Humanitarian Logistics & Security Advisor
Programs | Boston, MA, United States
June 2013
Oxfam America
Job Description
Job Title: Humanitarian Logistics & Security Advisor
Reports to: Deputy Director, Humanitarian Response Department (HRD)
Department: Humanitarian Response
Location: Boston, MA
Duration:
Coordinates with: HRD staff, Regional Humanitarian Coordinators (RHC), and Regional Program Department (RPD)
Program Associates. Might also liaise with Human Ressources Department, Regional Programs Department,
Regional Directors and Country Directors if necessary.
Purpose of position: To lead and support Humanitarian Response Department (HRD), the Regional Offices and
their partners in their development and growth in humanitarian logistics and security and to advise on agency-wide
operational systems and procedures to improve preparedness and implementation of emergency response and
security in field operations.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities: The position would have three broad areas of work. The percentages
indicated below would change during the time of an emergency with increasing effort devoted to logistics. During
emergencies the post holder will be available to undertake an initial assignment at the beginning of a response with
subsequent assignments as deemed necessary.
1. Lead the development of HRD’s logistics strategy, policies, and protocols, in line with OI’s Supply and
Logistics standards, and coordinate/support the implementation of these in the field offices (35%)






Develop HRD’s logistics strategy, policies, systems, and protocols that respond to our (HRD and Regions,
partners) operational needs and establish a roll out & capacity building process.
In collaboration with the CD’s and RHC’s, oversee regular regional assessments and analyses of Supply &
Logistics (S&L) performance across regions, identify gaps, and help develop and support plan for
developing office and partner capacity.
Develop and manage register of preferred providers and negotiate contracts with providers, including
OXFAM affialites; support regions in maintaining similar regional registers.
Support the establishment and management of regional contingency stocks, according to needs and
priorities.
Establish contacts and network with key actors at global and regional levels, including private sector players,
where relevant, to keep abreast of trends and to identify new opportunities for securing supplies.
Link with the Logistics Emergency Managers Network (EMN) to establish standards and ensure OA
compliance
2. Support HRD’s development of operational systems (and when necessary, that of partners) and
processesto improve speed and quality of responses, and oversee logistical aspects of emergency
responses: (35%)


Support the logistic assessments and start up of ermergency responses when needed. This implies working
with the regions and country teams and in close collaboration with our partners in the field.
Review timeliness of OA’s response in emergencies in terms of supply and logistics and follow up to
address specific issues that hamper rapid response and quality delivery by developing improved logistic
procedures and systems.


Document lapses or shortcomings in intra-agency collaboration and, working with HRD leadership, develop
proposals to improve collaboration between HRD with other OA departments which have a role in
emergency response (e.g., Regional Programs Department, Human Resources, Finance). Ensure the
implementation of agreed adjustments, improvements and changes.
Organize routine meetings with other OA departments on how responsiveness for emergency operations
can be improved.
1.
Support security for OA’s response work (30%)
The position will make sure that Security and Safety policies and procedures are taken into consideration and
integrated into humanitarian assessments and program design and staff is trained to guarantee a proper
implementation of those. The position will not be responsible for the implementation of safety and security procedures
at OA level, but just within the limits of humanitarian programming and staff. He / she will however provide support to
country offices and beyond the scope of humanitarian programs if requested.






Establish (when necessary) and / or support the implementation of standards for OA security management
within the scope of humanitarian programms and staff and in line with OA’s policies and procedures.
Review existing security systems in place in the field; make recommendations on additional measures that
may be necessary to meet Oxfam International (OI) standards and InterAction’s Minimum Operating
Security Standards (MOSS).
Plan security trainings that will provide an appropriate orientation for personal security awareness to all staff
based in Regional Offices (RO) or who travel to ROs.
Ensure that humanitarian staff in the field offices have appropriate security and safety training and support to
meet these responsibilities.
Contribute to the review of OA preparedness to manage a critical event (e.g., kidnapping, attack on OA
offices/staff. etc.).
Enhance OA’s security support network by being an active participant in: OI Security EMN and if possible
other fora like the InterAction Security Advisory Group, and Overseas Security Advisory Council.
Expectations for the position:



The incumbent will work effectively and collaboratively in support of building a team-based culture of work,
will perform all duties appropriate to a multi-cultural environment, treating all persons with dignity and
respect, and will be familiar with and committed to Oxfam America mission and goals.
The incumbent will stay abreast of policies, standards, trends and issues affecting this set of responsibilities.
The incumbent will have frequent travel to regional and field offices on short notice during emergencies.
Qualifications:
Required:
Education:

Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent experience.
Experience and Core Competencies:

A minimum of ten years of experience with international agencies providing large scale emergency
response.












A minimum of ten year of hands on experience in the fields of logistics and security for humanitarian
response.
Knowledge and ability to apply NGO/Red Cross Code of Conduct, SPHERE,
Ability to take initiatives and make decisions with limited support in fast moving environments;
Complete familiarity with current standards, best practices, and major trends in the fields of logistics and
security for international humanitarian response and a broad understanding of these for the humanitarian
field generally.
Proven experience in emergency assessments and excellent planning and report writing skills.
Proven practical experience with capacity building issues, including capacity gap assessments, designing
and implementing capacity building activities.
An established network of professional colleagues in the fields of humanitarian logistics and security.
Sound judgment on credibility and accuracy of information from diverse sources, ranging from private sector
research to data collection in programs/projects.
Excellent communication skills, verbal and written, including the ability to make complex technical
information accessible and usable by non-specialists.
Ability to identify and deal with sensitive issues both externally and internally, including sensitivity to cultural
differences, demonstrable understanding and experience of gender equity issues and their relevance to
humanitarian response work, and the ability to work in a wide variety of cultural contexts;
Proven analytical and strategic skills;
Well-developed computer/system experience.
Preferred:
o
o
o
Fluency in Spanish and/or French.
Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation.
Previous experience with Oxfam affiliates and knowledge of its systems and standards.
Exempt / Union / BAND G