About This Course
Effective logistics and supply chain management is a cornerstone of successful programme delivery for non-governmental organisations. Whether responding to a humanitarian emergency, distributing health commodities, or managing a multi-country development programme, NGOs depend on lean, transparent, and accountable supply chains to get the right goods to the right people at the right time — and at the right cost.
This five-day training course, offered by TrainingComplex, is purpose-built for the NGO operating environment. It goes beyond generic supply chain theory to address the specific constraints, donor requirements, and ethical standards that define humanitarian and development logistics. Participants will gain a structured understanding of end-to-end supply chain management — from needs assessment and procurement planning through to last-mile delivery and post-distribution monitoring.
The programme covers critical topics including supplier selection and vendor management, importation and customs clearance, inventory control, warehouse management, fleet and transport management, and logistics information systems. Special attention is given to fraud prevention, accountability frameworks, and compliance with major donor regulations such as those of USAID, EU, UN agencies, and the ICRC.
Designed for both field-based and headquarters-based staff, the course uses a participatory approach that encourages peer learning and the application of tools directly to participants' own organisational contexts. Delegates will leave with a portfolio of templates, checklists, and frameworks ready for immediate use, as well as a deeper understanding of how supply chain excellence drives programme impact.
Who Should Attend
- Logistics and Supply Chain Officers and Managers in NGOs and INGOs
- Procurement Officers working in humanitarian or development contexts
- Administration and Operations Managers responsible for organisational resources
- Warehouse and Fleet Managers in humanitarian response settings
- Project and Programme Managers who oversee supply-chain-intensive activities
- Finance and Compliance Officers involved in procurement oversight
- Country Directors and Operations Directors seeking to strengthen organisational systems
- Government officials working in partnership with NGOs on logistics functions
Learning Objectives
- Understand the structure and strategic importance of supply chain management within the NGO sector
- Apply humanitarian logistics principles and standards to real-world operational scenarios
- Design and implement a procurement plan that aligns with donor compliance requirements
- Conduct supplier pre-qualification, evaluation, and performance monitoring effectively
- Manage warehouse operations, stock control, and inventory reporting systems
- Apply fleet and transport management best practices to reduce cost and improve reliability
- Navigate importation, customs clearance, and in-country distribution challenges
- Use logistics information systems and data to support decision-making and accountability
- Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including fraud, diversion, and supplier failure
- Develop internal controls and audit readiness measures for supply chain functions
Course Modules
Module 1: Introduction to NGO Supply Chain Management
- The role of supply chain management in NGO programme delivery
- Key differences between commercial and humanitarian supply chains
- Supply chain actors, structures, and coordination mechanisms in the NGO sector
- Core principles: accountability, transparency, value for money, and do-no-harm
- Mapping the end-to-end supply chain: from needs assessment to last-mile delivery
- Ethical considerations in NGO procurement: beneficiary dignity, local market impact, and conflict sensitivity
Module 2: Procurement Planning and Strategy
- Linking procurement to project work plans and budgets
- Developing a procurement plan: timelines, thresholds, and categories
- Procurement methods: direct purchase, request for quotation, and competitive tender
- Anti-corruption safeguards and conflict-of-interest management
- Categorising goods and services by criticality and lead time to prioritise procurement sequencing
- Reviewing and updating procurement plans in response to project amendments, budget revisions, and scope changes
Module 3: Supplier Identification, Pre-qualification, and Management
- Building and maintaining an approved supplier database
- Pre-qualification criteria, due diligence, and supplier vetting
- Evaluating quotations and tenders using weighted scoring matrices
- Supplier performance monitoring, feedback, and contract management
- Conducting market assessments to identify local suppliers and assess market capacity before sourcing
