Job Description for Local customs and Transportation Expeditor

Position: Local customs and Transportation Expeditor

Supervisor: Supply Chain Manager

Duty station: Bujumbura

BACKGROUND:

Village Health Works (VHW) is a grassroots non-profit organization that promotes social justice by providing quality, compassionate health care in a dignified environment in rural southwestern Burundi, East Africa. VHW provides additional programs in education, food security, and economic livelihoods and is in the midst of several infrastructure projects including a capital campaign for a new hospital.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Village Health Works (VHW) is seeking to hire a Local Customs & Transport Expeditor to streamline customs clearance procedures & compliance and facilitate the flow of materials to and from VHW work sites. The position will be working with the appointed clearing agents to ensure timely customs clearance. Liaising with government agencies specifically the ministries of foreign affairs and health to respectively secure exoneration agreements and import authorizations where applicable.

STREAMLINE CUSTOMS CLEARANCE PROCEDURES AND COMPLIANCE

• On confirmation of international medical Orders (Pharmaceuticals, equipment and supplies/consumables), use the existing template to file a proper import license with the ministry of health via the contracted clearing agent.
• On confirmation of international orders shipping (AWB and BL), file an exoneration request with the ministry of foreign affairs and follow up until an exoneration agreement is granted.
• Ensure a full set of shipping documents (essentially an AWB/BL, commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin where applicable, import authorization and exoneration agreement) is timely handed over to the contracted customs clearing agent.
• Regularly follow up with both the contracted clearing agent and OBR on the status of VHW’s shipments under customs and share the clearing progress with internal key stakeholders.
• Identify and address issues that could potentially slow down and delay the customs clearing process.

MANAGEMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND STOCK IN TRANSIT TO KIGUTU

• Research various transporter options and select the best options based on the VHW’s needs
• Work with transporters to determine a reasonable rate and to coordinate the timing and means of delivery
• Handle any related to transporter service, such as poor vehicle quality or delivery delays
• Liaise with procurement manager/officer, Kigutu based warehouse manager and requesting departments and update on the amount and type of goods/materials scheduled for transportation to site (Kigutu).
• Inspect goods upon delivery to the transit warehouse to ensure that the standards of quality are met and the appropriate quantity has been received
• Keep and maintain the inventory of the in – transit goods/materials accurate and well stored
• Track transported goods/materials from Bujumbura through delivery on site
• Ensure that the appropriate goods/materials are transferred to Kigutu in a timely manner with all proper paperwork filled out.
• Develop budgets for transportation of goods from Bujumbura to Kigutu
• Seek out ways to save money on the procurement of transport service.

REPORTING

• Update in near real time the international shipment dashboard and the construction equipment/materials tracker to reflect reality.
• Share with all stakeholders a Weekly report on the status of goods in transit to Kigutu including those under customs.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• At least a bachelor’s degree in economics or related fields;
• Minimum 5 year experience in Burundi in Customs clearing and road transportation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suites, including Excel, and PowerPoint;
• Understanding of exoneration and import authorization processes in Burundi – NOT negotiable;
• Strong communications skills (in English and French) and ability to professionally communicate in a multicultural environment – NOT negotiable
• Good interpersonal skills for working with various departments as well as government agencies;
• Excellent planning skills, organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Problem-solving skills;
• Able to function with a high level of independence, flexibility, and good humor;

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Applications will be accepted through 1 Sept 2020. Any application submitted after the deadline will NOT be accepted. If you are interested, please send your resume, two references and a cover letter addressed to the Country Director of VHW describing your interest, availability, and relevant past experience to: jobs@villagehealthworks.org  with “Locustransexp” in the subject line. Failure to abide by this requirement will result in your application being rejected.

Note:  Village Health Works does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment.