Master of Advanced Studies
in Humanitarian Logistics and Management

Mashlm

Humanitarian Logistics and Management Master of Advanced Studies

Humanitarian Supply chain Management  Humanitarian Supply chain Management  Humanitarian Supply chain Management Humanitarian Supply chain ManagementHumanitarian Supply chain Management

 

The Master of Advanced Studies in Humanitarian Logistics and Management is your complete Swiss MAS program.

MASHLM is a part-time executive master program for humanitarian professionals covering supply chain and logistics management, humanitarian action, strategic management, process and project management, and research methods.

You allocate one year of your time and you earn a Swiss MAS degree. Participants attend 6 blocks in Lugano, Switzerland. Blocks 1-5 are each 1 week. Block 6 is 12 days and includes thesis defense and graduation.

Humanitarian logistics  Management Education

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

Face-to-face instruction

MASHLM courses are interactive. Lectures are complemented by games, simulations, case studies, and group work. Participants actively contribute to classroom discussions, adding their practical know-how to academic theory.

Preparation

Between the study blocks, participants will work individually or in small groups on different projects designed to allow participants to put into practice what they have learned in class.

Exams

Each one-week block is followed by final exams and assignments which participants work on in their own time and deliver online. Exams are administered online using the Moodle e-learning platform.

Humanitarian Logistics Management

Humanitarian Logistics Management

PROGRAM CONTENT

The curriculum is delivered across courses with expert faculty from all over the world.

_____________
Block 1

▼ Introduction to Humanitarian Action

The course aims at familiarizing the master's participants with the environment in which international humanitarian action takes place, as well as with the range of humanitarian institutions and their relations with various categories of stakeholders.

Objectives
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementProvide an overview of the basic concepts of humanitarian action and its relations with international development cooperation, a germane policy instrument;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementPresent and discuss developments and trends in the world society, notably armed violence, and their humanitarian consequences;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementAnalyze the international response to humanitarian crises and the architecture of humanitarian action (overview and typology of actors);
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementFamiliarize the participants with some of the main issues and challenges that presently confront humanitarian action and humanitarian actors.

Topics
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementHumanitarian action;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementThe world under stress;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementGlobal governance and humanitarian actors;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementThe UN response to crises;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementRelations of humanitarian actors with political and military actors;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementFrom emergency to development: Humanitarian action and international development cooperation;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementHumanitarian funding;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Relations of actors among themselves and relations with national/local institutions and the beneficiaries.

Jacques Forster Humanitarian Operations

Jacques Forster
Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies
Switzerland

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▼ Process Management and Lean Six Sigma

Managing and improving processes that create and deliver an organization’s primary products and services is critically important for the long-term survival and success of all organizations. Accordingly, this course will expose you to the principles of Process Management which will help you understand, analyze, improve and manage processes in Humanitarian Logistics. Two major approaches for process improvement emerged separately in the 20th century and have come to be known as “Lean” and “Six Sigma” methodologies. Lean improvements focus on process speed and waste removal, while Six Sigma focuses on the removal of process defects for quality improvements and the reduction of process variability.

At the end of the course, you will earn a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certificate.

Objectives

Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementTo introduce you to the concepts, tools, and techniques of Process Management using Lean Six Sigma that are particularly useful in successfully managing processes commonly encountered in Humanitarian Logistics;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementAdopt the process management viewpoint to understand humanitarian logistics processes and identify their performance measures in terms of cost, quality, speed, service, and flexibility. Define, describe, and utilize concepts fundamental to process analysis;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementAnalyze complex processes using suitable process analysis techniques and make sound recommendations for improving processes;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementDevelop an understanding of the Lean Six Sigma tools and techniques, including the DMAIC methodology.

