Supply Chain Coordinator – Venezuela

CONTEXT 

Since 2015, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has been active in Venezuela. As of 2022, two sections Operational Center Amsterdam and Operational Center Brussels (OCA and OCB) were having a portfolio of four projects in Anzoátegui, Bolivar, Amazonas, and Delta Amacuro. Due to the volatile political situation and complex context, an agreement was reached in 2019 between MSF’s civil association and Venezuelan authorities, leading to the creation of the Venezuela Intersectional Supply Unit (VISU).

In 2023, OCA announced its departure from Venezuela, resulting in the dissolution of VISU and its transformation into the OCB Supply Team. This change led to a significant reduction in personnel and the redefinition of the Head of VISU role to the Supply Coordinator for the country. This position now encompasses responsibilities for importation, local procurement, warehousing, distribution and substantial support to ongoing projects of OCB (Anzoategui and Delta Amacuro).

MSF has restructured its Supply Unit in Venezuela, which previously served different operational centres. This change has been implemented but will still require monitoring and securing procedures. In 2025, two projects may lead to further strategic adjustments, aligning the supply component with the overall operational strategy (warehouses, capacity, supply strategy, etc.)

Key challenges include:

• Fuel shortages.

• HR gaps, particularly in sourcing Spanish-speaking profiles.

• Limited availability of suppliers and procurement difficulties (local medical sources).

• Complex customs regulations, limiting the importation.

• Social, political and economic crisis collaterally affecting project activities, including supply.

MAIN OBJECTIVE

Overall, the Supply Chain Coordinator is responsible for the correct planning, implementation, monitoring, and management of supply chain activities (order processing, procurement, warehouse, transport, and customs) at the country level, in accordance with MSF protocols, standards, and procedures to ensure the efficient running of program activities. Additionally, the Supply Chain Coordinator is responsible for training and capacity building of supply teams at the project level, standardizing supply processes within the country, purchases, contracts, and various procurement processes. This role requires a proactive approach to navigate the complexities of the Venezuelan context and ensure the smooth operation of supply chain activities.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate actively in the definition and monitoring of the annual project planning and budgets and in coordination program level
• 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
• Define, implementing and revising the supply strategy of the mission together with the coordination team according to the context and the operational needs, in line with MSF’s protocols, policies and guidelines
• Monitor the efficient implementation of the overall supply procedures (demand planning, procurement, importations and exportations, warehousing, distribution and transversal activities) and the use of tools to support the different supply activities, proposing adjustments when needed
• Anticipate 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…)
• Ensure the stability of supply activities within regular and emergency intervention of the concerned projects
• Perform 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
• Validate the use of the supply related third parties (suppliers, transport companies, freight forwarders, etc.) together with the technical referents when needed
• Represent MSF in meetings with authorities and other NGOs, and enhance diplomacy and relationships with them

• Strengthen integration and communication with both internal and external stakeholders

• 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 drafting / revision of the MoU / SLA of the mission
• Ensure 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 being accountable for
• Ensure proper flow of communication within the programs (supply teams, operations, medical and support departments) and with external stakeholders (suppliers, ESC, authorities…)
• Analyse supply chain activities through reporting and KPI while proactively communicating and collaborating with key stakeholders and proposing corrective and preventive actions

• Ensure quality and accuracy of data linked to the supply chain as well as the availability and optimization of mission Supply chain guidelines and SOPs

• At the request in the project, ensure that permanent support to the direct and indirect supply stakeholders is available and define adjustments when necessary

• Support Supply Managers at project level to ensure the efficient supply administration and provision of adapted tools specific to each project in support of the different supply activities

• Be responsible for the overall management of Unifield ERP system and trouble-shooting all Unifield supply related issues, provide Unifield technical support to all projects Supply Chain Unifield Users together with the UF Focal Point 

• Give input into recruitment of the supply staff, evaluations, trainings and arrangement of detachment within the team

REQUIREMENTS

Education & Experience

• Essential degree and specialization in Logistics/Supply Chain

• Essential, international working experience of at least two years as Supply Manager or Coordinator and previous humanitarian experience in MSF or other NGOs in developing countries

• Desirable proven understanding of MSF supply process

Competencies

• Strategic Vision 

• Service Orientation 

• Teamwork and Cooperation

• Leadership 

• People Management and Development 

Languages

• Proficiency in Spanish, both written and spoken is mandatory  

• Good knowledge of English is required

CONDITIONS

• Expected starting date: 5th of May 2025

• Location: Caracas (Venezuela) 

• Contract type: fixed-term contract – full-time

• Contract duration: 12 months (extendable)

• Mobility: Regular visits to projects in Venezuela 

• Salary according to MSF salary grid

• The contractual terms and salary will be established according to the official residence of the selected candidate and in compliance with the standard MSF function and salary grids
• No family position

• Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment

• Adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments

Deadline for applications: 7th of April 2025

How to apply?

➢ Submit your application via the 'Apply here' button

➢ You will be directed to the online application form for this position

➢ It should take 5-10 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for having your CV and motivation letter ready to upload

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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