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Qualifications

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme is to assist countries in preventing, preparing for, detecting, responding to, and recovering from health emergencies. This is achieved through efficient management of resources, technical support, and coordination with stakeholders to enhance health system capacities and save lives through different programmes in country office regarding logistic and operation support.

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

Under the direct supervision of the Incident Manager (IM) and the overall guidance of the and WHO Representative (WR) and the Operation Officer (OO), the OSL Officer working closely with relevant counterparts including WHO, partners, and national personnel, the incumbent will provide support to WHO team on the field and to the Ministry of Health, will collaborates with regional offices, HQ. The incumbent will oversee the planning, implementation, and monitoring of logistics, supply chain, and WASH activities to address emergency and routine health needs.

BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

Madagascar faces recurring public health challenges exacerbated by natural disasters such as cyclones, droughts, and floods. These disasters severely disrupt health services, infrastructure, and supply chains, requiring robust logistics coordination to ensure the timely and effective delivery of essential health interventions. The Great South and South-East regions remain particularly vulnerable due to chronic drought, compounded by malnutrition and poor access to healthcare.
In addition to natural disasters, Madagascar continues to face multiple public health emergencies, including recurrent outbreaks of plague, measles, dengue fever, and malaria—aggravated by climate change and rapid urbanization. The country also remains at high risk for cholera and other diarrheal diseases due to limited access to clean water and sanitation. Madagascar’s fragile health system struggles to manage these recurrent crises, underscoring the critical need for strong coordination, logistics, and supply chain management to support disease surveillance, outbreak response, and emergency preparedness.
The WHO Country Office (WCO), with strong support from global partners, plays a crucial role in strengthening the country’s health system, improving disease surveillance, and implementing large-scale vaccination programs for polio, measles, and other vaccine-preventable diseases. Additionally, efforts to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), such as schistosomiasis and lymphatic filariasis, require coordinated mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns, placing further demands on logistics and supply chain operations.
Given the significant volume and complexity of logistics operations—ranging from the procurement, transportation, and distribution of medical supplies to the management of cold chain systems for vaccines and emergency stockpiles—substantial financial resources are mobilized from global donors, including WHO, Gavi, the Global Fund, and other humanitarian agencies. The efficient use of these funds and the scale of operations necessitate the expertise of a highly skilled logistics professional to support the WHO Country Office.
Under the direct supervision of the WHE Team Lead/ Incident Manager  and the overall guidance of the WHO Representative (WR) and Operations Officer (OO), the OSL Officer plays a vital role in ensuring the effective planning, implementation, and monitoring of logistics, supply chain, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) activities. By working closely with WHO teams, national authorities, and key partners, the OSL Officer contributes to strengthening health system resilience, improving emergency response, and enhancing Madagascar’s capacity to prevent and respond to public health threats.