Topics
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Overview of Lean Six Sigma;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Business Process Management: Process Flow Chart, Cycle Time, Takt Time, Capacity, Little's Law, Economies of Scale, Inventory Management;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Lean Six Sigma Tools and Techniques: SIPOC, Voice of Customer, Process Mapping, Value Analysis, Fishbone Chart, Benchmarking, Poka Yoke, Matching Demand and Supply, Improving Service Quality,  Risk Analysis - FMEA, Prototype and Pilot Testing, Stakeholder Analysis, 5 S Systems, Rapid Improvement Events, Process Control Charts.

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management After successfully completing the course, a certificate for having completed the educational requirements of LSS Green Belt will be awarded. The full-fledged Green Belt certificate will be awarded when the student successfully completes a LSS Green Belt project under the guidance of a faculty instructor.

Uday Apte Humanitarian Management

Uday Apte
Graduate Schoold of Business and Public Policy

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_____________
Block 2

▼ Project Management Principles

The objective of the project management teaching module is to cover the basic principles and advanced methods for managing complex projects. Examples of complex projects in humanitarian logistics are the establishment of logistics infrastructures such as distribution centers in various parts of the world or the implementation of new information technology and communications systems to improve ongoing operations and disaster response.

Objectives
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementThe overall objective of this course is to introduce basic principles, methods, and tools for project management in a realistic context, such that they can be taken back to the workplace to improve your ability to manage complex development projects;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementUnderstand the theory underlying the methods and tools of project management;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementBe able to apply the methods and tools and understand their limitations;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementObtain an appreciation for organizational and human aspects in (1) Project Organizations and (2) Project Manager soft skills and typical profiles.

Topics
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementWork Breakdown Structures (WBS);
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementCritical Path Method (CPM);
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementProgram Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT);
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementWorkflow and Design Structure Matrices (DSM);
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementBudgeting and Earned Value Management;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementProject Risk Management;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementHuman and Organizational Aspects of Project Management;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementPrinciples of Project Management Summary.

Afreen Siddiqi Humanitarian Management

Afreen Siddiqi
MIT

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Olivier Weck Humanitarian Management

Olivier L. de Weck
MIT

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▼ Supply Chain Principles

The course covers the operational and strategic aspects of all the elements or components of the logistics process from a supply chain management perspective.

Objectives
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementIntroduce the building blocks of supply chain management from both practical and analytical perspectives;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementDevelop the basic logistics concepts and frameworks for decision-making in supply chain management settings;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementIt includes an introduction to supply chain management, supply chain elements, supply chain integration and some strategic consideration in supply chain management.

Topics
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementIntroduction and Customer Service;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementSourcing and Contract Management;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementWarehousing and Inventory;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementReverse Logistics and Transportation;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementOperations and Logistics Information Systems;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementLogistics Channels and Network Design;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementAlignment of Supply and Demand and Management Strategies;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementGlobal Logistics and Risk Management.

Gerard de Villiers Humanitarian Logistics

Gerard de Villiers
Arup Consultants

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▼ Transportation Management

Humanitarian logistics require the movement of goods to disaster and crisis regions around the globe, often under time pressure and other challenging conditions including maintaining sustainability standards. The success of these supply chains will depend on transportation choices and the design of its distribution network. This class will look at these choices and practice the design of a humanitarian transportation network to serve typical humanitarian scenarios.

Objectives
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementUnderstand the role of transportation in the humanitarian supply chain including infrastructure, policies, and conditions on the ground

Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementDistinguish between strategic (long-term), tactical (mid-term), and operational (short-term) levels of decision-making in transportation management

Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementEvaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different modes of transportation and various transportation network design options including trade-offs and conflicting objectives

Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementRecognize that transportation must support strategic priorities like cost, responsiveness, access, precision, and environmental sustainability

Topics
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementHumanitarian logistics
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementSustainability 
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementTransportation Networks;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementSupply Chain
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementManagerial best practice

Bublu S. Thakur-Weigold Humanitarian Logistics

Bublu S. Thakur-Weigold

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▼ Procurement

Procurement is a critical and challenging activity in humanitarian logistics and supply management. First, 65 percent of relief operation costs in humanitarian operations are estimated to be related to procurement. Second, procurement requires a systematic approach considering both the short- and long-term impact of purchasing decisions on the affected area. Third, multiple criteria such as cost, quality, delivery time, supplier reliability, or local supply capacity should be considered in procurement decisions. Fourth, new aspects such as digitalisation and environmental sustainability of procurement are also increasingly valued and expected by donors. Therefore, specific skills and capabilities are required from professionals working in the area of procurement in a humanitarian setting. This course intends to provide students the required basic knowledge and capabilities to cope with the competence requirements for procurement experts in humanitarian supply chain.

