Technical logistician

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.

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