Operations Support and Logistics (OSL) Officer

About this opportunity

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

WHO’s work in countries operationalizes the General Programme of Work (GPW14) and the European Programme of Work 2025-2029 (EPW2). GPW14 focuses on accelerating progress toward Health for All by strengthening systems for health, improving access to essential services, advancing preparedness and resilience, and reducing health inequalities. EPW2, endorsed at RC75 following extensive consultation with Member States, reaffirms WHO/Europe’s role in bringing unique value to countries through five core functions:
1. International knowledge hub for health – providing authoritative evidence, norms, policies and best practices from across the Region and globally to inform national public health decision-making.
2. Impartial coordinator for everyone’s health – convening national stakeholders and partners to align strategies and support coherent, multisectoral responses to shared health challenges.
3. Leader in tracking and managing cross-border health threats – supporting surveillance, preparedness, and coordinated action on public health emergencies in line with the Preparedness 2.0 agenda.
4. Driver of health system transformation – advising national authorities on evidence-informed reforms and policies that strengthen health systems and improve performance.
5. Voice for health equity – helping countries identify who is being left behind and integrating equity considerations into health policies and strategies.

In this context, WHO Country Offices enable the translation of global and regional commitments into national action. They support Member States by providing strategic advice, convening dialogue across sectors and partners, connecting national authorities with WHO’s technical expertise, and facilitating the use of evidence and best practices to inform policy.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Provide input to and manage the implementation of the country level OSL strategy, annual workplan, business-continuity arrangements and emergency logistics plans, ensuring alignment with WHO rules, policies, technical standards, programme priorities and available resources.
2. Coordinate supply-chain planning for health commodities, medical equipment and operational supplies, including demand forecasting, supply planning, prioritization, requisition follow-up, shipment tracking and coordination with procurement, finance and technical teams.
3. Oversee importation, customs clearance, reception, transportation, warehousing and distribution, resolving complex constraints and holding freight forwarders, transporters and other service providers accountable for contractual performance and service quality.
4. Ensure effective warehouse and inventory operations, including stock controls, traceability, storage conditions, cold-chain requirements, shelf-life monitoring, physical inventories, loss prevention, incident management and timely disposal of unserviceable or expired items.
5. Coordinate national and subnational distribution plans, including rapid deliveries to priority, hard-to-reach and emergency-affected locations, and support inter-agency convoys and common logistics arrangements where appropriate.
6. Lead emergency logistics readiness and surge capacity through risk-based contingency stocks, framework arrangements, scenario planning, field assessments and rapid identification of logistics capacity, needs, risks and gaps; recommend timely corrective and preparedness measures to management.
7. Liaise with national authorities, UN agencies, the Health and Logistics Clusters, partners and service providers; represent WHO in relevant logistics coordination mechanisms and negotiations within delegated authority.
8. Support the establishment, update and enforcement of OSL standard operating procedures, internal controls, quality-assurance arrangements and risk-mitigation measures. Ensure compliance with WHO requirements, donor conditions, good storage and distribution practices, contractual obligations and audit recommendations, and lead corrective action where gaps are identified.
9. Monitor OSL performance, financial and risk-monitoring mechanisms, including relevant KPIs, dashboards, service-provider performance measures and BMS records; analyze trends and provide evidence-based recommendations to senior management and emergency coordination structures.
10. Supervise and guide OSL personnel as assigned, including workforce planning, delegation, coaching, staff development and performance management promote teamwork, knowledge sharing and compliance with established procedures.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s level) in supply chain management, logistics, business or public administration, engineering, pharmacy, health sciences or another field relevant to the functions of the position from an accredited/recognized institution.
Desirable: An advanced university degree (Master’s level) in one of the above fields. Professional certification in humanitarian logistics, supply-chain management, transport, warehousing Training in information management systems and their application to supply-chain monitoring.

Experience

Essential: At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience, at the national and/or international level, in logistics or supply-chain operations, including experience supporting emergency or humanitarian operations, coordinating multiple supply-chain functions, previous experience in team management

Desirable:

• Experience providing strategic advice to senior management and leading logistics or supply-chain operations across multiple locations in a complex field setting.
• Relevant experience with WHO, the United Nations system, Health or Logistics Cluster partners, a recognized humanitarian organization or an international nongovernmental organization.
• Experience in health logistics, import/export and customs administration, warehouse and inventory management, cold chain, last-mile distribution, emergency preparedness, service-provider or contract management, and performance, financial or risk monitoring.
• Proven experience in managing a team

Functional Skills

• Advanced knowledge of end-to-end supply-chain and logistics management in emergency and humanitarian settings, including strategic planning, forecasting, transport, customs clearance, warehousing, inventory control, cold chain and distribution.
• Strong strategic, analytical, planning and organizational skills, with the ability to translate programme priorities into supply-chain strategies, governance arrangements, SOPs, KPIs and practical risk-based solutions in complex and rapidly changing operating environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a multidisciplinary team, manage resources and performance, establish priorities, make sound decisions under pressure and maintain business continuity in high-risk operations.
• Excellent interpersonal, advisory, coordination and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence decisions, build consensus and engage senior national authorities, UN entities, humanitarian partners and service providers with tact and diplomacy.

Other Skills (e.g. IT)

• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and demonstrated ability to use ERP and supply-chain information systems, including BMS or comparable platforms.
• Advanced skills in database and dashboard use for demand forecasting, shipment tracking, inventory management, distribution monitoring, KPI reporting and data-quality assurance.
• Working knowledge of communications and emergency logistics equipment, including radios and satellite telephones, is desirable.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting & promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Creating an empowering and motivating environment
Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Ukrainian.

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of any other UN language.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 64,825 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

Link to apply: Job Description – Operations Support and Logistics (OSL) Officer (2604566)

How to apply

Link to apply: Job Description – Operations Support and Logistics (OSL) Officer (2604566)

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