Objectives

Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementUnderstand the significance and basic concepts in the area of procurement management

Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementKnow the approaches and models, including digitalisation, to support procurement of different types of goods and services

Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementIdentify special characteristics of challenges and risks in procurement in humanitarian logistics, and ways to handle and mitigate them

Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementIntegrate environmental sustainability conditions into the procurement process


Topics

Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementSupply management

Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementHumanitarian logistics

Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementPurchase

Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementCost, quality and delivery time 

Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementSupplier reliability 

Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementLocal supply capacity

Mohammad Moshtari Humanitarian Logistics

Mohammad Moshtari

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_____________
Block 3

▼ Project Strategy & Scenario Planning

This course examines concepts, tools, and a method for conducting scenario analysis, defining strategic project objectives and project strategy, and allocating resources to a portfolio of strategic projects. Historically, smart managers have frequently made wrong assumptions about the future with great certainty.  Scenario planning is a disciplined method for imagining possible futures that is designed to overcome common decision-making errors such as overconfidence and the tendency to look only for confirming evidence of current beliefs.

Once managers have developed a more robust view of the future, they can more effectively define sets of projects to build future organizational competencies.  This course will also examine project objective definition and present heuristics for project strategy and execution in complex and uncertain environments.

Objectives
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Construct scenarios scalable to any organizational need;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Define a strategic project’s objectives and strategy;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Evaluate alternative projects for resource allocation.

Topics
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Focus Question, Time Frame, Hexagons or Affinity Diagram;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Stakeholder list, Stakeholder x Issues Matrix;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Behavior-over-time Chart, Causal-loop Diagram;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Uncertainties, Possible Outcomes, Uncertainty Correlation Matrix;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management 3 ways to construct initial scenarios;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Learning scenarios, researching scenarios;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Early indicators, Scenario Matrix;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Analytical Prioritization Matrix.

Don Greer Humanitarian Management

Don Greer
President,
Greer Black Company

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▼ Surveys: how to collect data with questionnaires and how to assign codes to it

This course aims at providing students with the knowledge of creating questionnaires for structured interviews and how to transfer the responses into a data set that is analyzable with statistical methods. Thus, we will talk about, e.g., filter questions, multiple choice questions, and ranking questions in questionnaires and many other aspects of questionnaires. In a further step, it will be shown, how the responses of the interviewees can be transferred into a meaningful data set. In other words: one has to assign codes to the answers given by the respondents. A lot of work connected to surveys and assigning codes to responses is nowadays taken over by online softwares, like e.g. Qualtrics or Survey Monkey. I will briefly introduce one of these survey softwares. However, since it is absolutely crucial that the students understand how a correct data set is constructed from structured interviews, the course will concentrate on the “do-it-yourself” of data set creation.

Topics
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Questionnaire construction;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementTypes of questions in a questionnaire;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementAssigning codes to answers.
 

Nikolaus Beck Humanitarian Research Theory and Practice

Nikolaus Beck
Università della Svizzera italiana, USI

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▼ Practical Research Methods (Qualitative)

This course explores qualitative research methodology and its application in business and management research. In particular, the purpose of this course is to equip students to critically design, conduct, and evaluate qualitative research projects undertaking case study research and interviews. The course therefore aims to answer the following question – How can the researcher go from the initial research questions to the findings by using case study research and interviews. The course therefore entails traditional meetings involving theoretical lectures and practical exercises. To make sure the students are familiarized with the concrete application of qualitative methods, part of the course would also involve them working on a hypothetical research project (in groups).

