Logistics NSD/Capacity Building Regional Expert

Working environment

The Middle East region - particularly Lebanon, Syria, and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) - is characterized by overlapping political, economic, and humanitarian crises that continue to disrupt supply chains, market systems, and the overall logistics environment.

In Lebanon, the severe economic collapse since 2019 has critically weakened public infrastructure and supply-chain functionality. Local markets have become increasingly unstable, with suppliers struggling to maintain stock levels and reliable delivery timelines. Lebanon's role as a host country for a large Syrian and Palestinian refugee population further increases logistical demands on already strained systems. The lingering impacts of the 2020 Beirut Port explosion continue to affect warehousing capacity, port operations, and the reliability of import processes.

In Syria, now in its 14th year of conflict, large-scale destruction of infrastructure has left supply chains fragmented and heavily localized. Logistics operations are shaped by shifting lines of control, multiple administrative systems, damaged transport networks, and frequent access constraints. The availability of local suppliers varies greatly between regions, and security conditions often disrupt movement of goods and personnel.

In the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), long-standing conflict and occupation have created a highly restricted logistics environment. In Gaza, recurrent escalations, import restrictions, limited storage facilities, severe restrictions on movement, and chronic shortages of fuel and spare parts have resulted in highly fragile and unpredictable supply lines.

Across all three contexts, the Logistic NSD/Capacity Building Regional Expert will therefore need to understand and support partners to navigate unpredictable operating conditions, significant access constraints, and highly variable infrastructure capacity.

Strengthening the logistics capacity of the 3 Host National Societies - through developing systems, improving procurement and warehousing processes, reinforcing fleet management, enhancing emergency preparedness, and building the skills of logistics personnel - is essential as it will support a more effective delivery of humanitarian programs in these contexts by the RCRC Movement at large.