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Supply logistician

An MSF logistician pictured in the northern Sumatra province of Indonesia. Caption
An MSF logistician pictured in the northern Sumatra province of Indonesia.

Our supply logisticians make sure our projects are equipped with everything that's needed to deal with an emergency.

From collecting supplies from a Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) plane on a makeshift runway to working with the Pharmacy Manager and medical team to forecast medical supplies months in advance, the work of a supply logistician is far-reaching and vital to the whole team.

Responsibilities

Our supply logisticians are responsible for ordering all supplies for the project. They often have experience in supply chain management and have strong skills in managing spreadsheets and databases.

The supply logistician is either based in the project or the capital and works closely with all departments, ensuring that accurate forecasting is done so that the project has the capacity to respond immediately to urgent medical needs as they arise. 

Managing local staff

Training, supervising and managing local staff is a key responsibility, and the supply team may be comprised of storekeepers, purchasers, supply logistics assistants and labourers.

A large part of the supply logistician's work is to build the capacity of these local staff, as well as to ensure safe and fair working conditions and manage the administration of the department.

Supply logisticians also have frequent interaction with local authorities and organisations and often oversee the implementation of security protocols to ensure the safe movement of cargo into the project. ​

Application guide

Read our guide on the application process for all overseas roles

Role requirements

  • Significant experience in logistics-related roles 
  • Experience in supervising and managing others in a logistics capacity 
  • Experience in supply chain management, e.g. needs assessment, order management, purchasing, stock management and freight management 
  • Experience with organisation and set-up of supply administration and related supply procedures 
  • Warehouse management skills 
  • Familiarity with cold chain maintenance and procedures
  • Available for a minimum of nine months
  • A minimum of B1 level in French (according to CEFR)
  • Minimum of three months’ work, volunteering or travel experience in low-income countries
  • Willingness to work in unstable areas
  • Adaptable and able to work in a multicultural team
  • Able to provide training and supervision to others
  • Fluency in English 

Languages​

We're currently looking for logisticians with a minimum of B1 level in French (according to CEFR)

If you can also speak Arabic you're much more likely to be accepted onto our register.

Your language level may be tested during the recruitment process.

Dr. Rebwar Mustafa at his desk in the health clinic in the Harmanli Camp. 

Over the past seven months, teams from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) have provided medical and psychological healthcare, distributed essential aid and made improvements to buildings and facilities in three reception centres for asylum seekers in Bulgaria. 

The centres were MSF worked, in Harmanli and in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, are currently home to more than 1,500 refugees, many of whom have fled war-torn Syria, making a long, often dangerous journey to Europe in search of safety and protection. 

MSF started working in Bulgaria last November, after finding appalling conditions that included lack of food, shelter, medical or psychological care. Despite the winter, people were sleeping in unheated tents, and up to fifty people were sharing one toilet. 

Now that the authorities have had the chance to expand their capacity and conditions have improved, MSF is handing over the provision of medical and psychological healthcare services to the Bulgarian government and to other humanitarian organisations.

In their own words

Get first-hand accounts from MSF logisticians on our blog site.

Before you apply

Make sure you read our application process guide for an overview of what to expect when you apply for an overseas role with the UK.

We take your safety, security and wellbeing seriously. Please watch these videos before you decide whether or not to apply for this job.

Apply to be a supply logistician

Please only apply if you meet all of the requirements below. 

1/9

I have read and understood the role description, and feel I can fulfil this role

2/9

I have spent at least three months travelling or working in low- and/or middle-income countries

3/9

The UK is my place of residence and I have the right to live and work in the UK

4/9

I have a valid passport

5/9

I have managed a team of people

6/9

I am available for a minimum of nine to 12 months

7/9

I have technical skills in mechanics, electricity, construction, communications equipment and/or biomedical equipment

8/9

I have experience in supply chain management

9/9

I have experience in managing budgets and expenditure and HR management including recruitment and payroll