Topics
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementQualitative research;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementCase study research;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementQualitative interviews.

Objectives
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementDescribe the common features of case study research and qualitative interviews;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementAcquire knowledge of the research process involved in basic case study research and qualitative interview studies;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementAcquire knowledge of the quality considerations involved in a basic case study research and qualitative interviews;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementAcquire knowledge of the elements involved in a basic case study and qualitative interview study report.

Lakshmi Balachandran Nair Humanitarian Logistics

Lakshmi Balachandran Nair
Utrecht University

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▼ Strategic Planning

Strategy is a loaded concept, which suggests profit maximization, cost-cutting and slick marketing – questions that may seem far from the relevant to non-profit organizations. In this course we draw on the extensive knowledge there is on strategy and strategic analysis, but we put it to use in the context of non-profit organizations. While some of the concepts are readily transferable from a for-profit to a non-profit context, some require more care and afterthought to be translated in a useful manner.

Objectives
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementArticulate and/or critique your organization’s mission, vision, values and strategy (and demonstrated you understand the differences among these terms);

Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementConduct stakeholder analyses for two of those objectives;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementAnalyze your organization’s external environments, including assessing possible consequences of current trends in the environment;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementPerform internal analyses of your organization, focusing on resources and capabilities; and 
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementMade well-reasoned, actionable recommendations, informed by your analyses.

Topics
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementThe strategic plan that matters. “Planning” as orientation and integration. Why the process matters.  Communication iterations and cycles for creating shared understanding;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementMissions, visions, and values. Strategic and financial objectives. Generic strategic approaches to organizational distinction;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementStakeholder analyses. Distinguishing between the donor environment and the beneficiary environment. Managing stakeholders to achieve organizational objectives;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Applying Porter’s Five Forces analysis to the donor environment. Analysis of trends driving change in the operational environment;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Resources and capabilities. Assessing strategically valuable resources. Core and distinctive capabilities;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Comparing the resource view with the vision, mission, objectives, and strategy. Assessing the fit of internal resources with external environments to achieve objectives. Making strategic, actionable recommendations;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Communication pacing. Visual works-in-process. The value of “bad drafts.” Creating action plans based on shared understanding.

Stefan Arora Jonsson Humanitarian Management

Stefan Arora-Jonsson
Università della Svizzera italiana, USI

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_____________
Block 4

▼ Project Development

Social innovations include ideas, concepts, processes and organizations that focus on societal needs. Social entrepreneurship can be understood as the process of identifying and starting a new business venture to address a pressing public and societal need.

This course starts by exposing students to pressing societal needs, then introduces them to the concepts and techniques associated with human-centered design for social innovation. Through a combination of methods, such as ideation and prototyping students learn to design robust ideas for social innovations.

Objectives
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Introduce students to the principles of social innovations;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Adopt a Human Center Design (HCD) approach as a driving force to guide students through the different design process stages, such as discover, ideate and prototype;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Expose students to processes that would allow them to generate robust ideas for social innovations.

Topics
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management HCD approach & Discovery Phase;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Individual Local Challenges;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Ideation Phase;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Innovation Tournaments & Darwinator;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Innovation Tournament and Principles of Idea Screening;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Real-Win-Worth-it (RWW) criteria;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Idea Defense and Recombination;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Introduction to User Journey and Biases (The Fogg’s Principles);
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Build-measure-learn cycle and OODA loops;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management External search;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Prototype phase;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Final pitch.

Paulo Gonçalvez Humanitarian Management

Paulo Gonçalves
Università della Svizzera italiana

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▼ System Dynamics

This course introduces you to system dynamics modeling with an emphasis on supply chain management issues. You will learn to visualize supply chains and other systems in terms of the structures and policies that create dynamics and regulate performance.

