Epicentre is an organisation created by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in 1986. We conduct field epidemiology, training, and research activities for MSF interventions. Our activities for populations in precarious situations are led from Uganda, Niger, and France, and through the programs of MSF and others. They mainly concern infectious diseases and undernutrition.

The Ugandan Research Center conducts research activities on public health issues relevant to Africa, according to GCPs (Good Clinical Practices) quality standards, in close collaboration with MSF, Mbarara University of Science & Technologies, and other stakeholders in health sector. Current projects, include clinical and vaccinal trials, focus on TB, HIV, central nervous system infections, and yellow fever.

The job purpose

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Epicentre is looking for a Logistics Coordinator to the benefit of the Ugandan Research Center. The main purpose of this position is to provide technical logistics strategies and support to the research center, by ensuring the pertinence and coherence of logistics and supply activities, adequacy of the means provided and the compliance to Epicentre standards, (GCP, GCLP and GPP), protocols and procedures in order to enable the development of the research center.

The Logistics coordinator position is under the hierarchical management of the Resources Manager in Mbarara, and in functional link with the technical logistic Referent in Paris.

What you will bring 

Skills to perform your main activities:

Technical skills: with distance-support from Epicentre referent(s), and in close collaboration with the Resources Manager, you will define, implement and monitor logistics activities. You will participate in the development of the research center policy and annual plan, annual budget as well as studies proposals, and studies budget reviews. You will be able to support the activities of the Research Center with the logistics resources, procedures and tools.

In order to facilitate achievement of the research center objectives you’ll be responsible for the maintenance of the following:

-          high technology accredited GCLP laboratory (biosafety 3)

-          deep freezer units of the samples bank

-          the electric back-up for the laboratory and warehouse

In relation to that you will actively participate in:

-          the follow-up of maintenance of the biomedical materials on Memo software with the Quality Manager

-          the organization of transportation of frozen samples abroad with the laboratory team

-          the storage of archives of the studies and the follow-up of their destruction

You will be responsible for implementing and maintaining an appropriate supply chain management of local and international supplies for the studies and the center. It requires to:

-          ensure local supply policy are followed with relevant updated documents (market assessment, suppliers / price lists, quotation analysis)

-          generate and follow the international logistic orders on the portal

-          ensure the stock management in the warehouse with respect to the GCP, GPP.

-          ensure regularly inventories of all supplies

You will be requested to monitor and manage on a day-to-day basis the implementation and follow-up of all logistics families : construction, transport, communications, water and sanitation, vehicles, cold chain, infrastructure, biomedical equipment, etc. Under your monitoring, all technical activities in the Centre shall remain in compliance with Epicentre standards, protocols and procedures.  

You will regularly report to the Resources Manager on the development of the ongoing studies, and on your following responsibilities:

-          vehicles fleet management, renewal and administrative process for registration of vehicles following the government tax payment

-          installation and maintenance of functional office space(s) and lodging facilities, ensuring for the team and visitors an adequate working and living condition

-          provide all logistics support to the outreach medical team as per their study needs.

-          Develop reporting tools for logistic activities.

Team management skills: you will be requested to coordinate transversal logistics specialties, to lead activities with different collaborators and partners, and to integrate into a multi-disciplinary, multi-national and highly motivated team. In order to provide technical support to logistics team through self-knowledge and policies, you will demonstrate willingness to share your expertise.

You will cope with potential security issues and be focused on overall security of the centre in close collaboration with the Resources Manager for risk analysis, investigation, reporting security incidents and update mission security policy when needed.

In the absence of the Resources Manager and at the request of the Director, you are able to oversee security management in the center and perform any other duties that may be delegated by the Resources Manager.

You will manage and organize the logistic team, in close collaboration with the Resources Manager, for the proper application of HR policies and associated processes such as, recruitment, induction, training, coaching, briefing/debriefing, evaluation, staff’s development and internal / external communication.

International context: You have an excellent level of English (oral, written). French is a plus.

Educational & Experience: You have a high-level certification in Engineering or a technical related expertise. As a technician or engineer, you have a substantial previous experience (at least 3 years) in a similar position with MSF or another NGOs in developing countries and/or in a Research Center.

You have a good command of IT software (e.g. Excel, Word, Power Point, Sharepoint etc.).

Transversal technical knowledge is required, and ideally including biomedical.

You are appreciated for your excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

You have proven ability to work in a dynamic and rigorous environment, with skills in teamwork and cooperation, flexibility, stress management, and to have “Results and Quality” orientation, with capacity to operationalize findings.

What you will get 

You will work with a multicultural team in the field of epidemiology research

You will evolve in the humanitarian environment

Your contributions and ideas will be valued and highly appreciated

You will participate in the life of the organization and your missions will evolve as you become involved

Fixed-term contract of 12 months, extensible, with healthcare coverage.

Position to start mid-september / october 2022.

Position based in Mbarara, with travel to Kampala and Paris if needed.

Remuneration according to experience and MSF/Epicentre salary grid.

To apply

Please send your application (CV + cover letter) no later than 08/08/2022.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. In case we have received enough qualified applications, we might unpublished before the 08/08/2022.

At Epicentre, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We welcome applications from candidates regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, beliefs, whether or not they have a disability, and all other diversity characteristics;

Epicentre pays very close attention to the protection of the personal data of its members, staff and people wanting to join the association. The data collected during your application will be processed in a fair and high-quality manner, only by the staff in charge of recruitment, wherever in the world they may be working for an MSF entity.