PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The National Logistics Officer - Rail Cold Chain Project Manager will report directly to the Head of Supply Chain and the Dodoma Office, based in Dodoma. This role is responsible for the strategic planning, coordination, and execution of the Rail Cold Chain Project (horticulture). The initiative is designed to strengthen the capacity of smallholder horticulture farmers and producers of other perishable goods, including livestock and fisheries, by connecting them to urban markets, processors, and exporters along the central railway line through specialized cold chain transport and logistics services.

The Project Manager will lead stakeholder engagement and foster effective collaboration among WFP, TRC, aggregators, and other partners to establish a sustainable rail-based cold chain system. The objective is to expand farmers’ access to premium markets, minimize post-harvest losses, and enhance regional and international trade connectivity.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority):

• Lead the design, planning, and implementation of the Rail Cold Chain Project, ensuring alignment with WFP’s supply chain strategy and national priorities.
• Develop project work plans, timelines, and performance indicators to monitor progress and outcomes.
• Facilitate strong collaboration between WFP counterparts, internal and external stakeholders, including farmer groups, aggregators, retailer associations, processors, and exporters.
• Establish and maintain strong partnerships to ensure smooth integration of cold chain logistics into the central railway system.
• Oversee the establishment of specialized rail-based cold chain transport and logistics services.
• Ensure infrastructure, equipment, and operational processes meet international standards for perishable goods handling.
• Facilitate collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to build the capacity of smallholder horticulture farmers and producers of perishable livestock and fisheries products, ensuring their competitiveness in premium urban and export markets
• Support training initiatives and knowledge transfer to reduce post-harvest losses and improve product quality.
• Enhance connectivity between rural producers and urban markets, processors, and exporters.
• Promote regional and international trade opportunities through efficient cold chain transport and logistics services.
• Track project performance against agreed objectives, ensuring timely reporting to the Head of Supply Chain and Dodoma Office.
• Identify risks, challenges, and opportunities, and recommend corrective actions to optimize project delivery.
• Drive initiatives that ensure long-term sustainability of the rail cold chain system.
• Explore innovative solutions and technologies to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance resilience.
• Any other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Advanced University degree in Transport and Logistics, Transport Economics, Supply Chain, Logistics, Engineering, Agriculture Economics, Agriculture Business or other related field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in supply chain, logistics, or project management, preferably in agriculture or cold chain systems.
• Proven experience in managing multi-stakeholder projects, including government agencies, private sector, and international organizations.
• Strong knowledge of cold chain logistics, perishable goods handling, and agricultural value chains.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and partnership-building skills.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Leadership & Strategic Thinking: Ability to set direction, inspire collaboration, and drive results.
• Project Management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage complex projects under tight deadlines.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Skilled in building partnerships and fostering collaboration across diverse stakeholders.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Capacity to identify challenges, assess risks, and develop innovative solutions.
• Results Orientation: Commitment to achieving measurable outcomes and delivering impact.
• Adaptability & Resilience: Ability to work effectively in dynamic environments and manage change.

Language:

International Professional: Fluency (level C) in the English language.

• Lead the design, planning, and implementation of the Rail Cold Chain Project, ensuring alignment with WFP’s supply chain strategy and national priorities.
• Develop project work plans, timelines, and performance indicators to monitor progress and outcomes.
• Facilitate strong collaboration between WFP counterparts, internal and external stakeholders, including farmer groups, aggregators, retailer associations, processors, and exporters.
• Establish and maintain strong partnerships to ensure smooth integration of cold chain logistics into the central railway system.
• Oversee the establishment of specialized rail-based cold chain transport and logistics services.
• Ensure infrastructure, equipment, and operational processes meet international standards for perishable goods handling.
• Facilitate collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to build the capacity of smallholder horticulture farmers and producers of perishable livestock and fisheries products, ensuring their competitiveness in premium urban and export markets
• Support training initiatives and knowledge transfer to reduce post-harvest losses and improve product quality.
• Enhance connectivity between rural producers and urban markets, processors, and exporters.
• Promote regional and international trade opportunities through efficient cold chain transport and logistics services.
• Track project performance against agreed objectives, ensuring timely reporting to the Head of Supply Chain and Dodoma Office.
• Identify risks, challenges, and opportunities, and recommend corrective actions to optimize project delivery.
• Drive initiatives that ensure long-term sustainability of the rail cold chain system.
• Explore innovative solutions and technologies to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance resilience.
• Any other duties as assigned.

• Leadership & Strategic Thinking: Ability to set direction, inspire collaboration, and drive results.
• Project Management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage complex projects under tight deadlines.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Skilled in building partnerships and fostering collaboration across diverse stakeholders.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Capacity to identify challenges, assess risks, and develop innovative solutions.
• Results Orientation: Commitment to achieving measurable outcomes and delivering impact.
• Adaptability & Resilience: Ability to work effectively in dynamic environments and manage change.

• Advanced University degree in Transport and Logistics, Transport Economics, Supply Chain, Logistics, Engineering, Agriculture Economics, Agriculture Business or other related field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in supply chain, logistics, or project management, preferably in agriculture or cold chain systems.
• Proven experience in managing multi-stakeholder projects, including government agencies, private sector, and international organizations.
• Strong knowledge of cold chain logistics, perishable goods handling, and agricultural value chains.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and partnership-building skills.
• Fluency (level C) in the English language.