East Timor: Food Supply, Warehousing, and Distribution for UN Peacekeeping Force

Alistair spearheaded the competitive tendering team, taking charge of contract mobilization and operational support for the UN Peacekeeping force comprising over 8000 troops entrusted with the task of establishing stability and tranquility in East Timor. Employing a comprehensive grassroots approach spanning Europe and Northern Australia, Alistair adeptly identified and recruited managerial personnel and staff from 23 diverse nations. Over a span of two years, he orchestrated the establishment of an intricate warehouse and logistics infrastructure encompassing sea, land, and air channels. This extensive endeavor aimed to facilitate the sourcing, shipping, unloading, storage, handling, and distribution of a wide array of food supplies (including dry, fresh, and frozen goods) to eight remote and formidable locations within East Timor.

Alistair adeptly orchestrated multiple container shipments on a monthly basis, meticulously curated from an extensive array of international sources and suppliers, all conforming rigorously to UN specifications and standards.

His responsibilities extended to meticulously assessing the project’s contractual prerequisites, devising comprehensive cost analyses, formulating a compelling proposal, managing the contractual obligations, and seamlessly coordinating the logistics mobilization effort spanning the entirety of the country. Notably, the peacekeeping forces were strategically positioned across eight geographically distant and often challenging locales, where treacherous road conditions rendered some areas accessible solely by air or sea.

This contract necessitated an intricate web of activities, including the worldwide procurement of both international and local supplies, the consistent shipping of ten, 20 and 40-foot containers filled with dry and frozen provisions each month, the refurbishment and construction of warehouse facilities and temporary support structures, the acquisition and operation of ten robust 4×4 heavy all-terrain vehicles, the coordination of helicopter and marine barge charters, and the seamless mobilization of a dedicated 30-person team equipped to promptly establish and sustain the project’s operations and maintenance.

Given East Timor’s inherent inability to sustainably provide perishable produce or essential dry goods to cater to the demands of the substantial personnel, the mission necessitated a strategic global sourcing approach, predominantly concentrated in Northern Europe and Australasia, among other regions. Alistair deftly navigated the complexities associated with the lengthy and intricate shipping routes, concurrently managing the intricate demands of warehousing, while also expertly orchestrating the recruitment, mobilization, and training of a highly proficient team, all culminating in the successful fulfillment of the contractual obligations.