Objectives
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Introduce students to the theory and practice of system dynamics;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management To provide a general framework for conceptualizing and understanding dynamics of any system;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management To provide specific insight into the dynamics of supply chains and other structures such as epidemics and work-accomplishment;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management To improve students’ understanding of the ways in which system performance can be improved.

Topics
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management To model is human;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management System Dynamics: A way to model;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Patterns of behavior;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Patterns and Feedback loops;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management ArchetypesStocks and flows;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Supply chains.

Jim Hines Humanitarian Operations System Dynamics

Jin Hines
MIT and Astute System Dynamics

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▼ Managerial Accounting

This course covers both financial and managerial accounting. Financial accounting primarily focuses on providing information to external stakeholders (such as shareholders and debt holders for for-profit firms and donors and stakeholders in non-profit organizations). Managerial accounting primarily focuses on providing information to internal parties, such as managers and executives.

The first part of this course will focus on financial accounting, which is often referred to as the language of business. Students will gain experience with the basic terminology and tools to prepare and read a set of financial statements from both for profit and non-profit providers. Financial accounting is like a language; students become more fluent with practice. The second part of the course explores the use of accounting information for internal planning and decision-making.

Objectives
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management The main objective of the course is to equip you with the knowledge to understand, evaluate, and act upon the financial and non-financial reports used in managing modern firms. The emphasis in this course is very much on interpretation, evaluation, and decision making;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Understand the mechanics of financial accounting;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Acquire the basic language and tools to assess and communicate the impact of logistics on a firm’s financial performance;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Understand the various links between operating variables and financial performance;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Be able to obtain relevant information from financial statements;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Understand the difference between the various types of costs involved when assessing the impact of a decision.

Topics
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Introduction to Financial Reporting and Analysis: how cash accounting works; what is accrual accounting; understanding the Balance Sheet; understanding the Income Statement;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Cash Flow Statement & Analysis: Introduction to the Cash Flow Statement; How does it differ from the Income Statement;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Financial and Inventory Related Ratios;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Working Capital Requirements;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Profit vs Cash Flow. Sustainable Growth;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Financials in the Value Chain;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Introduction to Investment Decisions. Net Present Value;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Decisions at Capacity.

Eric Nowak Humanitarian Management

Eric Nowak
Università della Svizzera italiana

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▼ Statistics

This course aims to familiarize students with statistical theory, tools, and methods required for business systems analysis and improvement, emphasizing their application in real life situations.

Objectives
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Introduce students to the principles of statistics and its applications to common humanitarian contexts;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Gain understanding of concepts in probability and statistics and their applications;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Gain understanding of statistical models and their applications;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Learn to use excel to address applied statistical problems.

Topics
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Descriptive Statistics;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Continuous Distributions;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Sampling Distributions;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Confidence Intervals;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Hypothesis testing;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Significance;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Linear Regression;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Multiple Regression.

 

Jost Reinhold
Università della Svizzera italiana

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_____________
Block 5

▼ Operations and Supply Chain Management

This course is designed to familiarize participants with advanced analytical models that can aid in making distribution and routing decisions such as: Where and when to procure? Where to store? How to transport? We will also focus on modeling and analyzing the trade-offs between cost and speed of delivery and the role of uncertainty.

Objectives
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management To improve the participant's ability to analyze and assess various trade-offs present in managing distribution and routing of supplies and incorporate uncertainty in decision making.

Topics
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Network flows;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Multi-commodity network flows;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Networks over time;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Bottlenecks and trade-offs;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Role of uncertainty and decision trees Routing vehicles.

Julie Swann Humanitarian Logistics and Management

Julie Swann
Co-founder,
Center for Health and Humanitarian Logistics

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▼ Optimization Models

This course aims to familiarize mashlm participants with management science techniques for the analysis and improvement of humanitarian systems. The techniques, including linear and integer programming, and goal programming, will be illustrated through examples and case studies derived from humanitarian applications.

