Merlin response team logistics manager

Merlin Response Team – MRT

In 2006, Merlin established a Merlin Response Team with the main aims being to respond to international humanitarian emergencies, to provide additional leadership and capacity to current and new programmes where required and to act as an additional organisational wide training resource.

Main purpose of the role

To help initiate Merlin’s response in emergencies which can include conducting rapid needs assessments, participating in the relevant clusters, developing project concept notes and proposals, coordinating with other health actors at local and national levels, starting up emergency activities and facilitating the eventual handover to more permanent incoming project staff.
The team will also assist in providing additional leadership and programme development to existing Merlin programmes throughout the world. This will include programme strengthening, as well as training (concentrating on disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness), strengthening the capacity of existing international and national staff and contributing to the further development of Merlin's humanitarian policy and positioning.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities for the role will vary according to assignment but could include:

- To respond to humanitarian emergencies under the management of the Head of Emergencies.
- To coordinate with the relevant clusters, donors, other sector actors and national/local authorities as necessary
- To provide leadership in developing an appropriate and timely intervention in close coordination with Merlin Head OfficeRapid needs assessment;
- Concept note, proposal and budget writing;
- Analysis of health / humanitarian contexts;
- Programme development and management;
- Security management;
- Establishment of new Merlin country programmes;
- Donor negotiations;
- Programme administration;
- Recruitment of staff for new programmes
- Assessment Undertake country needs assessments as necessary in coordination with Programme Desks, the Health Department, the International Director and the Head of Logistics
- Strengthening skills and programmes On a case-by-case basis support existing programmes according to Terms of Reference – to be determined by Regional Manager, Country Management Team, Head of emergencies, the Regional Logistics Advisor, and the Merlin Response Team member
- Lead in strengthening existing capacity and further develop programmes where required.
- Strengthen existing Merlin programming with reinforcement of existing Merlin policies and procedures
- Assist in the development and delivery of quality evidence based training to Merlin HO and field staff in line with skills and experience
- Coaching and mentoring of key personnel
- Emergency response training and course development to be conducted in close coordination with the Head of Emergencies, Development and Training Coordinator and the International Director and other relevant departments
- Perform other defined tasks as per specific terms of reference for that assignment To conduct monitoring and evaluation visits to current programmes when requested Identify and analyze opportunities that contribute to strategic aims and translate them into practical plans.
- Logistics Responsible for overseeing all logistics activities in country, including international and local procurement, warehousing, power supply, communications, fleet and equipment maintenance and management in co-ordination with HO and in line with Merlin guidelines.
- Oversee and monitor asset management (produce monthly asset list) Responsible for stock control consistent with Merlin procedures (produce monthly stock reports)
- Ensure efficient and appropriate logistical support is provided for all site activities including drug distributions, watsan activities and construction.

Person specification

- Essential technical skills and knowledge
- Extensive proven experience of logistics in humanitarian aid programmes (both in the field as a logistician + experience as a Logistics Coordinator)
- Significant experience of emergency response Technical skills in supply chain management, communication systems, power supply, and fleet management, as well as in one or more of the following: construction, water and sanitation, cold chain management.
- Extensive experience of security management in insecure environments
- Experience of managing, training and supporting staff Experience of planning and managing budgets
- Experience of writing narrative and financial reports Valid international driving license (manual gears)
- Fluent written and spoken English Experience of external representation
- Excellent knowledge of donor compliance (DfID, ECHO, EU, OFDA, USAID, DEC)

Desirable technical skills and knowledge

- Previous logistics experience with Merlin Relevant university degree in logistics, business, or development Working knowledge of second language, especially French and/or Arabic.
- Experience of health-specific logistics Knowledge and experience of Merlin’s systems, procedures, and values