Consultant – SOP Working Group (SOPWG)

Job Purpose

In 2020, an inclusive SOP Working Group (SOPWG) was inaugurated with membership consisting of all relevant public and private stakeholders involved in the shipping and clearing of charitable items (humanitarian and non-humanitarian cargo).

 

Over the course of 2 years, extensive information from all stakeholders was obtained via meetings (physical and remote), emails, interviews, workshops, sharing of official government documents, and official inputs identifying bottlenecks and recommendations to create a seamless process were done by all relevant stakeholders.

 

Information obtained from all SOPWG members led to the creation of several things including:

• The mapping of stakeholders involved in the importation and clearing of items in the Federal Republic of Nigeria
• Creation of a compliance clearing flowchart (available on some government and private stakeholders’ websites)
• An extensive compilation of challenges identified in both public and private stakeholders’ processes
• An extensive compilation of recommendations from public and private stakeholders to improve all relevant players in the creation of a seamless shipping and clearing process.

 

The mission of the consultant

In view of the above, the Office of the Deputy President of the Senate accepted the offer of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, in collaboration with OCHA Nigeria, to recruit a consultant to finalize the drafting of the SOPs.

 

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will:

Weeks 1 to 3 of the project:

• Create a project team that will facilitate access and introductions to key stakeholders to obtain the required information and data
• Review existing documentation to document the process to import humanitarian relief items and charitable donations into the Federal Republic of Nigeria
• Propose a structure and content of the SOPs, for approval by the project team
• Identify topics to be addressed in the guide and define the outlines of the SOPs

 

Week 4 of the project

• Clearly outline the stages and categories of goods, required documentations and relevant MDA clearing/certification protocols through interfacing with relevant stakeholders as necessary in the course SOP drafting process

 

Week 5 of the project

• Analyze and assess advantages/disadvantages of prioritizing a process for key lifesaving items

 

Weeks 6 and 7 of the project

• Expatiate and update existing recommendations and incorporate best global practices in the clearing process

Weeks 8 to 10 of the project

• Draft of first SOP with project team for review and further inputs

 

Weeks 11 to 12 of the project

• Share first SOP draft with project team, SOP Working Group and humanitarian actors for review and further input

 

Weeks 13 to 14 of the project

• Make edits if necessary
• Present final draft for adoption to project team, SOP Working Group and humanitarian actors

 

Education

• Master’s degree in Logistics and Supply chain management or similar field is required

 

Experience

• At least five years of experience and knowledge in procedures for emergency management, at entry and exit posts, and at the National and Global level is required
• Field experience in import and export pre-custom clearance processes both at National and Global level is required
• Experience working in a multisectoral coordination role for import and export of Shipping Humanitarian relief goods is required
• Understand the Bureaucratic process of Ministries on IDEC and EDEC is required

 

Knowledge and Skills

 

Knowledge, Skills and Language

• Good knowledge of international instruments and conventions designed to facilitate and speed up the importation and customs clearance of humanitarian aid is required
• Good analytical thinking skills is required
• Skills in developing and facilitating SOPs, Strategic documents and Operational plans on Import and Export procedures is required
• Fluently spoken and written English is required
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic) is preferred

 

General and technical skills

• Have knowledge of procedures for emergency management, at entry and exit posts, and at the national and international level;
• Have participated in activities for the development and implementation of programs for emergency management in developing countries, including in Africa
• Have knowledge of international instruments and conventions designed to facilitate and speed up the importation and customs clearance of humanitarian aid;

 

Competencies and Values

• Communication
• Collaboration and Teamwork
• Judgement and Decision Making
• Customer Relations
• Creativity and Innovation
• Building Trust

 

Comments

• The consultant will be contracted by the IFRC, and the standard contractual terms will apply.
• Agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed at cost in accordance with in the IFRC’s relevant regulations.