Logistics Officer (Corridor Coordination and Network Design, Southern Africa), SC9 - Johannesburg

Supply Chain & Delivery Division (SCD)
Global Corridor Operations Service (GCOS)
Outposted within the ESARO / Southern Africa corridor architecture

The incumbent reports to the Global Corridor Operations Lead  (ESARO/GCO) , under the overall supervision of the Head of Global Corridor Operations  and Logistics (ESARO/GCO).

The Global Corridor Operations Service (GCOS) provides a standardized, end‑to‑end framework for proactive corridor coordination, network design, and performance management across WFP‑managed corridors. Under this model, corridor coordination and network design functions are embedded within Regional Offices and key hubs to ensure proximity to operations, early risk identification, and corridor‑wide alignment.

Southern Africa corridors serve multiple Country Offices with diverse operational profiles, competing access requirements, and shared infrastructure constraints. Effective coordination and network design in this context requires dedicated, regionally‑embedded capacity to engage COs, align planning assumptions, support prioritisation, and ensure corridor‑wide optimisation.

To strengthen this function, WFP seeks a Logistics Officer based in Johannesburg to lead corridor coordination and network design engagement for Southern Africa COs, acting as the primary interface between COs, GCOS, and other regional and global functions. In addition, the incumbent will contribute to and support the wider Global Corridors framework, including surge support, cross‑corridor initiatives, and global network design and performance management activities, as required.

The Logistics Officer – Corridor Coordination and Network Design (Southern Africa) will support the design, coordination, and continuous optimisation of corridor networks serving Southern Africa Country Offices. The position ensures that corridors are managed as integrated networks rather than isolated routes, supports proactive identification of risks and constraints, and facilitates structured, transparent coordination across stakeholders.

• Act as the primary corridor coordination focal point for Southern Africa COs, ensuring regular, structured engagement on corridor access, priorities, capacity constraints, and risks.

• Facilitate corridor‑level coordination mechanisms (e.g. coordination calls, issue tracking, follow‑ups) to align CO plans and manage interdependencies across the network.

• Support the application of agreed prioritisation frameworks and ensure transparency and traceability of coordination outcomes.

• Contribute to corridor network design by analysing entry points, inland routes, cross‑border nodes, and operational configurations serving Southern Africa COs.

• Support evidence‑based decision‑making by producing and maintaining corridor network analyses that assess performance, bottlenecks, structural constraints, and resilience.

• Ensure that corridor design decisions consider end‑to‑end performance, risk exposure, and future demand scenarios, rather than isolated route optimisation.

• Proactively identify operational, capacity, access, and systemic risks affecting Southern Africa corridors.

• Support early escalation of corridor‑wide risks through GCOS governance channels before they impact delivery.

• Track agreed mitigation actions and provide structured updates to GCOT, ESARO, and relevant stakeholders.

• Act as the corridor coordination interface with Planning & Optimisation, Security, VAM, Procurement, and other relevant units to ensure coherent assumptions and aligned planning inputs.

• Support the translation of analytical outputs (e.g. scenarios, forecasts, models) into operationally actionable corridor coordination guidance.

• Contribute to corridor performance visibility products by ensuring accuracy, consistency, and operational relevance of data related to Southern Africa corridors.

• Flag data quality issues affecting corridor analysis or coordination (e.g. incorrect routing, unresolved nodes, misclassified movements) and support corrective actions with COs and system owners.

• Support implementation of GCOS standards, SOPs, and governance frameworks across Southern Africa corridors.

• Contribute to lessons‑learned, best practices, and continuous improvement initiatives related to corridor coordination and network design.

• Support the wider Global Corridor Operations framework by contributing to cross‑regional corridor coordination, network design, and performance management initiatives beyond Southern Africa.

• Provide surge and backstopping support to other regions, as required, in support of corridor setup, issue management, network reviews, or periods of increased operational pressure.

• Contribute technical inputs, analyses, and lessons learned from Southern Africa corridors to inform global GCOS products, standards, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Support the rollout, application, and consistent interpretation of GCOS standards, SOPs, and coordination tools across corridors.

• Regular corridor coordination updates and issue tracking for Southern Africa corridors

• Corridor network analyses and design inputs supporting strategic and operational decisions

• Improved alignment of CO planning assumptions across shared corridors

• Documented risks, mitigation actions, and escalation records

• Inputs to corridor performance dashboards and governance reporting

Advanced university degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Transport Economics, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field. A first university degree with additional relevant experience may be accepted.

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in logistics, supply chain, corridor management, or humanitarian operations.

• Demonstrated experience in multi‑stakeholder coordination across regional or multi‑country contexts.

• Experience with corridor analysis, logistics network design, or performance monitoring is an asset.

Fluency in English (oral and written) is required.

• Strong analytical and systems thinking skills

• Ability to manage complex coordination across multiple Country Offices

• Clear, structured communication and documentation skills

• Ability to operate in politically and operationally sensitive environments

• Strong stakeholder management and facilitation skills