MSF recruits 01 Head of Venezuela Intersectional Supply Unit (m/f/x) – MSF Belgium & MSF Netherlands – Venezuela

CONTEXT

Since 2015, MSF is present in Venezuela, and from 2022, two sections (Operational Center Amsterdam – OCA and Operational Center Belgium – OCB) remains in the country with a portfolio of 4 projects:

• OCB Anzoátegui – support to Primary Health Centers with focus on Sexual and Reproductive Health
• OCB Bolivar ( two bases, Tumeremo and Las Claritas) – access to primary and secondary care;
• OCA Amazonas – support to primary healthcare services;
• OCA Delta Amacuro – late opening in 2022.

The two sections have mutualized most of their supply management and are developing more collaboration areas with different intersectional positions.

Given the volatile political situation and complexity of the context in Venezuela, an agreement between the MSF (civil association) and authorities of the Venezuelan MoH (Ministerio del Poder Popular para la Salud – MPPS) was reached back in 2019 allowing MSF to operate as a medical warehouse of finished products (Almacén de Productos Terminados MSF-V) which let them to run importations, purchase and store locally or international acquired medicines and medical materials for the operation of the programs.

The condition above led to the creation of the Venezuela Intersectional Supply Unit (VISU), which aims on optimizing procedures, and establish a more effective, efficient, and collaborative supply chain in the country, making it operationally feasible to run the programs of the different MSF sections in the country, while ensuring compliance with the Venezuelan law canalized by a single entity and mediating risks by managing all international medical and logistic orders, their stock and transport to projects.

Therefore, VISU centralizes the supply management for MSF in Venezuela and due to its size (separated WH building) and operational response, has an autonomous management counting with its own budget and team located away from the coordination office.

Currently VISU is responsible for the management of: international ordering process, international customs & transport procedures, warehousing & stock management, and local distribution of orders to the field, all while ensuring compliance with the local national law. Nevertheless, representative challenges were perceived since November 2021 (political changes on the responsible authorities) had stopped the system of issuing specifically medical permits which limits the acquisition of certain key items for the programs, a larger group of the missions medical standard list. The importation system is getting more complex and we are now in need to find alternatives to ensure the supply of products for our operations.

Fuel shortages, low availability of reliable suppliers, constant changes in the law, and HR gaps especially when considering Spanish speaking profiles also represent some of the mission’s main challenges.

Considering the above, in 2023 we aim to continue and develop mainly:

• Sustainability and more harmonization of the agreement reached with the internal stakeholders (OCs) while maintaining the good relationship already built.
• Increase the networking and collaboration with external agents and partners that could work on the provision of alternatives to solve the challenges while getting updated on key information.
• Keep track and collaborate on the talks with local authorities to reopen the channels for regular importations and compliance with the law.
• Develop and improve the procurement activities now under the unit to ensure the best conditions are obtained while providing the best quality service.
• Develop the HR profiles of the people in the mission guaranteeing training, internal and external exchanges, and career promotions are continuously promoted.
• Continue developing mutualized strategies among the stakeholders in order to achieve the unit’s main objective of 2023, optimization of cost and reduction of overlapping procedures.
• Control the proper implementation of the strategy guaranteeing the continuation of the proposed 2023 strategy focusing on the right assignation of the budget and making a new design for the coming year 2024.

Main objectives and purpose of the post

Leading and designing the strategy and implementation of a responsive, agile and efficient supply chain for all operations in Venezuela.

• Guarantee the analysis of challenges, development of the strategy required, aligning this to the needs always ensuring the proper implementation that results on responsive, agile and efficient supply chain more mutualized for the entire mission.
• Meet and understand the changing needs of medical operations and deliver the right quality products on time at the right place, being part of the provision of solutions giving the unexpected challenges;
• Apply standards, policies and strategies according to MSF protocols with the right balance with the local law in order to enable the development of the mission and optimize the impact of the medical projects.

RESPONSIBILITIES

As Head of Venezuela Intersectional Supply Unit, you will:

• Participate actively in the definition and monitoring of the annual project planning and budgets
• Responsible for defining, implementing and revising the supply strategy of the mission together with the coordination teams according to the mission’s context and the operational needs, in line with MSF’s protocols, policies and guidelines
• Responsible for monitoring the efficient implementation of the overall supply procedures (demand planning, procurement, importations, warehousing, distribution and transversal activities) and the use of tools to support the different supply activities, proposing adjustments when needed
• Responsible for anticipating risks linked to the supply chain, defining action plan to mitigate those risks and implement it through a long-term strategy involving specialists (finance, legal, logistics and operations)
• Responsible for the stability of supply activities within regular and emergency intervention of the concerned projects.
• Responsible for performing regular assessment of the supply chain (including field visit), ensuring that permanent support to the direct and indirect supply stakeholders is available and defining adjustments when necessary.
• Final responsible for validating the use of the supply related third parties (suppliers, transport companies, freight forwarders, etc.) together with the technical referents when needed
• Represents MSF in meetings with Authorities and other NGOs
• Act as a focal point for definition, planning and implementation of intersection projects (mutualization, integrations, merging) and ensuring communication with various stakeholders and Participating in the revision of the MoU / service agreement of the mission.
• Responsible for the proper application of HR policies and associated processes (recruitment, training, briefing/debriefing, division of task, evaluation, potential, detection, staff’s development and internal communication) in order to ensure both the sizing and the amount of knowledge required for the activities he/she is accountable for.
• Responsible for the proper communication flows and its application within the mission (supply teams, Op, Med and support dpts) and with external stakeholders (suppliers, ESC, authorities…)
• Analyze supply chain activities through reporting and KPI while proactively communicating and collaborating with key stakeholders and proposing corrective and preventive actions Overall responsible for the quality and accuracy of data linked to the supply chain as well as the availability and optimization of mission Supply chain guidelines and SOPs.
• Participate actively in defining the Emergency response strategy in terms of supply (HR Set-up, Procurement strategy, Simplified procedure…),.and translating the identified needs into objectives, priorities and resources needed for intervention

Expériences / Formation

Education & Experience          

• Essential degree and specialization in Logistics/Supply Chain
• Essential working experience of at least two years in in similar supply chain management functions
• Essential previous humanitarian experience in MSF or other NGOs in developing countries
• Essential experience at coordination level and managing larger teams
• Desirable proven understanding of MSF Field Logistics (general knowledge of MSF equipment and kits in accordance to the nature of the project)

Competencies

• Humanitarian motivation and interest
• Strategic vision
• Leadership
• Management and development of staff
• Service orientation
• Teamwork and cooperation

Languages

• Proficiency in Spanish and English
• Portuguese is an asset

Salaire

• Expected starting date: 10/03/2023
• Location: Caracas (Venezuela)
• Type of contract: Fixed term contract – Full time
• Length of contract: 12 months
• Salary according to MSF-OCB Field salary scale. Transport, accommodation, vaccinations are taken in charge by MSF. Per diem + medical insurance
• Possibility to be accompanied by partner
• Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment
• Adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments
• A dynamic and stimulating work environment alongside multicultural colleagues

Comment postuler

Online applications to submitted by 17/01/2023 2023 latest via the following link. When clicking on this link, you will be directed to our online application tool.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

MSF values diversity and is committed to create an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

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