Logistics (OSL) Expert, Gaza

Description of assignment title

Logistics (OSL) expert

Assignment country

State of Palestine

Duty stations

Gaza

Work location

On UN premises

Expected start date

11/01/2026

Duration

6 months
(with possibility of extension)

Sustainable Development Goal

3. Good health and well-being

Host entity

WHO

Modality

Onsite

Type

International

Volunteer category

Expert UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule

Full-time

Number of Assignments

1

Mission and objectives

The WHO Office in the occupied Palestinian territory is the principal technical adviser to the Palestinian Ministry of Health providing advice and support to strengthen health services, ad-dress public health issues and promote research for health. WHO is also lead of the humanitarian Health and Nutrition Cluster, coordinating the assistance provided by international and local partners to the health sector. WHO employs approximately 45 staff at its offices in West Bank and Gaza, including international and local professionals with expertise in medicine, public health nursing and other specialties. As the lead health agency, WHO works with many partners, including United Nations agencies, donors, nongovernmental organizations, universities and the private sector to sup-port the Palestinian Authority to reach their national health development goals and to ensure that efforts of all these organizations are coordinated.

Context

In response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, WHO has significantly scaled up its Operational Support and Logistics (OSL) capacity to ensure the timely entry, receipt, storage and distribution of critical medicines, medical supplies and equipment to health facilities and humanitarian partners. The increasingly complex operating environment requires strong logistics capacity within Gaza to coordinate the collection and reception of incoming humanitarian supplies, manage warehousing and inventory activities, organize transportation and distribution, and maintain accurate documentation and end-to-end visibility of commodities. Working as part of the WHO OSL team in Gaza, the Logistics Officer will support the planning and implementation of day-to-day logistics and supply chain activities, including coordination of supply collections at designated crossing points, warehouse operations, stock movements, transportation and delivery to approved end users. The Officer will work closely with the OSL team in Gaza and Jerusalem, relevant WHO technical teams, health partners, transporters and other operational counterparts to ensure that movements are properly coordinated and documented. The role will contribute to maintaining an efficient, accountable and responsive supply chain within Gaza, ensuring that critical health supplies are received, handled, stored and dispatched in accordance with WHO procedures and operational priorities, while maintaining appropriate documentation, traceability and reporting throughout the process.

Task description

Under the supervision of the OSL Lead/Officer-in-Charge in Gaza and in close coordination with the WHO oPt OSL team, the Logistics Officer will support the planning, coordination and implementation of logistics, supply chain, fleet and engineering activities within Gaza.

Supply Chain and Logistics

• Supply Entry and Collection: Coordinate operational arrangements for the collection and reception of WHO and approved partner health supplies entering Gaza through designated crossing points. Support movement planning, transportation requirements and logistics documentation.
• Warehouse Operations: Support and oversee the receipt, storage, handling, picking, dispatch and physical organization of medicines, medical supplies and equipment in WHO-managed warehouses. Ensure compliance with WHO procedures and good warehousing practices.
• Inventory Management: Maintain accurate visibility of stock levels and movements. Track batch numbers, expiry dates, storage locations, incoming supplies and dispatches. Ensure regular reconciliation of physical stock against inventory records.
• Transportation and Distribution: Plan and coordinate the transportation and delivery of supplies from warehouses and collection points to approved health facilities, partners and other authorized end users.
• Distribution Documentation: Ensure that all movements are supported by appropriate documentation. Maintain waybills, GRNs, delivery notes and proof of delivery. Ensure records are properly maintained for accountability, reporting and audit purposes.
• Cold Chain: Support the handling, storage and transportation of temperature-sensitive commodities. Ensure appropriate cold-chain arrangements and monitoring requirements are maintained.
• Partner Logistics Support: Coordinate approved logistics support to Health Cluster partners and other humanitarian organizations. Support receipt, temporary storage, transportation and handover of partner supplies.

Fleet Management

• Fleet Operations: Support the effective management and utilization of the WHO Gaza vehicle fleet. Ensure vehicles are appropriately assigned and used in accordance with operational priorities and WHO procedures.
• Vehicle Planning and Dispatch: Coordinate with the fleet team on daily and weekly vehicle requirements. Support movement planning, dispatch arrangements and operational priorities. Take into consideration applicable security requirements and clearances.
• Fleet Maintenance: Monitor preventive maintenance, repairs, servicing and vehicle inspections. Ensure fleet roadworthiness, reliability and operational readiness.
• Fleet Performance: Monitor vehicle utilization, mileage, fuel consumption, maintenance costs and other relevant fleet indicators. Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and utilization.
• Driver Coordination: Support the organization and supervision of drivers. Assist with duty planning, vehicle allocation, compliance with driving and safety requirements and documentation.
• Fleet Records: Ensure vehicle records, logbooks, maintenance records, fuel records, accident/incident documentation and other fleet documentation are complete and up to date.
• Safety and Compliance: Work closely with the relevant Security/FSO colleagues. Ensure vehicle movements and fleet operations comply with applicable WHO safety and security requirements.