- Managing supplier disputes, contract breaches, and the process for suspending or removing vendors from approved lists
Module 4: Donor Compliance and Regulatory Frameworks
- Overview of major donor procurement regulations: USAID, EU, ECHO, UN, and FCDO
- Restricted items, ineligible expenditures, and procurement thresholds
- Documentation requirements and audit trails for donor-funded procurement
- Handling exceptions, derogations, and emergency procurement approvals
- Interpreting and cross-referencing donor rules when managing multi-donor funded projects with conflicting requirements
- Ensuring sub-grantee and implementing partner compliance with donor procurement standards through oversight and capacity support
Module 5: Warehouse Management and Storage Systems
- Warehouse design principles: layout, zoning, safety, and hygiene
- Receiving goods: inspection, GRN preparation, and discrepancy reporting
- Stock management systems: FIFO, FEFO, bin cards, and stock registers
- Conducting physical inventory counts and reconciling stock records
- Hazardous and sensitive commodity storage: cold chain requirements, segregation rules, and security controls
- Warehouse staffing structures, access controls, and standard operating procedures for day-to-day operations
Module 6: Inventory Control and Stock Reporting
- Setting minimum stock levels, reorder points, and safety stock buffers
- Loss prevention: identifying pilferage, spoilage, and damage risks
- Preparing accurate stock reports for programme and donor reporting
- Managing slow-moving, expired, and redundant stock in compliance with donor rules
- Investigating and documenting stock discrepancies: root cause analysis, loss reports, and escalation procedures
- Forecasting stock requirements using consumption data, pipeline information, and programme distribution schedules
Module 7: Fleet and Transport Management
- Vehicle selection, registration, and insurance requirements in NGO contexts
- Planning vehicle movements: trip authorisation, route optimisation, and scheduling
- Vehicle maintenance schedules, pre-trip inspections, and defect reporting
- Fleet utilisation analysis, fuel management, and cost-per-kilometre tracking
- Driver management: recruitment criteria, road safety training, incident reporting, and performance monitoring
- Hibernation, disposal, and handover procedures for vehicles at project closure or during extended non-operational periods
Module 8: Importation, Customs Clearance, and In-Country Distribution
- Understanding import regulations, duty exemptions, and NGO privileges
- Working with freight forwarders, clearing agents, and port authorities
- Preparing shipping documents: pro forma invoices, packing lists, and bills of lading
- Last-mile distribution planning: handover protocols, distribution lists, and post-distribution monitoring
- Managing port delays, demurrage charges, and cargo damage claims during the clearance process
- In-country transport mode selection: comparing road, air, and river freight based on cost, security, and access constraints
Module 9: Logistics Information Systems and Data Management
- Introduction to logistics management information systems (LMIS) used in NGOs
- Digital tools for procurement tracking, inventory management, and fleet monitoring
- Using data dashboards to monitor supply chain performance and flag bottlenecks
- Data quality, record-keeping standards, and information security in logistics
- Evaluating and selecting appropriate technology solutions for low-connectivity and resource-constrained operating environments
- Training field staff on system use, data entry discipline, and troubleshooting common LMIS errors to ensure data integrity
Module 10: Supply Chain Risk Management, Internal Controls, and Audit Readiness
- Identifying and assessing supply chain risks: disruption, fraud, and supplier failure
- Designing internal controls: segregation of duties, approval hierarchies, and spot checks
- Preparing for internal and external audits: file organisation and documentation review
- Continuous improvement: after-action reviews, lessons learned, and supply chain KPIs
- Developing and activating supply chain contingency plans for common humanitarian operating risks such as access denial, market collapse, and staff turnover
- Building a culture of compliance: staff orientation on fraud awareness, whistleblowing mechanisms, and zero-tolerance policies
Requirements & Prerequisites
Participants should have at least one year of experience working in an NGO, INGO, or related development or humanitarian organisation in a logistics, procurement, operations, or programme management role. Basic familiarity with procurement or supply chain concepts is beneficial but not mandatory. No prior formal training in supply chain management is required to benefit fully from this course.
