Technical logistician
Caption MSF mechanic Peter Deng Chol at work in Doro, South Sudan. © Tom Barnes
Our technical logisticians are the backbone of all our operations.
From conducting exploration missions into new areas with the medical team to setting up temporary tented hospitals and maintaining a fleet of Land Cruiser vehicles, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)'s technical logisticians are the 'behind the scenes' people that ensure everything runs smoothly, no matter what happens.
Responsibilities
Logisticians are usually based in the projects, although there are also capital logistics positions as well. Wherever they are, they keep MSF’s programmes functioning.
Their work varies widely, depending on the mission, and they can find themselves in charge of managing international and national staff accommodation bases, constructing bomb shelters, fixing electrics in the hospital or even training local staff to maintain the vehicle fleet.
Our technical logisticians come from a range of backgrounds, with skills in electrics, mechanics, construction and plumbing.
It's a challenging and rewarding role and you will be responsible for some or all of the following:
Maintenance and renovation of structures, including hospitals, clinics, offices and team accommodation Setting up feeding centres, hospitals, mobile clinics Organising the transport of medications and supplies Ensuring the project’s power supply is reliable Maintaining vehicles and communication systems Managing security in the project when the project coordinator is not around Training, supervising and managing local logistics staff Build local staff capacity and ensuring safe and fair working conditions Managing administration for the department Interacting with local authorities and organisations Overseeing the implementation of security protocols
Construction logisticians
At times MSF recruits specifically for construction logisticians - usually when a new project is being started or an old one rehabilitated or expanded. Construction logisticians may design the structure and will have to prepare all resources required (i.e. labour, budget, materials) as well as supervising the progress of construction work.
Application guide
Read our guide on the application process for all overseas roles
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Role requirements
Technical logistician requirements
Significant experience in logistics related roles Experience in supervising and managing others in a logistics capacity Experience in preventative maintenance of equipment including vehicles, generators and other equipment used in our energy set-ups, biomedical equipment, and communication equipment (e.g. HF, VHF, satellite-phones, V-SAT, mobile phones) Experience in supervising and training staff involved in technical installation and minor repair works of generators, cabling, chargers/inverters as well as vehicle management Experience in recruitment and management of contracted daily labourers Skills in management of IT equipment including the provision of internet services
Construction logistician requirements
Significant experience in construction-related roles Experience in supervising and managing others in a construction capacity Experience in building design including the planning of financial and human resources Previous experience in the analysis of construction plans and resources for the project including labour, equipment, materials, quotes and budget Awareness of water and sanitation issues Good negotiation skills Experience in overseas building projects and experience with negotiating with local authorities is an asset
Requirements for both
Available for a minimum of nine months 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 Flexible and able to manage stress Able to provide training and supervision to others Fluency in English
Languages
We're currently looking for logisticians with good French or Arabic skills.
If you can speak French or Arabic you're much more likely to be accepted onto our register.
Your language level may be tested during the recruitment process.