Objectives
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Introduce students to the principles and practices of management science models for the analysis and improvement of humanitarian systems;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management To provide an analytical framework for modeling and improving processes and decisions in humanitarian contexts;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management To convey an intuitive understanding of widely-used analytical techniques and their applications (e.g., Linear and Integer Programming);
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management To provide hands-on experience with implementing models learned in class using excel.

Topics
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Linear Programming (LP) Applications: Budget allocation, scheduling, transportation, production planning, transshipment and general transportation problems, shortest path and max flow;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Integer Programming Applications: Optimizing distribution of food aid with capacity constraints and losses, locating facilities to meet demand of beneficiaries, supply and demand constraints.

Paulo Gonçalvez Humanitarian Management

Paulo Gonçalves
Università della Svizzera italiana

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▼ Crisis Information Management

Information Management is critical to support an evidence-based decision-making process that has the affected population at the forefront.  This fundamental session will explore the main aspects for effective management of information in a humanitarian crisis.

Objectives
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management To explain IM principles applied to the humanitarian environment and coordination structures;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management To explain principles and tools related to the development of an Information Management Strategy;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management To demonstrate practical skills to leverage geographic information with user-friendly, free tools available online;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management To demonstrate abilities to estimate populations through various techniques and to develop a Population Management Strategy;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management To explain concepts of analysis in humanitarian situations and basic principles of visualization of information.

Topics
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Information and Coordination;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Information Management Strategy Development;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Geographic Information;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Population Estimation;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Analysis and Visualization.

Simulation
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management This pertains to Needs Assessment and Crisis Information Management. It is a scenario based practical exercise that will simulate a crisis and will require students to apply concepts and skills learn previously in the course.  

Andrew Alspach Humanitarian Operation

Andrew Alspach
United Nations OCHA

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▼ Needs Assessment

This session will cover the basic components of assessing needs in a humanitarian situation and analytical process to classify the severity of need. 

Objectives
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Students can explain methodologies, processes, and planning related to assessing needs in a crisis environment;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Students can demonstrate the application of methods to assign needs severity to an affected population. 

Topics
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Needs assessment fundamentals;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Analysis of the severity of needs.

Andrew Alspach Humanitarian Operation

Andrew Alspach
United Nations OCHA

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_____________
Block 6

▼ Simulation/Delivery of Humanitarian Assistance

The delivery of humanitarian assistance and, indeed, the significance of the term humanitarianism in today’s political climate, are increasingly under scrutiny. We are witnessing situations such as the Ebola crisis and ongoing conflicts in Syria and the Congo that increasingly challenge the ability of the humanitarian community to be of assistance to those in need. In addition, the increasingly important role of “outside” actors such as the military and the corporate sector, pose significant challenges to what has been long considered the domain of a loosely described humanitarian community.

Questions arise, such as what are the essential differences between humanitarian assistance and the direct provision of relief, or does it even matter? When does humanitarian assistance become part of the conflict, regardless of the intentions of the assistance providers? And finally, how meaningful is the generally accepted distinction between relief and development?

Objectives
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management To provide students with background on the humanitarian system and the tools and approaches required to deal with the changing nature of humanitarian preparedness and response in the field and at headquarters.
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management A major question to be discussed is what is the future of humanitarian assistance? We will examine the concerns generated by the need for organizations to be accountable to a wide constituency, including beneficiaries, donors, the public, and the press.

Topics
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management How does one evaluate donor views on achievable goals as opposed to those of the relief organization field director or the UN official in charge?;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management What are the structural and operational imperatives and obstacles guiding decision making at theheadquarters and field level?;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management What are the links between data and program planning and operations?;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management How do issues of standards and accountability come into play in decision making?;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management The realities of staff training and staff selection;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Coordination as opposed to cooperation—an appraisal;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Civilian and military interaction—the changing relationship;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Political factors in the delivery of assistance.

Roy Williams Humanitarian Operation

Roy Williams
CEO and President,
Center for Humanitarian Operation

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▼ Disaster Risk Reduction

This course aims to introduce and explore key elements of the theory and practice of disaster management, resilience and disaster risk reduction (DRR). With a core focus on vulnerability, participants will apply and critically review emergency-oriented approaches to risk, and compare and contrast these with developmentally-oriented understandings and tools. Models used in practice will be combined with practical tools and approaches including participatory assessment, negotiation, and social media.

