Supply Chain Management Training & Courses - Logistics Learning Alliance

Scott Dubin who works with NGO Mercy Corps has recently completed the CHL and the following comments have been taken from his thee month questionnaire;

“I completed the course while I was working in Darfur with Mercy Corps, and have since finished up my posting there. I’m currently in talks with Mercy Corps to start another logistic position with them in Iraq. I do feel that the completion of the course has allowed me to be seen as someone is who prepared to take on larger and more complex logistic roles.

“Having gone through the course I have gained a better perspective on each of the main areas covered which has allowed me to implement improvements in those elements of my operation in Darfur. When I start working in Iraq, which is a larger operation, I will be able to not only use the detailed knowledge that I gained, but also the ability to manage a larger scale operation since it was the scenario used in the case throughout the program.

“I feel that the largest difference is that I’m more systematic in my approach to the different elements that make up logistics in a humanitarian operation. I can now approach each of these elements with a better perspective and consistent manner.

“I found all aspects of the course relevant. There were some which applied less than others to my previous position, but with each position there will be a different combination of elements which are most relevant. Since the work I will continue doing as I move forward will use each element, I find them all relevant.

Logistics Learning Alliance has recently completed the delivery of two three day basic warehousing courses in Monrovia for the United Nations Mission in Liberia.

The course, aimed at supervisors in the huge Star Base storage facility was needed to re-establish stock control and storage and handling techniques for specific/general inventories.

Star Base is a UN compound that contains six warehouses (stores) stocking food, general commodities, equipment and medical items. Star Base supplies missions and agencies across West Africa with equipment and aid relief goods.

Course tutor, Adrian Leigh found the participants very different from their peers in the UK . He commented “Our involvement delivering qualifications to the humanitarian community put us in a very good position to quickly understand the operation, requirements and the culture of the organisation.

“The participants were introduced to techniques and systems that will instantly improve the operational performance in their individual areas. Group exercises promoted ideas between the various functions and departments formulating in immediate and longer term improvement solutions.”

UNMIL have expressed interest in further training for their personnel and LLA hope to be back in Liberia within the next few months

FRITZ INSTITUTE/CILT(UK) CERTIFICATION IN HUMANITARIAN LOGISTICS - STUDENT OF THE YEAR

Our warmest congratulations are due to Eskalem Bogale, the winner of the first ever Certification in Humanitarian Logistics student of the year award. Eskalem was working for an NGO in Nairobi when he registered on the CHL as part of the pilot programme. After studying for a short while, he carried out a logistics assessment on their operation in Southern Sudan, that his supervisor considered a text book example for future reference.

In September 2006, Eskalem moved to Liberia, where he headed up the logistics operations team for Liberia and surrounding countries – a wide and demanding operation. He was frequently sent on missions lasting 10 days or more but still continued to send in assignments on a regular basis. His work was consistently assessed as being of a high standard, with distinctions being noted on a number of occasions.

Eskalem feels that the CHL is highly relevant to humanitarian supply chain workers and has identified an improvement in the reporting and monitoring practices in his workplace, leading to better management.

Anyone doubting the practical benefit of studying for the Certification in Humanitarian Logistics would do well to pay heed the experience of Tabinda Syed. Tabinda recently completed the qualification and provides an interesting insight into it’s practical value below:

“I am Tabinda Syed, Logistics Officer working in UNICEF Pakistan and based in the earthquake affected area since the third day of the calamity that hit on 8th Oct 2005. I recently completed my Certification in Humanitarian Logistics.

“Official estimates are that over 73000 people lost their lives and people become homeless. The aftershocks continued for almost six months. There was lack of infrastructure and trained staff. The operation started in a flour mill, the walls of which were badly cracked. Worse, it had seven doors making theft very easy. There were no support staff and the labours available at the mill were used to handling only grains. They needed training from stacking to loading trucks and the only option was to give on job training due to lack of time. Lack of sleep and severe weather conditions made it more challenging to keep the flow of life saving supplies. There was no access to the affected areas by road and we had to rely on air transport.

“With the arrival of our first rubhall we were able to shift to a premises shared with WFP. From there onwards things started improving and with in a month a fully functional logistics base was established. More then $14 million worth of supplies were distributed in the first phase of emergency in two districts alone. During the later phase we were able to handle supplies worth around $20 million.

“The Certification in Humanitarian Logistics course started in February 2006 in the midst of the massive supply chain response. I remember that when I first started responding on tasks I would always look around to see how things were happening in reality. Most of the tasks were routine jobs for us but by going through the reading material it helped to understand the broader picture and to link the intricate parts. My work coincided with the units in a perfect way. For instance during the warehousing unit I was involved in setting up a warehouse in Mansehra District and then later we had to move the entire setup to another neighboring district for operational requirements. I remember that one of the tasks was to move Jumna warehouse to Dhetra due to the hurricane emergency and it practically helped me to consider all aspects while moving my own warehouse. Sometimes I had to wake up at four in the morning to finish a task and it will give me a fresh start for applying my newly acquired knowledge at work.

“In the later part of 2006 I was asked to assist in the flood emergency in the North Eastern Province of Kenya which helped broaden my vision of supply chain management. I was able to successfully implement all bench marks in relatively short time. I was doing the transport unit at that time and had to manage distribution using air and road transport. For a while I had to look after the regional logistics operation of East Africa. I guess the encouraging feedback from my tutors gave me the courage to take this huge challenge.

“The course not only complemented my work but those working in my team. The new things learned were shared and practically applied. One of my Logistics Assistants is now doing the same course and had the opportunity to assist in Gizo Island affected by tsunami. I had the opportunity to develop capacity of local NGOs and government counterparts engaged in logistics operations by rendering trainings. Recently I am asked to extend the services to Myanmar office and to train the local staff in supply chain management.

“The course not only gave us the confidence to do our jobs well and to excel in our careers but also helped to enhance the importance of this profession. I am glad to be part of it who can apply the acquired knowledge in the field.”

CHL STUDENT FINDING NEW SKILLS ACQUIRED INVALUABLE