Shipping Operations Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, established to save lives in emergencies and to use food assistance as a means to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. WFP operates globally, with a mission centered around the belief that food is a fundamental human right and that everyone deserves access to it. The organization is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging candidates from all backgrounds to apply. WFP has received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, highlighting its significant contributions to humanitarian efforts worldwide. The organization fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment, investing in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mentorship programs. WFP operates in numerous countries, employing thousands of individuals dedicated to delivering effective humanitarian assistance to millions of people in need.

Job Overview:
The Shipping Operations Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting shipping projects and activities within the World Food Programme. This position requires specialized expertise and technical support to ensure effective shipment operations. The specialist will be responsible for coordinating shipment monitoring at load and discharge ports, ensuring that corporate systems are updated with shipment progress, and maintaining high-quality information and reporting. The role involves monitoring complex budgets, raising purchase orders, verifying invoices, and conducting research and analysis to produce substantive reports that provide insights and recommendations to Shipping Officers. The specialist will also be involved in designing and maintaining databases and records, ensuring accuracy and accessibility of information for reporting requirements. Additionally, the role includes participating in risk mitigation activities, liaising with suppliers to resolve operational issues, and contributing to negotiations for ocean transportation arrangements. The Shipping Operations Specialist will collaborate with internal counterparts to align procurement activities with wider programs, ensuring effective supply chain arrangements. This position also involves managing a small team, providing guidance and training to ensure objectives are met, and following emergency preparedness practices to support WFP's rapid response to crises.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide specialized expertise, technical support, and advice for shipping projects and activities, ensuring adherence to standard processes and contributing to effective shipment operations.
• Coordinate shipment monitoring at load and discharge ports, ensuring corporate systems are updated with shipment progress and maintaining high-quality information and reporting.
• Monitor complex budgets, raise purchase orders, and verify invoices, updating relevant corporate systems at all stages to support shipment planning and settlement.
• Conduct research and analysis on various data, producing substantive reports with insights and recommendations for Shipping Officers.
• Design, develop, and oversee the maintenance of databases and records, ensuring accuracy and organization of information for reporting requirements.
• Participate in risk mitigation activities, creating and monitoring risk registers, and resolving risk-related issues.
• Act as an escalation point for liaising with suppliers and providing solutions to complex operational issues.
• Contribute to negotiations of ocean transportation arrangements with vessel owners and container shipping lines to ensure cost-effective shipment operations.
• Collaborate with internal counterparts to align procurement activities with wider programs, ensuring effective communication of shipping requirements. 1
• Provide recommendations and analyses for process reviews and improvements in shipping methods and practices. 1
• Manage a small team, providing advice, guidance, and training to ensure objectives are met. 1
• Follow standard emergency preparedness practices to support WFP's rapid response to crises.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced University degree in Transport Economics, Supply Chain, Shipping, Logistics, or a relevant field, or a First University degree with relevant logistics qualifications or additional logistics experience in port, freight forwarding, and shipping operations.
• At least one (1) year of relevant experience with an advanced University Degree, or a University degree (Diploma/Bachelor’s) with a minimum of two (2) or more years of experience in shipping/ocean transport.
• Experience in performance monitoring and analyzing supply chain data related to contracts and shipments, payments, pipeline information, insurance claims, and food stocks, including trend analyses.
• Experience in budget monitoring and reporting, as well as compiling contract documentation.
• Experience in supervising or reviewing the work of staff in lower grades.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an Advanced University degree in Transport Economics, Supply Chain, Shipping, Logistics, or a related field. Alternatively, a First University degree with relevant logistics qualifications or additional logistics experience in port, freight forwarding, and shipping operations is acceptable. This educational background is essential to ensure the candidate has the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the duties of the Shipping Operations Specialist effectively.

Experience:
The position requires at least one (1) year of relevant experience for candidates with an advanced University Degree. For those with a University degree (Diploma/Bachelor’s), a minimum of two (2) or more years of experience in shipping or ocean transport is required. Candidates should have experience in performance monitoring and analyzing supply chain data, budget monitoring, and reporting, as well as experience in compiling contract documentation and supervising staff in lower grades.

Languages:
Fluency (level C) in both English and Somali is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication and collaboration within the organization and with external stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is open exclusively for qualified Somali National candidates. Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply, and WFP offers female-friendly spaces in the workplace. The organization is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. The application process does not require any fees, and candidates are advised to ensure their profiles are accurate and complete before submission. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified, and all employment decisions are based on organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications.