The posting
Job Description
The Position:
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is undertaking its second General Population and Housing Census (RGPH). Managing the logistics for a digital census across the DRC—spanning 2.3 million square kilometers and 26 provinces—presents extraordinary operational and supply chain challenges. Hundreds of thousands of items, including mobile devices (tablets), solar chargers, power banks, uniforms, training materials, and IT infrastructure, must be secured, stored, and deployed to thousands of field personnel across urban, riverine, and extremely remote rural areas.
Under the direct supervision of the Census Programme Coordinator and overall guidance of the Census Chief Technical Adviser (CTA), the Logistics Specialist will oversee end-to-end supply chain management, distribution logistics, warehousing, customs clearance, asset tracking, and reverse logistics across all phases of the census (mapping, pilot, and main enumeration).
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff who embody these international norms and standards and will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.
Job Purpose:
The Logistics Specialist provides technical and operational support to the Bureau Central du Recensement (BCR) and the Institut National de la Statistique (INS) to ensure the timely, secure, cost-effective, and fully accountable movement of census equipment, materials, and personnel across the DRC. The incumbent will design, execute, and monitor the census logistics operational plan, while building the capacity of the Bureau Central du Recensement (BCR) and the Institut National de la Statistique (INS) to handle large-scale, tech-driven fieldwork operations.
You would be responsible for:
1. Supply Chain Planning & Distribution Strategy
- Lead the operational development and follow up - in coordination with INS/BCR - of the Census National Logistics Master Plan, including detailed distribution and retrieval schedules for all 26 provinces.
- Standardize transport workflows across complex multimodal transit routes (air, road, river, and foot) to ensure high-value IT equipment reaches remote field hubs safely and on schedule.
- Collaborate with the UNFPA Procurement Unit to establish procurement timelines, packaging standards, and delivery terms (INCOTERMS) for all domestic and international census goods.
2. Custom Clearance, Freight & Inventory Management
- Oversee international shipments, managing customs clearance procedures (exonération/attestation de destination) in coordination with DRC government ministries, port authorities, and airport custom units.
- Design and oversee central (Kinshasa) and regional/provincial warehouse operations, ensuring security, climate control, fire safety, and strict inventory controls for sensitive electronic devices.
- Design and implement in collaboration with INS/BCR a robust electronic inventory tracking system (using barcodes/QR codes) to all goods deployed for the census including the tracking of hardware movements from central receiving down to field supervision areas.
3. Asset Control & Reverse Logistics
- Support INS/BCR to implement strict asset management protocols to secure high-value items, including tens of thousands of mobile CAPI tablets, solar kits, and generators.
- Formulate and execute the Reverse Logistics Strategy to collect, inspect, reconcile, and re-warehouse all non-consumable technology assets and equipment post-enumeration.
- Conduct inventory audits, manage damage and loss reporting mechanisms, and oversee proper decommissioning or re-allocation of materials in accordance with UNFPA and government regulations.
4. Operational Coordination & Field Support
- Coordinate field transport logistics by negotiating agreements and operating frameworks with local transport providers, commercial carriers, UN logistics partners, and government fleets.
- Conduct risk assessments on fragile supply lines, establishing contingency protocols for difficult-to-reach or security-compromised territory.
- Provide real-time logistical support during field mapping, pre-tests, pilot census, and main enumeration to immediately resolve local bottlenecks or hardware shortfalls.
5. Capacity Building & Partner Support
- Provide technical assistance and training to logistics personnel at the INS/BCR and provincial census offices (BPR).
- Train national logistics teams on modern inventory tools, field asset tracking, warehouse safety standards, and fleet management protocols.
Qualifications and Experience:
Education:
Advanced University degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Transport Economics, Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field.
Knowledge and Experience:
- Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in supply chain management, complex field logistics, warehouse management, and freight transportation.
- Direct experience in executing field logistics for large-scale national operations, population censuses, large surveys, or major humanitarian distribution campaigns in developing countries (Sub-Saharan Africa / DRC context highly preferred).
- Hands-on experience with automated inventory management databases and asset-tracking technologies.
- Familiarity with UN system operational policies, customs clearance processes, and multi-agency coordination mechanisms is a strong advantage.
Languages:
Fluency in French and working knowledge of English is required.
Required Competencies:
Values:
- Exemplifying integrity
- Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
- Embracing cultural diversity
- Embracing change
Core Competencies:
- Achieving results
- Being accountable
- Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen
- Thinking analytically and strategically
- Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships
- Communicating for impact
Functional Competencies:
- Logistics & Supply Chain Management
- Asset & Risk Management
- Operational Innovation
Compensation and Benefits:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.
UNFPA Work Environment:
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.
Disclaimer:
Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.
Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.
