarian partners.
12. Liaise with cooperating partners, government authorities, transporters, service providers, and other stakeholders to support coordinated and effective logistics operations.
13. Contribute to emergency preparedness and response activities by supporting the rapid mobilization, storage, and movement of relief commodities, equipment, and supplies.
14. Support capacity strengthening, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance warehouse management, inventory control, and logistics service delivery.
15. Perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Education:

• Completion of secondary school education. A diploma/degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Procurement, Operations Management, Business Administration, or related studies is desirable.

Experience:

• Five (5) years’ experience in warehouse operations, inventory management, commodity handling, and stock control within humanitarian, development, commercial, or public-sector environments.
• Experience coordinating the receipt, storage, dispatch, and tracking of commodities, non-food items, or other supply chain assets.
• Experience maintaining warehouse records, inventory databases, and logistics management information systems, including stock reconciliation and reporting.
• Experience supporting transport coordination, commodity movements, and logistics service delivery.
• Experience monitoring the performance of warehouse operations, transport activities, or service providers and contributing to operational improvements.
• Experience supporting emergency preparedness, response operations, or high-volume logistics activities.
• Experience supervising or coordinating warehouse personnel, casual labour, or service providers is desirable.
• Experience working with corporate systems and standard office software for operational planning, monitoring, and reporting.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Sound knowledge of warehouse management, inventory control, commodity accounting, and logistics operations.
• Knowledge of warehouse safety standards, stock management procedures, quality control measures, and asset protection practices.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify operational issues and implement practical solutions.
• Strong planning and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet operational deadlines.
• Ability to analyse warehouse and logistics data and prepare accurate operational reports.
• Strong communication and coordination skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues, transporters, service providers, government counterparts, and cooperating partners.
• Ability to supervise and guide warehouse personnel, promote compliance with procedures, and support a positive team environment.
• Ability to support capacity strengthening, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, accountability, and compliance with established procedures.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and adapt to changing operational requirements, including during emergency responses.

Languages:

• Fluency (level C) in English.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

• Coordinate and oversee day-to-day warehouse operations, ensuring the safe, efficient, and compliant receipt, storage, handling, and dispatch of commodities, non-food items, and other supplies.
• Supervise and provide guidance to warehouse personnel, including the Storekeeper and casual labour teams, ensuring compliance with warehouse procedures, safety requirements, and performance standards.
• Monitor inventory management and commodity accounting activities, ensuring accurate stock records, timely reconciliations, physical stock counts, and reporting in corporate systems.
• Ensure proper storage conditions, stock rotation, quality control, warehouse safety, and asset protection measures to minimize losses and maintain operational standards.
• Plan and coordinate warehouse space utilization, storage layouts, and operational workflows to optimize warehouse capacity and efficiency.
• Coordinate dispatch planning, transport scheduling, and commodity movements to ensure timely and efficient delivery to cooperating partners, field locations, and other authorized destinations.
• Monitor the performance of warehouse, transport, and logistics service providers, supporting contract administration, performance monitoring, and service quality improvement.
• Compile, analyse, and report on warehouse and logistics performance indicators, inventory status, stock movements, and operational issues to support decision-making and operational planning.
• Support logistics planning, commodity tracking, pipeline reviews, and operational preparedness activities to ensure continuity of logistics services.
• Support budget monitoring, resource planning, customs clearance processes, documentation management, invoice verification, and other logistics-related administrative activities.
• Support the operation and expansion of humanitarian logistics hubs, common logistics services, and on-demand logistics services for government and humanitarian partners.
• Liaise with cooperating partners, government authorities, transporters, service providers, and other stakeholders to support coordinated and effective logistics operations.
• Contribute to emergency preparedness and response activities by supporting the rapid mobilization, storage, and movement of relief commodities, equipment, and supplies.
• Support capacity strengthening, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance warehouse management, inventory control, and logistics service delivery.
• Perform other related duties as required.

• Sound knowledge of warehouse management, inventory control, commodity accounting, and logistics operations.
• Knowledge of warehouse safety standards, stock management procedures, quality control measures, and asset protection practices.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify operational issues and implement practical solutions.
• Strong planning and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet operational deadlines.
• Ability to analyse warehouse and logistics data and prepare accurate operational reports.
• Strong communication and coordination skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues, transporters, service providers, government counterparts, and cooperating partners.
• Ability to supervise and guide warehouse personnel, promote compliance with procedures, and support a positive team environment.
• Ability to support capacity strengthening, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, accountability, and compliance with established procedures.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and adapt to changing operational requirements, including during emergency responses.
• Experience maintaining warehouse records, inventory databases, and logistics management information systems, including stock reconciliation and reporting.
• Experience supporting transport coordination, commodity movements, and logistics service delivery.
• Experience working with corporate systems and standard office software for operational planning, monitoring, and reporting.

• Completion of secondary school education.
• A diploma/degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Procurement, Operations Management, Business Administration, or related studies is desirable.
• Fluency (level C) in English.