Transport Coordinator at Medical Research Council Unit - The Gambia (Internal Recruitment)

Medical Research Council Unit - The Gambia - The MRC Unit at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is one of two research units established in sub- Saharan Africa by the Medical Research Council UK and is the MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM’s single largest investment in medical research in a low and middle-income country. MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM represents a unique concentration of scientific expertise and high-quality research platforms in the West African region.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Transport Coordinator

Location: Fajara, Gambia
Grade: 4

Purpose of the Job

• The post -holder will assist the Head of Transport in the smooth operation of the Transport Office by compiling and maintaining documentation and managing information.
• Ensuring drivers depart on time, processing vital information, issuing journey details and ensuring that all government regulatory fleet requirements are met to ensure the efficient delivery of vehicles to a high standard of service.
• S/he will be a point of reference and will provide advice on all transport costs with regard to vehicle enquiries.
• The post-holder is directly responsible for coordinating transport activities to ensure that transport is available when needed.

Key Responsibilities
Communication:

• Debrief the Drivers on both departure and return from each journey.
• Effectively communicate via telephone and Emails to transport requesters, ensuring incoming calls and Emails are answered and dealt with promptly.
• Maintain contact with Project’s Administrators and provide advice on the availability of suitable vehicles.
• Communicate with Suppliers and Finance on fuel levels.

Team Work:

• Assist the management team to provide a professional service.
• Work well within the transport team function to ensure deadlines are met.
• Work as part of a team, attending team meetings and contributing where appropriate.
• Maintain good customer relations with both internal and external customers, e.g. the Garage, outside service providers.

Administration & Process:

• Management of the daily job allocation for the Unit’s operation.
• Work with the driving team to ensure that excellent service is maintained at all times.
• Update the Transport Database with regular checks to ensure recording systems remain up to date with regards to vehicle locations.
• Ensure that fleet service schedules are maintained and vehicles are made available to the Garage team clean and on time.
• General administrative duties like producing Reports, such as missing fuel, fleet usage and weekly fuel usage
• Support the administration of daily airport pick-up operations
• Conduct annual Performance Appraisal for Personnel under his/her direct supervision.

Decision Making Authority:

• Understand and embrace the concept of ‘empowerment’ and be willing to make decisions without referral that fall within agreed parameters and accountabilities.
• Agree any change to processes that enhances performance.
• Delegated financial authority to spend up to £500.
• Report Writing.

Any other duties:

• To perform any other duties consistent with the remit of the post.

Relationships

• The post-holder will be a full-time member of the MRCG at LSHTM.
• The post-holder will report to Mr. Apollo Twijukye, Head of Transport and Logistics.
• The Unit Director and Theme Leader for the Disease Control & Elimination Theme is Professor Umberto D’Alessandro.
• The Chief Operations Officer is Dr Davis Nwakanma.  

Appraisals:

• Appraisals are held at least annually.

Accountability:

• The post-holder will be accountable to the Head of Transport.

Length of appointment:

• The appointment is up to 31st March 2027 and is subject to a probationary period of six months.

Essential Requirements

• Diploma in Business/Logistics Management and/or relevant transport management experience.
• Mature approach, pragmatic, tenacious with attention to detail.
• Dedicated to getting the job done.
• Assertive, can do, makes things happen attitude.
• Flexible and adaptable to evolving business needs.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Quick thinker – challenge and change process.
• Working knowledge of transport regulations.
• Working geographical knowledge of the country
• Working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, Power point and Outlook.
• Understanding of the financial impact of operational decision.
• Willingness to live and work in Farafenni.
• Ability to speak two local languages.

Desirable:

• Vehicle mechanics qualification.

Application Closing Date
10th February, 2026.