Operational Logistics Advisor (OLA)

Artsen zonder Grenzen (Médecins Sans Frontières, Nederland); Netherlands; On-site; EUR 48,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 paid vacation days annually

Pension with MSF contributions

8% holiday allowance

Commuting allowance & work from home

Learning and development opportunities

Discounted daily lunch

Diverse, international work culture

Job summary

MSF is seeking an Operational Logistics Advisor based in Amsterdam to support Logistics Coordinators across country programs and align field operations with HQ strategies. You will tailor policies to local contexts, guide field teams, and ensure high standards in logistics, safety, and operations.

The role requires spending significant time in the field, mentoring teams, and collaborating with international partners to drive innovative tools and policies.

Qualifications

• Higher vocational/BSc/MSc in Logistics.
• 5–7 years’ MSF field logistics experience as Logistics Coordinator or Head of Mission.
• In-depth knowledge of logistics domains (technical logistics, supply chain, air operations, WASH).
• Strong data literacy with Excel, GIS and Power BI.
• Excellent English communication; Arabic/French are assets.
• Willing to travel up to 40% of time.

Responsibilities

• Tailor logistics policies to local contexts to ensure responsiveness and efficiency.
• Focal point for Logistics Coordinators in assigned country programs.
• Maintain relationships with country programs and align field ops with HQ.
• Monitor quality of logistics processes and results across programs.
• Represent Operations in the Logistics dept toward Operations and ensure HQ input is aligned.
• Spend significant time in the field and cover LogCo gaps when needed.
• Develop and implement mission-specific logistics strategies and guidance.
• Coach and mentor Logistical Coordinators.

Skills

English communication

Education

Higher vocational/BSc/MSc in Logistics

Tools

Excel

GIS

Power BI

Job description

MSF is an international, independent medical humanitarian organization. We are a non-profit, self-governed worldwide movement of more than 63,000 people.

We provide emergency medical assistance during armed conflict, natural disasters, outbreaks of deadly diseases and assist those who are excluded from healthcare. MSF delivers care based on need and when we see injustice, we speak out. We are an organization that remains impartial, knowledgeable, and effective, and this is what makes the difference between life and death.

People are our priority. At Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)/ Artsen zonder Grenzen, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees.We encourage diverse applicants including individuals of all gender identities, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, social and marital status, people with different abilities and all other diversity characteristics and how they intersect together.

With immediate effect, our Logistics department is looking for an Operational Logistics Advisor (OLA) Based in Amsterdam

You play a pivotal role in managing and supporting Logistics Coordinators across country programs while collaborating with cross-functional teams at the HQ level. As an OLA, your primary focus is providing logistics management to operations and contributing to the organisational emergency response priorities.

This role includes organizing specialized assistance from the Field Support Unit (FSU), adapting policies and procedures to local contexts, and offering guidance to uphold high standards in logistics, safety, and technical operations. You validate HQ trip reports and ensure seamless alignment between field operations and HQ strategies.

In this position, you will develop and implement mission-specific logistics strategies, provide expert advice, and mentor Logistics Coordinators to enhance their capabilities. Collaboration with team members and international partners is essential to align strategies and contribute to the creation of innovative tools and policies. Regular field visits and stepping in to fill gaps for Logistics Coordinators when necessary are integral to your responsibilities.

This dynamic role offers the opportunity to drive impactful logistics solutions, foster global partnerships, and strengthen operational excellence across diverse programs.

As this role is based in Amsterdam, the ideal candidate should either already be based in The Netherlands or willing to re-locate to The Netherlands.

Main responsibilities

• You steer and guide the tailoring of general logistics policies, strategies, procedures, and guidelines to the local situation. You provide advice and ensure the responsiveness, agility, quality, efficiency, and availability of logistics/technical support.

• You are the focal point for Logistics Coordinators in assigned country programs

• You maintain an effective relationship with the country programs you are assigned to, you are aware of the challenges at field operations level, and you organise the support to fulfil those needs. You keep yourself informed about development in the logistics/ technical area, inside and outside MSF.

• You monitor the quality of the logistic processes and results in the country programs and ensure the appropriate level is attained.

• You work closely together with the other OST team members, securing alignment of all actions and keeping an overview.

• You represent Operations/Country Programs in the Logistics department, and Logistics department towards Operations. You assure that HQ input and involvement in field support is well organized, functioning and aligned, and that, consequently, HQ speaks with “one voice”.

• You are expected to spend significant time in the field and replace LogCo’s when required.

Specific tasks

• Vision of Logistics within assigned portfolio of countries regarding operational & technical logistics / supply chain design and strategy, country specific logistics policy framework: validation, development, implementation and compliance in collaboration with CMT and Log dept.

• Oversight and support in management of central stocks.

• Mission specific expert advice including sharing of best practices, including transversal topics e.g., vaccination, shelter and NFI distribution etc.

• Validation/ support in development and implementation of mission-specific policies, logistical strategies/ tactical approaches, support structures and service level definition, in logistics, made specific to the mission

• Coaching and mentoring of Logistical Coordinators.

• Advice to Operations regarding logistics, including proposed course of action in evolving emergency situations.

• Alignment of strategy and services with counterparts in other MSF sections and international aid organizations.

• Contribution to the development and trial of new tools and equipment, operational scenario planning and/or policies.

• Reports and expert advice and enable decision making on Applied Security, Air Operations, Technical Logistics and Supply Chain Operations.

• Validation of all HQ trips reports and recommendations related to the field logistics in assigned portfolio.

• Expert advice and guidance on transversal operational logistics themes and/or topics.

Candidate Profile

• Higher vocational/BSc/MSc in (an area related to) Logistics.

• Current or previous MSF experience of 5-7 years’ - experience as Logistics Coordinator or Head of Mission in the field (>5 assignments in positions like Log Team Leader, Log Manager, Deputy LogCo).

• In-depth knowledge of the domains within logistics (including technical logistics biomedical, IT, construction), supply chain management, air operations, operational logistics, and WASH.

• Strong data literacy skills, including proficiency in tools like Excel, GIS and Power BI is a strong asset.

• Excellent communication skills in English (written and spoken) are essential. Arabic and French language skills are desired.

• You are willing to travel up to 40% of the time for field visits, short-term gap-fills and emergencies.

Competencies

• Results based and uality orientation

• Planning and organizing

• People management and development

• Initiative and innovation

We offer

A full-time appointment (based on a 40-hours workweek) for one year with renewal option based on satisfactory performance appraisal. The preferred start date is 15 May 2026.

A gross monthly salary in scale 16 with a current salary range between € 4,269 - 5,877 gross per month. The exact salary depends on relevant work experience.

Other benefits

• 30 paid vacation days annually, contingent upon full-time employment status.

• A premium free pension where MSF covers 100% of the monthly pension contribution

• 8% holiday allowance, paid out with the salary once a year in May

• Commuting allowance (terms and conditions apply) & work from home allowance

• L&D will support you with a variety of learning and development opportunities with internal and external trainings and courses

• Discounted daily lunch at the office

• An environment that fosters diversity, with colleagues from around the world representing various cultures and background