Australian Volunteers for International Development - Inventory Management Advisor - Kupang

Assignment Description

Assignment Code: AV1114ID31

Assignment Title: Inventory Management Advisor 
(APPLICATIONS CLOSE 21 NOV 2014) 

Name of Host Organisation (HO): Yayasan Kopernik

Name of Australian Partner Organisation (APO): 

Assignment Location: Kupang, Indonesia (Remote Location)

Assignment Duration: 7 months

Proposed Start: March 2015

Host Organisation Description:

Yayasan Kopernik is an organisation that balances philanthropic and business approaches to distributing technology to those in need. Their donors’ funds are used to introduce technology and for creating micro-business opportunities in remote communities. The money raised from product sales is reinvested in more technology.

Kopernik partners with trusted local organisations and networks of self-help groups and members to train technology agents, who distribute selected equipment such as water purifiers, stoves and solar lights through their Tech Kiosks. At ‘technology fairs’ they present a range of equipment to communities enabling them to make informed choices about the appropriate technology for them.

Kopernik typically uses a consignment model with local partners that aims to have the community benefit directly from the technology as well as provide opportunities for the community to establish its own business (and income) as one of the future sales agents. This approach results in the development of a distribution network that places life-changing technologies where they are needed most.

Kopernik uses philanthropic funds wisely to create the basic conditions for the market to kick in. These conditions include marketing of the technologies, training of technology agents, initial subsidies if needed and flexible repayment mechanisms to make the products affordable by the poorest segment of society.

Assignment Summary:

The Inventory Management Advisor will work within Kopernik in the newly established Kupang team to build staff capacity in logistics and inventory management for the Tech Kiosk program.

The volunteer will train and support staff to develop and implement a system for inventory management and a simple system to collect actual sales figures. Training manuals, document guidelines and procedures will also be developed. The volunteer will assist staff to create processes and procedures for Tech Kiosk information collection, including a system to collect timely information with training to gather and input data. An incentive system for data collection will also be developed with staff, with the volunteer providing support with implementation.

These objectives will go towards increasing the quality of life for local people by improving income, employment and enterprise opportunities and access to life-changing technologies. 

Assignment Outcomes:

• Improve HO systems and processes to manage sales, inventory, restocking levels, rotating stock and dead inventory
• Develop processes and procedures for Tech Kiosk information collection

Essential Minimum Qualifications:

• Tertiary qualifications in Management, Logistics or a relevant field

Essential Minimum Experience:

• Three years working in a logistics management or inventory management role

Desirables:

• Bahasa Indonesian language skills or a willingness to learn

Description of Assignment Location:
East Nusa Tenggara is the only province in Indonesia where Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion. Kupang’s estimated 2011 population was 349,344 and it is the biggest city and port on the island of Timor. Kupang is a multi-ethnic city of the tribe of Timor, Rote, Sabu, Flores, a small ethnic Chinese and immigrants from Ambon and several other tribes.

Unlike many cities outside Indonesia with this climate, daily temperatures are relatively constant throughout the year and average around 28 degrees Celsius. Kupang is considered a welcoming and friendly city, easy to get around with delicious fresh food, especially fish. Kupang is the gateway to many beautiful and largely untouched destinations such as Komodo Island. There are also beautiful beaches and mountains within easy travelling distance of the city. 

Cultural Tips
• The official language is Bahasa Indonesia, with other regional languages also being spoken. English is the most widely spoken foreign language
• Although the majority of Indonesia is Muslim, the population of East Nusa Tenggara is predominantly Catholic and Christian
• Traffic accidents are the most common risks to volunteers, so the usual precautions should be taken

Information on Accommodation Options:
Assistance with the identification of suitable, secure and affordable accommodation will be provided by the In-Country Management Team and the Host Organisation.
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