RedR/IHE is not an operational agency, but recruits on behalf of other humanitarian agencies / organisations. We are currently recruiting an experienced Customs Officer for deployment in Sudan. The customs officer must have at least 7 years previous humanitarian experience, with at least 5 years in a senior role. The customs officer must have excellent reporting skills, as this will be a main task within this role. This is a position that requires a high level of expertise, so please do not send speculative applications. A relevant Masters degree is desirable.
Terms of Reference for Customs Officer Sudan
Profile:
To perform the customs-related tasks during this critical transition period in Sudan, there is a need to augment the agency's offices with a Senior Customs Officer, with previous experience in humanitarian operations in transitional environments, who can address internal and external customs-related matters with relevant Authorities. The services to be performed are essentially a rapid survey of actual and planned Customs procedures in Sudan and neighbouring countries, to assess how they impact on humanitarian traffic destined to Sudan and within the country (north-south traffic and traffic into the Darfur region) and recommend ways of streamlining the procedures to reduce/eliminate unnecessary clearance delays.
The incumbent shall
- have in-depth knowledge of Customs and Immigration systems and practices;
- have excellent English language writing and speaking skills;
- have the ability to work systematically and effectively;
- communicate matters both orally and in writing and
- be able to deal patiently and tactfully with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
Tasks
Based in Nairobi with travel to neighbouring countries and Khartoum, for a three-month period, the incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Chief and be responsible for the following tasks:
1. Establish and maintain contact with officials involved in border control and customs issues, and possibly from the three neighbouring countries Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia;
2. Become familiar with current Sudan Customs legislation and local Customs formalities in the region;
3. Obtain further relevant information on local laws, procedures, forms, costs and hours of operation at points of entry into Sudan;
4. Assess import clearance at borders at the various destinations within Sudan;
5. Provide input into any customs policy discussions with a view to facilitating UN shipments and humanitarian cargoes in accordance with any established OLS/GOS/SPLM coordinating framework;
6. Advise on methods of optimizing the current customs and immigration system as it relates to the Humanitarian Community and to facilitate the smooth flow of humanitarian shipments;
7. Advise on best locations to set up customs facilities at airports in South Sudan;
8. Assess actual and planned Customs practices at all (international) airports relevant to the flow of humanitarian goods to and within Sudan, particularly Lokichoggio, Nairobi, Entebbe, Khartoum and El-Obeid and advise any requisite changes for UN air consignments;
9. Prepare an outline for a proposed customs system in South Sudan to be established and therein putting emphasis on the requirements of the Humanitarian Aid Organisations to be discussed with the SPLMA/A and other actors involved in the setting up of a customs system in South Sudan, thereby providing advise on how to best utilise the existing Sudanese customs legislation and transform to be most suitable in the South Sudanese environment;
10. Prepare a weekly internal progress report, provide input on customs issues, and ensure that the customs page in the agency's Web Site for Sudan is up to date;
11. Provide advise to UN, NGOs and concerned donors on customs matters related to humanitarian shipments to and within Sudan, as required;
12. Become familiar with the current sanctions regime of the USA in respect of Sudan, and advise on any implications for cross-border operations should sanctions be lifted;
13. Investigate, analyze and prepare report(s) and recommendations.
14. Integrate above information into a Customs and Immigration booklet for Sudan.
15. Any other customs-related issues as required.