Objectives
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Understand the linkages between development and emergency related concepts of risk, hazards, vulnerability, capacity, assets, governance and discrimination;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Critically review different approaches and tools used in practice;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Apply planning and analysis tools and approaches to different situations.

Topics
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Pressure And Release (PAR) model and the cycle of disaster;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Local to global chronic vulnerability;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Disaster simulation;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Relief-recovery lessons - Philippines’ Typhoon Haiyan;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Livelihoods/resilience model as a people-centered approach for linking elements that determine community level risk;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Assessment tools for people-centred programme design - participatory rapid appraisal (PRA) techniques;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain Management Lessons from ALNAP’s 2012 urban disasters lessons paper. Governance, and its central relationship to vulnerability.

David Sanderson Humanitarian Operation

David Sanderson
UNSW Australia

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▼ Innovations in Climate Risk Management

Why do people continue to suffer and die due to entirely predictable natural hazards?  The remarkable progress in science and technology over recent decades allows us to anticipate future conditions, communicate early warnings and take early action to avoid losses, yet many recent disasters are evidence of a dreadful gap between climate science and the humanitarian sector. Combining presentations, participatory simulation games and plenary discussions, this course will familiarize students with recent developments in both climate-related forecasts and decision capacity, which together enable new ways to manage risks associated with extreme events and changing climate conditions. 

Objectives
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementUnderstand the basics of how science, technology, and organizational innovations can help the humanitarian sector understand and address climate-related hazards. Focus on the strengths and limitations of forecasts at different time scales;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementLearn about approaches to work with experts from other disciplines in order to jointly identify the constellation of means, relationships, and processes that can enable forecast-based decisions to save lives and livelihoods. 

Topics
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementNew challenges in humanitarian work;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementTowards forecast-based humanitarian decisions;
Humanitarian Logistics Supply Chain ManagementIntegrating knowledge and action.

Pablo Suarez Humanitarian Operation

Pablo Suarez
Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre

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Tutorials

Organized by PhD students in the Humanitarian Operations Team, two tutorial sessions are scheduled during each MASHLM block. Tutorials give participants the chance to practice what they learned in class, ask for clarification, and review theory in a lab-style atmosphere.

Tutorial sessions also support the thesis process and provide instruction and help for the specific assignments related to the thesis. Thesis tutorial topics include Academic Writing, Article Summaries, Literature Review, and Research Methodologies.

 

Seminars

During each block throughout the year, academics and practitioners from all over the world visit USI to teach intensive courses in the MASHLM program. The Humanitarian Insights seminar series was designed to share the opportunity to interact with our visitors with our colleagues, our friends, and the community.

Seminar topics range from societal impact issues and activities,logistics management and operations, to current events and tools. Each seminar is followed by an informal gathering.

 

Humanitarian Logistics Management

QUALIFICATION

Participants earn both a Master of Advanced Studies (MAS - 60 ECTS) degree and a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certificate.

 

TUITION

Master of Advanced Studies - MAS - 60 ECTS | CHF 21'000

 

ACCREDITATION

USI Università della Svizzera italiana is one of 12 universities under the Swiss university system, coordinated by the Rectors’ Conference of the Swiss Universities (swissuniversitites). swissuniversities represents all 12 Swiss universities and maintains relationships with other accredited universities outside Switzerland. As a recognized university that is part of the public system, the degree-granting body of the Master of Advanced Studies in Humanitarian Logistics and Management is USI Università della Svizzera italiana.

To ensure international recognition, in 2002 USI became the first Swiss university to adopt the Bologna Reform and the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). The Bologna Declaration mandates that all taught courses and coursework are to be quantified in ECTS points. The ECTS guarantees that credits are wholly compatible and transferable within and across the broader European university system.

 

Humanitarian Logistics Management