United Nations Joint Logistics Centre for Iraq

In view of the UNJLC’s past role in Iraq as well as the need for optimized and cost-effective common services for UN operations dealing with Iraq in 2004 (both inside the country and regionally), in my capacity as both Special Representative of the Secretary-General ad interim and Humanitarian Coordinator I hereby request, on behalf of the members of the UNCT for Iraq, that the JLC provide the following common services.

Management of timely logistics and other relevant information:

• Monitor and report on the flow of commercial and humanitarian goods into Iraq via seaports, airport and land crossings, and recommend actions to prevent undue congestion and bottle-necks;
• Maintain information on Iraq’s logistics infrastructure, including roads, seaports, airports, and, if necessary, warehouses, in co-ordination with the Humanitarian Information Centre (HIC);
• Maintain information collection and reporting on the oil and fuels sector, vital for humanitarian programmes and reconstruction efforts, specifically the performance of the indigenous refining industry, supply and availability of fuels, imports of fuel products, exports of crude oil, and tracking of retail market prices (indicating shortages) inside Iraq.

This information function would emphasize review, assessment and analysis to enable most effective decision-making.

Logistics services to the UN Community as part of the functions of a (UN or Humanitarian) Joint Operations Centre:

• Facilitating the movement of UN and humanitarian cargo, including storage where required, in co-ordination with other common services (UNHAS) and security personnel;
• Assisting and advising in the clearance and forwarding of UN and humanitarian goods, building on earlier work in establishing Customs agreements with neighbouring countries;
• Assisting in facilitating the supply of fuel for UN common premises and activities (including light vehicles) in Iraq, similar to the service provided in summer 2003;
• Assisting agencies with logistics trouble-shooting through appropriate technical support and advice;
• Liaising and co-coordinating on operational logistics issues with relevant Iraqi Ministries and the Coalition Provisional Authority, including the Baghdad Forum logistics co-ordination centre in the Ministry of Transport;
• Assist in the management of the Operations Centre using UNJLC’s recent experience in Liberia.

Reporting

The reactivated UNJLC would be integrated with the UN co-ordination mechanism for Iraq, and report to the appropriate inter-agency mechanism or person tasked with directing the common services for the UN Mission in Iraq.

Staffing, Management and Locations

Minimum international staffing would be initially three to four staff, augmented by the existing network of national staff within Iraq, which could later be increased depending on workload and authorization to deploy inside Iraq.

The Unit will be headed and managed by a Senior Logistics Officer, who would also serve as the logistics advisor to the office of UNAMI/SRSG a.i./Humanitarian Coordinator.

Most of the functions described in (2) above may be performed by staff based outside Iraq, with the assistance of experienced national staff already located in Iraq, as has been successfully conducted during the part of 2003 following the general evacuation of international staff from Iraq.

Intensive collaboration with Iraqi authorities will be pursued where possible and relevant.

Locations of staff will be determined based on the requirements of UNAMI and the common services. It is not expected that staff would be located in more than two locations outside Iraq.  International staff at these locations, but not earmarked for entry into Iraq, would be responsible for providing information on the oil and fuels sector, airports, seaports and borders. Website support is expected to be provided from the UNJLC Core Unit in Rome.

Time Frame

The UNJLC mandate would initially cover a period of six months with the potential for extension based on mission requirements.  As per the requirements of the operation, UNJLC may take on additional functions in support of UN Operations.