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MSF technical logisticians are the backbone to 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, 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.

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

Logisticians also have frequent interaction with local authorities and organisations and often oversee the implementation of security protocols.

Background

Our technical logisticians come from a range of backgrounds, with skills in electrics, mechanics, construction and plumbing.

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.

In most missions they are in charge of communications equipment and organising transport of staff, supplies and patients.

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.

Training, supervising and managing local logistics staff is a key responsibility. The logistics team may be comprised of a group of labourers, mechanics, radio operators, drivers and other professions.

A large part of the technical logistician's work is to build the capacity of these local staff, as well as ensure safe and fair working conditions and manage administration for the department.


Stories from the field

To read more first-hand stories from logisticians working in the field for MSF, visit our blog.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

Technical logistician

  • 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, Sat-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 provision of internet services

Construction logistician

  • Significant experience in construction related roles 
  • Experience in supervising and managing others in a construction capacity 
  • Experience in building design including planning of financial and human resources 
  • Previous experience in 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 of overseas building projects and experience with negotiating with local authorities is an asset

General

  • Available for a minimum of nine months
  • Minimum of three months’ work, volunteering or travel experience in developing 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

 

Assets

We are currently looking for logisticians with good French and Arabic Skills.

If you speak French or Arabic to a level where you can be placed in a French or Arabic speaking mission such as Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad or Yemen, you are much more likely to be accepted onto the MSF register.

*MSF Ireland can only accept applications for field positions from Irish residents who have a valid permit to work in Ireland. If you do not have this we cannot accept your application

before you apply

Your safety and security 

We take safety and security seriously. This video explains the risks our staff face and the lengths we go to keep them safe.

Please watch this before you decide whether or not to apply for this job.

What's it like working with MSF? 

In most projects you'll be living and working in stressful conditions without many of the things you may take for granted at home.

Please watch this short video and reflect on why you want to work for MSF before starting your application. 

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