Header

Commodity Operations Manager, ACDI/VOCA Zimbabwe

We are currently seeking a Commodity Operations Manager for an anticipated Title II Development Food Aid Program (DFAP) in Zimbabwe. This multi-year, non-emergency program will be integrated with USAID strategies to address the underlying causes of chronic food insecurity as well as chronic malnutrition, with an integrated nutrition approach. The program development objective is to sustainably increase food security among vulnerable populations in Zimbabwe. The program will focus on increasing household and micro-enterprise productivity and income through market-oriented approaches, improving nutrition among pregnant and lactating women and children under five, and increasing household resilience to shocks.

Duties and Responsibilities: • Oversee program activities related to commodity ocean freight, importation, warehousing, inventory management, transportation, distribution, and monetization sales. Oversee project procurement. • Directly supervise other commodity and logistic staff members. • Ensure the integrity of program systems for commodity control and the reporting of inventory and all commodity losses to HQ commodity management and accounting personnel in accordance with USAID/FFP and ACDI/VOCA requirements. • Establish and maintain positive relationships with USAID/Zimbabwe personnel, Zimbabwean government counterparts, local NGOs, the private sector, and other governmental and non governmental agencies and organizations. • Advise the COP or HQ monetization agent on the Zimbabwean market to generate the maximum possible revenue from the sale of commodities for ACDI/VOCA and any other monetization clients. • Coordinate the overall program strategy for PM2A direct distributions to qualified beneficiaries, in collaboration with the COP/DCOP and subrecipients, including the monitoring of commodity end use by food aid recipients. • Lead the development of information management systems for the registration of direct distribution beneficiaries, verification of qualified beneficiaries at distribution points, and the input of data from distributions into a commodity/beneficiary tracking database. • Coordinate the efficient and timely delivery of commodities to Zimbabwe through communications with the COP/DCOP, HQ, freight forwarder and inland transport agency. Identify and acquire all necessary import documentation. • Develop transport tenders for the in-country movement of commodities, evaluate vendor capabilities and risks for procurement selection, and monitor the vendors contracted. • Observe the delivery of commodities from port to warehouses and final destinations throughout the country, document lapses in commodity control observed and provide recommendations for risk mitigation to the COP and HQ commodity management personnel. • Monitor local markets to assess the production and importation levels of program monetization commodities in order to forecast probable sales prices/cost recovery and ensure sales are according to Government of Zimbabwe policy. Assess the political appropriateness of program monetization in light of the local market environment. • Keep up to date on the national and international market trends of commodities sold by the Title II program, competing brands or commodities, or other commodities proposed for sale under the program, including: o Assist in preparation of Bellmon analyses. o Assist in preparation of market analyses o Obtain price information from countries in the same region, as available. • Ensure appropriateness of monetization methodology for each commodity. Develop protocols as appropriate for both negotiated sales and small lot sales. • In coordination with the COP/DCOP, align monetization activities with the program’s cash needs, including: o Conduct transparent sales in accordance with USAID/FFP regulations; o Negotiate with buyers and prepare sales contracts in coordination with HQ; o Confirm a buyer’s capacity to provide a bank guarantee; o Prepare sales schedules and sales analysis/cash projections; o Prepare commodity pipeline analyses; o Place commodity calls forward; o Secure commodity importation paperwork and GOZ adherence to the Food For Peace Host Country Agreement (FFPHCA). • Supervise the overall management of program vehicle allocation to operational needs, regular maintenance, trip log book and accident reporting procedures, and adherence to the ACDI/VOCA Zimbabwe vehicle policy.


Qualifications • At least 5 years logistics management experience, including warehouse management, preferably with food commodities and grain in particular. • Strong interpersonal skills. • Commodity sales and marketing experience (preferred). • Experience negotiating with host country governments and on goods clearance issues. • At least 3 years overseas experience, preferably in Zimbabwe or Sub Saharan Africa. • Familiarity with food aid programs, particularly USAID Title II programs. • Experience supervising and leading teams, monitoring staff performance. • Systems-oriented ability to design, implement and train. • Budgeting and analytical skills. • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (minimum requirement). • Strong computer skills, must be confident in Microsoft applications, particularly MS Excel; database experience preferred. • Fluency in English required.
How to apply: 
To be considered for this recruitment, please submit a resume to http://acdivoca.maxhire.net/cp/?E5556D361D43515B7E59192F7756186C04627B4D. No phone calls please. Only finalists contacted. Women and minorities encouraged to apply. EOE.