Engineering and Facilities Support

• Engineering Activities: Coordinate and monitor approved engineering and infrastructure-related activities supporting WHO operations in Gaza. Cover offices, guest houses, warehouses and other WHO-supported facilities.
• Facility Assessments: Support technical assessments of existing or proposed facilities. Identify infrastructure, electrical, water, sanitation, safety, accessibility and operational requirements.
• Maintenance and Repairs: Coordinate and monitor preventive and corrective maintenance activities for WHO facilities and operational infrastructure.
• Contractor Coordination: Follow up with contractors and service providers. Ensure engineering and maintenance works are completed according to approved specifications, timelines and contractual requirements.
• Technical Documentation: Ensure engineering activities are appropriately documented. Maintain assessments, scopes of work, bills of quantities where applicable, completion reports and supporting documentation.
• Infrastructure Improvement: Support the identification and implementation of practical improvements to warehouses, offices and other facilities. Strengthen operational capacity, safety and continuity.
• Utilities and Critical Systems: Monitor operational requirements related to electricity, generators, fuel, water, sanitation and other critical facility systems. Coordinate corrective action when required.

Coordination, Reporting and Accountability

• Supply Chain Visibility: Maintain up-to-date visibility of incoming shipments, collections, warehouse stock, dispatches and pending deliveries. Provide regular operational updates to the OSL Lead.
• Operational Coordination: Liaise with WHO technical teams, warehouse personnel, fleet teams, engineers, transporters, service providers, Health Cluster partners and relevant operational counterparts.
• Service Provider Management: Monitor the operational performance of transporters, contractors and other logistics service providers. Follow up on identified performance issues.
• Emergency Response: Support rapid logistics, fleet and engineering arrangements during emergencies and changes in the operational environment.
• Data and Reporting: Maintain accurate operational records. Contribute to dashboards, situation reports, pipeline reports, fleet reports and other OSL reporting requirements.
• Compliance and Accountability: Ensure activities are implemented in accordance with WHO rules, procedures, internal controls, donor requirements and applicable accountability standards.
• Losses, Damages and Incidents: Ensure losses, damages, discrepancies, vehicle incidents and other operational issues are promptly reported, documented and followed up.
• Coordination with Jerusalem OSL: Maintain close coordination with the Jerusalem-based OSL team. Ensure continuity between international supply movements and logistics, fleet and engineering activities within Gaza.
• Team Support: Provide technical guidance and day-to-day support to logistics, warehouse, fleet and engineering personnel as required. Contribute to strengthening standardized OSL procedures and ways of working.
• Other Duties: Perform any other OSL-related duties assigned by the OSL Lead in response to evolving humanitarian and operational requirements.

Eligibility criteria

Age

18 - 80

Required experience

7 years

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience

7 years

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required
Arabic, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level

Bachelor's degree in Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business administration, public administration, logistics, pharmacy, or a related field

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management

Skills and experience

• Strong knowledge of supply chain and regulatory processes
• Experience with approval systems
• Strong coordination and communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Experience in humanitarian logistics or emergency operations
• Experience managing warehouse and inventory systems
• Experience coordinating transport and fleet operations

Area(s) of expertise

Administration, Engineering, construction, Logistics, procurement, commodities

Driving license

Other information

Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.

Living conditions and remarks

An initial 6-month contract will be offered, with possible extensions subject to funding availability, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance. A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of USD 4,429.60 per month is provided to cover housing, utilities, and normal living expenses. In addition, a Danger and Hardship Differential of USD 1,000 per month is provided. Life, health, and permanent disability insurance are included, with health insurance coverage for up to two dependents, as well as an end-of-assignment allowance subject to satisfactory service. Gaza is a highly complex and challenging humanitarian duty station. The security situation remains volatile, with ongoing risks associated with military activity, airstrikes, and other security incidents, as well as significant restrictions on movement and humanitarian access. Personnel must strictly comply with applicable UN/WHO security procedures, movement clearances, and guidance. Access to and from Gaza is highly restricted and may change at short notice depending on the security and political situation. There is no regular commercial air service, and international personnel normally rely on authorized land movements coordinated through the UN system. Movement within Gaza may also be restricted and subject to security coordination. Living conditions are basic and constrained. Accommodation is arranged in accordance with WHO and UN security requirements. Privacy, recreational opportunities, and freedom of movement are limited compared with most duty stations. Public infrastructure has been severely affected by the conflict. Reliable electricity remains limited, with essential services depending heavily on generators and alternative power sources. Water availability and quality are significant concerns, and humanitarian assessments continue to report widespread water insecurity. Food and basic commodities are available to varying degrees; however, availability, variety, and prices may fluctuate considerably due to access restrictions and supply chain disruptions. Gaza's health system continues to operate under significant pressure, with damaged infrastructure, shortages of supplies and equipment, and limited access to specialized medical care. Medical evacuation may be required for conditions that cannot be appropriately managed locally. Telephone and internet services are available but can be intermittent due to infrastructure damage, power shortages, and the security situation. Banking and cash services may also be constrained. Gaza has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and generally mild winters, although living conditions are affected by damaged infrastructure and limited electricity. Gaza is a socially conservative environment. Personnel are expected to demonstrate cultural sensitivity and to dress and behave appropriately. Alcohol consumption is highly restricted, and all personnel must comply with applicable WHO/UN regulations and local requirements. Overall, Gaza represents a unique and demanding humanitarian operation that offers an opportunity to contribute directly to WHO's emergency health response. Working in Gaza requires resilience, sound judgment, cultural awareness, flexibility, teamwork, and a strong commitment to humanitarian principles, while operating under potentially hazardous and rapidly changing conditions.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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