Humanitarian & Disaster Management

Humanitarian Logistics & Supply Chain Basics

The procurement, warehousing and distribution skills that keep a response moving.

3 monthsFoundation levelProgramme fee SLE 2,500 · Registration SLE 100Online · Face-to-face · Blended
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Programme rationale

The procurement, warehousing and distribution skills that keep a response moving. The programme is structured for learners who need practical, assessable capability they can connect to real responsibilities while continuing work or other commitments.

Programme at a glance

Around 12 weeks of guided study, typically two sessions a week plus independent work, so you can keep working while you study.

UnitStudy blockModule
1Weeks 1–2Supply chain roles in emergency response
2Weeks 3–4Procurement processes and documentation
3Weeks 5–6Warehousing, stock control and asset management
4Weeks 7–8Transport, fleet and distribution planning
5Weeks 9–12Accountability, audit trails and reporting

Target audience & entry requirements

Target audience

  • • Humanitarian, development, resilience and community practitioners.
  • • Government, NGO and volunteer personnel whose roles relate to this programme area.
  • • School leavers, graduates and working adults seeking practical professional development.

Entry requirements

  • • Basic literacy and secondary-level education, or relevant practical work experience.
  • • Access to a phone, tablet or computer for online and blended study.
  • • Commitment to attend sessions and submit assignments on time.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the programme, learners should be able to:

  • Run a compliant procurement process
  • Maintain accurate stock and distribution records
  • Plan a distribution with safety and dignity in mind

Detailed modules

Each module below follows this programme’s published syllabus and contributes to the final practical work.

  1. 1

    Supply chain roles in emergency response

    Weeks 1–2

    Build hands-on competence in supply chain roles in emergency response through guided demonstrations, practice files and portfolio work.

    What you cover

    • Core tools and workflow for supply chain roles in emergency response
    • Production standards, file management and responsible use
    • Creating, reviewing and presenting a finished output

    Assessed work: Complete a portfolio-ready output demonstrating supply chain roles in emergency response.

  2. 2

    Procurement processes and documentation

    Weeks 3–4

    Study procurement processes and documentation in the context of humanitarian & Disaster Management, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.

    What you cover

    • Essential concepts and terminology within procurement processes and documentation
    • Methods, tools and professional standards used in practice
    • Application through a relevant case, task or workplace scenario

    Assessed work: Complete a guided case task applying procurement processes and documentation to a realistic setting.

  3. 3

    Warehousing, stock control and asset management

    Weeks 5–6

    Develop practical capability in warehousing, stock control and asset management, linking roles, resources, decisions, accountability and review.

    What you cover

    • Roles, responsibilities and decision points in warehousing, stock control and asset management
    • Planning tools, coordination arrangements and documentation
    • Implementation monitoring, accountability and improvement

    Assessed work: Draft a usable plan, workflow or decision brief for warehousing, stock control and asset management.

  4. 4

    Transport, fleet and distribution planning

    Weeks 7–8

    Develop practical capability in transport, fleet and distribution planning, linking roles, resources, decisions, accountability and review.

    What you cover

    • Roles, responsibilities and decision points in transport, fleet and distribution planning
    • Planning tools, coordination arrangements and documentation
    • Implementation monitoring, accountability and improvement

    Assessed work: Draft a usable plan, workflow or decision brief for transport, fleet and distribution planning.

  5. 5

    Accountability, audit trails and reporting

    Weeks 9–12

    Build hands-on competence in accountability, audit trails and reporting through guided demonstrations, practice files and portfolio work.

    What you cover

    • Core tools and workflow for accountability, audit trails and reporting
    • Production standards, file management and responsible use
    • Creating, reviewing and presenting a finished output

    Assessed work: Complete a portfolio-ready output demonstrating accountability, audit trails and reporting.

Practical project / portfolio

Prepare a full procurement and distribution documentation pack.

Teaching & learning approach

  • Tutor-led explanation and demonstration focused on the published module topics.
  • Guided practice using cases, scenarios, templates or production tasks relevant to the programme.
  • Individual and group feedback that helps learners improve work before final submission.
  • Flexible online, face-to-face or blended participation, with evening and weekend scheduling where available.

Assessment & completion

  • • Short applied tasks linked to the published modules.
  • • Practical component: Prepare a full procurement and distribution documentation pack.
  • • A final assessment or portfolio review covering the full syllabus.
  • • Participation in guided sessions, discussions and group exercises.

Learner support

  • • Session handouts, checklists and templates you keep after the course.
  • • Case material and worked examples based on community and field practice.
  • • Tutor guidance by WhatsApp between sessions.

How this programme is delivered

Online

Guided sessions and assignments you can follow from anywhere with a connection.

Face-to-face

Classroom sessions at our Mile 91 learning centre, including weekend and evening options.

Blended

A mix of online study with periodic in-person workshops, field exercises and simulations.

Career & professional pathways

This programme supports professional development; it does not guarantee employment, promotion or entry to a regulated occupation.

  • Apply the programme’s tools in field, programme, coordination or community-facing responsibilities related to humanitarian & Disaster Management.
  • Use the completed project or portfolio as evidence of applied professional development.
  • Progress to related SLIHSD intermediate or advanced professional learning where available.

Fees & enrolment

  • • Indicative programme fee: SLE 2,500.
  • • One-off indicative registration fee: SLE 100.
  • • Final fees, start date, delivery arrangement and any instalment option are confirmed in writing before commitment.
  • • Submitting an application does not require payment and does not guarantee admission.

Regulatory & recognition notice

SLIHSD is a developing professional learning institution. Accreditation and formal recognition are subject to applicable regulatory approvals. Completion records an SLIHSD professional short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.

Learners who complete all assessments receive an SLIHSD professional certificate of completion. This records completion of an SLIHSD short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.

Ready to start Humanitarian Logistics & Supply Chain Basics?

Applications for the Founding Student Intake 2026 are open. Register your interest and we will guide you to the right programme.

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