Asociado de Cadena de Suministros

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. Established in 1961, WFP operates in over 80 countries, employing thousands of staff members who are committed to the mission of eradicating hunger and improving nutrition. WFP's vision is to create a diverse, committed, skilled, and high-performing workforce that operates in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living by the values of Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion. WFP has been recognized for its efforts, notably receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, and continues to invest in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs. The organization emphasizes the importance of teamwork and collaboration in delivering effective humanitarian assistance to millions of people worldwide.

Job Overview:
The position of Asociado de Cadena de Suministros involves supporting the Supply Chain unit in various operational and administrative capacities. The role is crucial in ensuring that the supply chain processes are executed efficiently and effectively, particularly in the context of humanitarian assistance. The Associate will work under the supervision of the Supply Chain Officer and will be responsible for responding to inquiries and problems with a degree of autonomy, utilizing good judgment in addressing unforeseen issues that may arise daily. The position requires a specialized skill set and knowledge that enables the Associate to adapt and contribute to the development of systems and processes aimed at continuously improving the level of support provided. The Associate will also supervise, provide technical advice, instruct, and coordinate a team of support staff, ensuring that all supply chain activities align with WFP's operational standards and objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The main duties and responsibilities of the Asociado de Cadena de Suministros include: coordinating operational support and administrative services as the Supply Chain representative at assigned field offices, ensuring compliance with standard processes and effective execution of procurement activities; identifying and evaluating new suppliers for purchases, cash transfers, and logistical services, gathering necessary documentation and supporting the submission of shortlists to the Local Procurement Committee; preparing purchase orders, contracts, and supporting documentation, ensuring timely review and approval to expedite the acquisition of goods and services; contributing to negotiations with suppliers in coordination with senior category officers to secure favorable terms and cost efficiencies for WFP; managing and resolving issues related to delivered goods and services, maintaining communication with involved parties to ensure accurate and timely solutions; coordinating food transfer requests and dispatches to implementing partners, following up until final delivery; supervising inventory management processes, including trend analysis, physical reconciliations in warehouses, and ensuring data integrity in systems; supporting training and guidance for suppliers, implementing partners, and sales points in logistics procedures, invoicing, reconciliation, and proper inventory management; monitoring implementing partners and sales points to verify compliance with logistical guidelines, warehouse management, and pricing conditions in line with local market standards; following up on reconciliation processes, invoicing, advances, and payments related to voucher redemption and logistical services; collecting, analyzing, and consolidating information for reports, market studies, value chain analyses, and other inputs to facilitate decision-making within the unit; assisting in the collection and organization of information for logistical diagnostics, including Logistics Capacity Assessments and studies required by headquarters or regional offices; providing technical assistance to field offices on proposal formulation, program costing, transfer modalities, and associated logistical processes; applying emergency preparedness and response practices, contributing to the rapid mobilization of food and resources in critical contexts, and supporting capacity strengthening initiatives for third parties.

Required Qualifications:
The minimum qualifications and experience required for the position include: completion of secondary education; a university degree in industrial engineering, administration, finance, economics, accounting, or related fields; a minimum of six years of progressively responsible experience in administrative areas, including at least three years of experience in local procurement of products, goods, and services, and/or in logistical operations such as transportation, inventory management, and contracting processes; experience in sourcing, managing, and supervising procurement processes and supplier evaluations; experience in budget monitoring and reporting; desirable experience in conducting market studies or macroeconomic research; desirable experience working with humanitarian organizations in supply chain, logistics, or procurement; knowledge of United Nations administrative rules and procedures and SAP management; proficiency in spreadsheet applications (Excel), data analysis, report writing, and indicator analysis.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes the completion of secondary education, with a preference for candidates holding a university degree in relevant fields such as industrial engineering, administration, finance, economics, or accounting. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of supply chain management and procurement processes within the humanitarian context.

Experience:
Candidates should possess a minimum of six years of relevant experience, with a focus on administrative responsibilities that demonstrate progressive responsibility. This experience should include at least three years specifically in local procurement and logistical operations, showcasing the ability to manage and oversee procurement processes effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is required for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization and with local partners. Proficiency in English is highly desirable, as it facilitates communication with international colleagues and stakeholders, enhancing collaboration and operational effectiveness.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is six months, with the possibility of extension based on satisfactory performance and available funding. The contractual modality is a Service Contract (SC) at level SC

• The position is classified as multilocation, with opportunities in various cities including Cali, Cúcuta, Riohacha, Barranquilla, and Pasto. Additionally, the organization is establishing a roster of qualified candidates who may be considered for future opportunities in other locations as operational needs arise. Inclusion in the roster does not guarantee immediate hiring but allows for candidates to be contacted for relevant vacancies that may emerge. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment and encourages applications from diverse backgrounds.