The modules for the Humanitarian Essentials Logistics Module (HELM) were developed following feedback from major humanitarian aid agencies on the need for short face to face events to allow staff to gain a wider understanding of the world of Humanitarian supply chain and logistics.

The HELM events serve as a development programme covering the essential functions and roles within humanitarian logistics and the supply chain. Attendance at the events is open to those who are looking at developing new skills, refreshing their professional knowledge and expanding their supply chain and logistics knowledge.

The HELM modules are a standalone programme with over 500 people having attended in the first 3 years. The HELM modules can be used either as an introduction or supplement to the learning on Fritz-CILT Humanitarian Logistics Certification Programmes.

Since their introduction in 2015, HELM has been delivered in Kenya, Liberia, Turkey, Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo and Haiti. We continue to explore new locations for open events and requests for organisations for dedicated sessions. There are no entry requirements for participating in a HELM Event – the course is open to anyone either working in, or with an interest in, humanitarian logistics. Students don’t need to be currently working for a humanitarian organisation.

There are a total of 6 modules available to study, as well as the HELM Advanced Supply Chain Manager. The modules are designed to guide students around the basic requirements in each area, in the context of the humanitarian supply chain. If your organisation has specific learning requirements the HELM 1 and 2 content can be tailored and delivered to meet your organisations’ needs.

The suite consists of the following programmes below.

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Programmes

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HELM 1

For front-line logisticians, the essential understanding of Supply Chain operations, Warehousing, Inventory Control, Transport Operations and Fleet Management.

HELM 2

For front-line logisticians, the essential understanding of Procurement, Medical Logistics, Management and Leadership.

ADVANCED HELM

For more experienced logisticians, the programme covers Supply Chain Management through different phases of humanitarian relief, Stock Pre-Positioning, Team Management and Cash Transfer Programmes.

HELM 1

This is a four-day classroom based programme that will cover:

Supply Chain

What is Supply Chain Management, The Role of the Humanitarian Supply Chain Manager, How the Supply Chain Works and Improving the Supply Chain.

Warehousing & Inventory

The Function of the Warehouse, Layout of the Warehouse, Stock Control and Health and Safety in the Warehouse.

Transport & Fleet Management

The Role of Transport in the Supply Chain, Modes of Transport, Third Parties involved with Transport and Handling Requirements for Goods Movement.

HELM 2

This is a four-day classroom based programme that will cover:

Procurement

The Role of Procurement in the Supply Chain, Procurement Objectives, Determining the Specification Types and The Supplier Market.

Medical Supply Chain

Analysis of the Medical Logistics Operation, Medical Supply Chains, Storage Requirements, Procedures and Processes and Quality Assurance.

Management (Leaders vs Managers)

Managing a Humanitarian Logistics Team, Developing Personal Skills to Become a Leader, Organisational Skills and The Attributes of a Leader.

Advanced HELM

This is a four-day classroom based programme that will cover:

Supply Chain Management

Assessing the programme requirements and understanding the global supply chain and programme strategies. Ensuring we plan supply chain behaviour to follow any rules contained in organisation policies and standards. Understanding the supply chain network, planning the types of network and levels of resources needed to operate them and identifying the internal and external interfaces which will need to be built to sustain them.

Stock Repositioning

Providing supplies quickly and cost effectively, reducing the lead time to respond to emergencies, identifying critical material to be held in “stock” at strategic locations. Pre-Positioning models such as Framework agreements, Supplier stock, Government stocks, Organisation stock, Local agreements and Strategic pre-positioning networks.

Phases of Humanitarian Response

Disaster Risk Reduction, Disaster Preparedness, Emergency Relief, Reconstruction and Development.

Team Management & HR

Administer and coordinate groups of individuals to perform tasks, communication, objective setting and performance appraisals, guidance, instruction, direction and leadership.

Cash Transfer Programming

The world of humanitarian aid is changing and organisations are now recognising the importance of Cash Transfer Programming (CTP) in place of direct-aid to meet beneficiaries’ needs. This approach requires different expertise, skills, and resources, particularly the importance of the Supply Chain team in establishing that the right circumstances exist to effectively establish a CTP. Areas covered include – Supply Chain Assessments, Analyses, Preparedness, Retail Market Assessment, Procurement, Risk Identification, Monitoring the programme and suppliers.

Upcoming HELM Events

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Due to the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, all events listed below are subject to change and may be postponed or cancelled depending on medical advice. We will post details of changes to the schedule below and on our social media accounts.

7th-16th September 2021
***NEW LOCATION ADDED*** Kathmandu, Nepal: HELM 1 & 2 Diploma – Supply Chain, Warehousing & Inventory, Fleet Management & Transport, Procurement, Medical Logistics and Management & Leadership

12th-15th October 2021
Nairobi, Kenya: HELM 1 – Supply Chain, Warehousing & Inventory, Fleet Management & Transport

18th-21st October 2021
Nairobi, Kenya: HELM 2 – Procurement, Medical Logistics, Management & Leadership

16th-19th November 2021
Bo, Sierra Leone: HELM 1 – Supply Chain, Warehousing & Inventory, Fleet Management & Transport

22nd-25th November 2021
Bo, Sierra Leone: HELM 2 – Procurement, Medical Logistics, Management & Leadership

6th-10th December 2021
Nairobi, Kenya: ***NEW EVENT ADDED*** HELM 4 – Medical Logistics Diploma: Procurement, Cold Chain Management, Warehousing & Inventory, Distribution and Disposal

Course Fee & Registration

For details of the current course fees and payment options, or to register your interest in attending a HELM event, please press the button below button:

HELM ENQUIRY LINK

Testimonial

”HELM really reflects the best practice based on humanitarian context and sphere project minimum standard, that is why the head of my organisation had to send two of my staff to attended the HELM event in Nairobi last year and he had to authorised the tuition fees to be covered by the organisation the way he did to me when I attended the same event in October this year.
This course has covered all the logistics functions where I have found myself fit in all areas of logistics e.g. warehousing, fleet, transport, supply chain, import/export and procurement, meaning that I can fit in any capacity within those areas mentioned above unlike before enrolled for this course.”

John Gatyiel Chuol
CHL, CHSCM and HELM Graduate

Testimonial

”This course has covered all the logistics functions where I have found myself fit in all areas of logistics e.g. warehousing, fleet, transport, supply chain, import/export and procurement, meaning that I can fit in any capacity within those areas mentioned above unlike before enrolled for this course.”

John Gatyiel Chuol
CHL, CHSCM and HELM Graduate