DELIVERABLES

1. Strategic Leadership
•    Ensure the deployment and implementation of Health Emergency Operations Support and Logistics standards, and best practices including for water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH) and infection prevention control (IPC), Clinical management, Laboratory and Health Facilities operations standards and requirements.
•    Develop and implement logistics and supply chain strategies tailored to Madagascar’s emergency and developmental needs.
•    Lead the design and execution of logistics frameworks, including SOPs, KPIs, and reporting mechanisms to ensure efficient supply chain management.
•    Provide technical guidance to stakeholders on resource allocation, risk mitigation, and supply chain optimization.
2. Supply Chain and Warehouse Management
•    Oversee procurement, transportation, storage, and distribution of medical supplies and equipment.
•    Ensure accurate inventory management, including regular audits and reporting on stock levels, expiry dates, and damaged goods.
•    Monitor warehouse safety and compliance with WHO standards for cold chain and controlled substances.
•    Supervise warehouse teams, ensuring capacity-building initiatives to strengthen their operational efficiency.
3. Emergency Preparedness and Response
•    Conduct rapid assessments of logistics and WASH needs during emergencies and develop actionable response plans.
•    Ensure timely delivery of essential medical supplies and WASH services to affected regions.
•    Support mobile health activities and laboratory operations, including sample transportation and equipment provisioning.
4. Vaccination Supply Coordination
•    Work with WCO immunization program teams and national partners to coordinate the supply of vaccines.
•    Ensure integration of vaccination supply chains with other program activities such as NTDs, HIV, TB, and Polio to optimize resources and coverage.
•    Collaborate with partners to assess cold chain readiness and address gaps in vaccine distribution systems.
5. Capacity Building
•    Support development and implementation of Learning and Capacity Development trainings for WHO and other emergency teams.
•    Train MoH staff and WHO partners on logistics, WASH, and supply chain best practices.
•    Develop local competencies to ensure sustainability of logistics operations.
•    Provide coaching to OSL team members, logistics staff, and the head driver to ensure continuous performance improvement and effective delivery of services.
6. WASH and Health Infrastructure
•    Coordinate the design and rehabilitation of health infrastructure, including WASH facilities and isolation centers.
•    Lead and manage construction projects for healthcare facilities to ensure timely and high-quality delivery.
•    Monitor infection prevention and control (IPC) measures and solid waste management in health facilities.
•    Provide technical support for water quality monitoring, vector control, and hygiene promotion.
7. Partnership and Coordination
•    Collaborate with UN agencies, NGOs, and other partners to ensure synergy and complementarity in logistics and WASH interventions.
•    Represent WHO in coordination meetings, providing technical inputs and updates on logistics operations.
•    Maintain strong relationships with the MoH and other stakeholders to align efforts and share resources.
8. Reporting and Monitoring
•    Prepare technical and financial reports for internal and external stakeholders.
•    Monitor project progress against established indicators and propose corrective actions as needed.
•    Maintain documentation and archives of logistics operations for accountability and knowledge sharing.
9. Additional Responsibilities
•    Support resource mobilization efforts by preparing proposals and participating in fundraising activities.
•    Provide administrative support for budget management and financial tracking.
•    Perform any other related duties as assigned by the Incident Manager or OO.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND LANGUAGES

Educational Qualifications

Essential: A master’s degree, in Public Health, Logistics, Engineering, Pharmacy, Business Administration, Management or other related fields from an accredited/recognized institute.
Desirable: Specialized training in emergency management, WASH, or supply chain management.

Expérience

Essential: At least 7 years of professional experience in logistics and supply chain management, including international exposure in emergency or humanitarian settings.
Desirable: Experience with WHO, UN agencies, or NGOs in health systems strengthening and emergency response.

Knowledge and Skills

Functional knowledge and skills 
•    Demonstrated knowledge of operations and health logistics specialities in emergency context, with proven ability to identify and solve technical problems in difficult circumstances.
•    Expertise in supply chain and warehouse management, WASH, and emergency logistics.
•    Strong analytical and organizational skills, with the ability to multitask and manage priorities.
•    Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including experience in stakeholder engagement and negotiation.
•    Proficiency in project planning, monitoring, and evaluation.
•    Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work and collaborate under pressure.
•    Proven ability to promote cohesive action, teamwork and to convince with tact and diplomacy

Competencies
•    Building and promoting partnerships.
•    Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
•    Ensuring effective use of resources.
•    Producing results
•    Moving forward in a changing environment
•    Communication and Teamwork.

Other Requirements
•    Proficiency in Microsoft Office and logistics management software.
•    Familiarity with WHO rules, procedures, and emergency frameworks.
•    Willingness to travel and work in challenging environments.

Languages and level required

Essential: Excellent (Proficiency) knowledge in English and French

Desirable: Working knowledge of Malagasy or other UN official languages.

Expected duration of contract

3 months with possibility of extension

Additional Information :

•    This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
•    Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
•    A written test may be used as a form of screening.
•    If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
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