Manager Cargo & Scheduling – Re-advertised

About Uganda National Oil Company Limited

Uganda National Oil Company Limited (UNOC) is a limited liability company wholly owned by the Government of Uganda, incorporated on 12 June 2015. UNOC is mandated to handle the Government's commercial interests in the petroleum sector and to ensure the resource is exploited in a sustainable manner. Its functions include managing state participation in petroleum activities, investigating and proposing new upstream, midstream and downstream ventures, and participating in joint ventures on behalf of the State. UNOC operates through two subsidiaries: Uganda Refinery Holding Company Ltd (URHC) which holds up to 40% interest in the refinery to be constructed in Kabaale, Hoima and manages the Kabaale Industrial Park, and National Pipeline Company (U) Ltd (NPC) which holds 15% interest in the 1,443km East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). For this Commercial Department role, UNOC offers exposure to international crude oil marketing, shipping and chartering operations at the centre of Uganda's emerging oil and gas value chain.

Job Details

• Department: Commercial
• Reports To: Head of Crude Oil Marketing and Trading
• Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda (UNOC Head Office, Plot 15 Yusuf Lule Road, P.O. Box 36316, Kampala)
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Number of Vacancies: 1 Vacancy – Re-advertised
• Job Purpose: Overseeing all aspects of crude oil shipping and cargo activities for UNOC, including managing end-to-end supply chain logistics, vessel chartering, operations, claims handling, while ensuring compliance with international maritime regulations.
• Application Method: Apply through the UNOC online recruitment system at https://www.unoc.co.ug/careeropportunities/ . Applicants are required to scan and attach copies of required academic documents only (e.g. Relevant Degree Transcript, Postgraduate Diploma or Masters). Only applications submitted through the UNOC recruitment system shall be considered. Enquiries: recruitment.unoc@unoc.co.ug
• Deadline: Friday 11 September 2026 by 11:59pm EAT
• Employer Note: UNOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not charge any monies at any stage of the recruitment process.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Supply Chain & Logistics Management
  • Oversee the end-to-end physical movement of crude oil, including tanker scheduling, nominations, and lifting coordination to ensure timely and efficient deliveries.
  • Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to align logistics planning with commercial and operational priorities.
  • Monitor inventory levels and transportation timelines to optimize throughput, avoid production deferrals where possible and meet market demand.
• Shipping & Chartering
  • Receive and validate lifting requirements from the Marketing & Trading team, ensuring alignment with contractual entitlements and operational readiness.
  • Prepare and issue Vessel Enquiry Sheets (VES) to a vetted pool of shipbrokers, clearly outlining voyage parameters, cargo specifications, and laycan windows.
  • Conduct thorough market assessments to identify suitable vessels based on freight economics, vessel availability, safety records, and compatibility with loading/discharge terminals.
  • Lead freight negotiations with shipowners or brokers to secure favourable charter party terms and alignment with company risk appetite.
  • Secure internal approvals for vessel selection and chartering decisions in accordance with governance protocols and delegation of authority.
  • Execute charter party agreements (voyage or time charter), ensuring all commercial, legal, and operational terms are clearly defined and enforceable.
  • Ensure vessel compliance with international maritime regulations, terminal vetting requirements, and company HSSEQ standards prior to nomination.
  • Manage any contractual obligations, operational or administrative aspects of any third-party marketing agreements.
  • Coordinate closely with operations and legal teams to ensure smooth transition from chartering to execution, including documentation, insurance, and risk mitigation.
• Operations Oversight
  • Maintain full knowledge of charter party forms, including rider clauses, laycan/laydays, ship's itinerary, last cargoes, load and discharge range, freight and demurrage rate, declarations, and terms, to ensure accurate and efficient voyage execution.
  • Manage communication between charterers and shipowners throughout the voyage to ensure alignment on operational expectations.
  • Plan and coordinate bunkering, appoint port agents, and arrange for disbursement account prefunding to support timely port calls.
  • Ensure vessels arrive on time and are fully prepared for loading and discharge operations at designated terminals.
  • Oversee the loading process to ensure cargo is stowed as agreed, with correct quantity and segregation, and that all documentation is accurate and complete.
  • Ensure the issuance of the Bill of Lading or a valid Letter of Indemnity in accordance with contractual and legal requirements.
  • Provide estimated time of arrival (ETA) updates and movement reports to charterers, internal stakeholders, and relevant authorities.
  • Monitor freight invoicing and ensure timely follow-up on payments and financial reconciliations.
  • Track the performance of time-chartered vessels and manage post-voyage claims, including off-hire, speed and consumption, and deviation claims.
• Claims Management
  • Review and confirm voyage-related costs and disbursements, ensuring accuracy and contractual compliance.
  • Investigate and resolve claims from vessel owners related to demurrage, freight discrepancies, and cargo quality or quantity issues.
  • Maintain detailed records of claims, settlements, and supporting documentation for audit and analysis.
  • Ensure timely closure of voyage accounts and implementation of corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Compliance & Standards
  • Ensure all shipping and cargo operations comply with international maritime laws, local regulations, and HSSEQ standards.
  • Conduct regular audits, inspections, and risk assessments to uphold operational integrity and safety.
  • Stay informed of regulatory changes and proactively implement necessary adjustments to maintain compliance.
• Contract Management
  • Lead the negotiation and administration of shipping-related contracts, including charter parties and service agreements.
  • Ensure all contractual obligations are clearly defined, enforceable, and aligned with company policies.
  • Collaborate with legal and commercial teams to address disputes and ensure timely resolution.
• Operational Efficiency
  • Identify and implement opportunities to reduce logistics costs and improve shipping performance.
  • Benchmark operations against industry best practices and introduce innovations to enhance efficiency.
  • Track and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive continuous improvement.
• Resiliency Planning
  • Develop and maintain contingency plans to address potential disruptions in shipping and cargo operations.
  • Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure business continuity during emergencies or unforeseen events.
  • Regularly review and update resiliency strategies to reflect evolving risks and operational realities.
• Personnel Development
  • Lead recruitment, training, and development of personnel in chartering, operations, and claims functions.
  • Foster a high-performance culture and ensure knowledge transfer across teams.
  • Drive performance management, training, and succession planning, especially with regard to succession of Ugandans into senior roles.
  • Develop local talent and support national capacity-building priorities.
  • Promote a strong culture of compliance, ethics, and transparency.

Qualifications, Skills and Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (Hons) in Maritime Studies, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field (required).
• A Masters degree in Maritime Studies, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field is an added advantage.
• Specialized training in Cargo operations is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant working experience in shipping and cargo operations, at least 4 years of which should be at a supervisory level.
• Experience in leading cross-functional teams is an added advantage.
• In-depth knowledge of international shipping regulations, chartering practices, and logistics management.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing cross-functional teams across chartering, operations, and claims.
• Strong commercial acumen with a deep understanding of global crude oil markets and freight economics.
• Proven ability to negotiate complex contracts and influence key stakeholders in high-stakes environments.
• Expertise in crisis management and operational risk mitigation in international shipping contexts.
• Proficiency in logistics and shipping systems with a data-driven approach to performance optimization.
• Should possess a record of impeccable integrity.

Job Summary

• Job Category: Energy & Mining, Logistics, Management
• Job Type: Full-time
• Deadline of this Job: 11 September 2026 by 11:59pm EAT
• Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda
• Posted: 2 days ago
• No of Jobs: 1