Training Methodology
- Humanitarian logistics case studies drawn from real NGO operations in East Africa, West Africa, and fragile-state contexts
- Procurement simulation exercises in which participants draft tender documents, evaluate bids, and apply award criteria
- Warehouse layout and inventory management practicals using hands-on stock-taking and bin-card exercises
- Fleet management planning workshops where participants calculate vehicle utilisation rates and design maintenance schedules
- Donor compliance mapping sessions comparing USAID, EU, UN, and ICRC procurement rules
- Small-group problem-solving challenges based on common NGO supply chain breakdowns and last-mile delivery failures
- Peer-to-peer knowledge exchange structured around participants' own organisational policies and experiences
- Template and tool application sessions covering procurement plans, LPOs, GRNs, waybills, and stock reports
- Facilitated reflection exercises linking course content to each participant's current role and operational challenges
Organisational Benefits
- Stronger procurement systems that reduce waste, duplication, and non-compliance
- Improved donor confidence through transparent, well-documented supply chain practices
- Reduced exposure to fraud, misappropriation, and reputational risk
- Faster and more cost-effective programme delivery through optimised logistics workflows
- Better value for money in procurement through competitive, structured sourcing processes
- Enhanced capacity of logistics and operations staff to manage complex supply chains independently
- Improved coordination between procurement, finance, programmes, and field teams
- Readiness for audits, evaluations, and donor spot checks with organised documentation and records
Where Is Logistics and Supply Chain Management for NGOs Training Offered?
This course runs in-person across: Johannesburg, Nairobi, Kampala, Kigali, Nakuru, Naivasha, Dubai, Kisumu, Abuja, Pretoria, Lagos, Arusha, Cape Town, Dar es Salaam, Riyadh, Mombasa, Addis Ababa, Zanzibar, Accra, plus Live Virtual (online) cohorts. Browse live dates for your city below.
Upcoming Schedules
| Location | Format | Dates | Price |
|---|
| Johannesburg, South Africa |
In-Person |
5 Oct 2026 – 9 Oct 2026 |
USD 3,500 |
| Nairobi, Kenya |
In-Person |
5 Oct 2026 – 9 Oct 2026 |
KES 105,000 |
| Kampala, Uganda |
In-Person |
12 Oct 2026 – 16 Oct 2026 |
USD 1,900 |
| Kigali, Rwanda |
In-Person |
12 Oct 2026 – 16 Oct 2026 |
USD 1,900 |
| Live Virtual |
Online |
17 Oct 2026 – 8 Nov 2026 |
KES 80,000 |
| Nakuru, Kenya |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
KES 120,000 |
| Live Virtual |
Online |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
KES 80,000 |
| Naivasha, Kenya |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
KES 115,000 |
| Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
USD 4,100 |
| Kisumu, Kenya |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
KES 120,000 |
| Abuja, Nigeria |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
USD 2,800 |
| Pretoria, South Africa |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
USD 3,300 |
| Lagos, Nigeria |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
USD 2,500 |
| Arusha, Tanzania |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
USD 2,100 |
| Cape Town, South Africa |
In-Person |
26 Oct 2026 – 30 Oct 2026 |
USD 3,800 |
+237 more dates — view live schedule →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a formal supply chain qualification to attend this course?
No formal qualification is required. The course is designed for NGO practitioners with at least one year of relevant work experience in logistics, procurement, operations, or programme management. The content is practical and immediately applicable to day-to-day NGO operations.
Will I receive a certificate upon completing the course?
Yes. All participants who attend the full five-day programme will receive a Certificate of Completion from TrainingComplex. The certificate can be used for professional development records and to support career advancement within the humanitarian and development sector.
Is this course relevant to both emergency response and development programme contexts?
Yes. The curriculum covers principles and tools that apply across both humanitarian emergency logistics and longer-term development programme supply chains. Case studies and examples are drawn from both contexts to ensure relevance for all participants.
What materials will participants receive?
Participants receive a comprehensive course manual, a set of ready-to-use templates (procurement plans, LPOs, GRNs, waybills, and stock reports), and digital copies of all tools and frameworks covered during the training. These resources are designed to be adapted and implemented within participants' own organisations immediately after the course.
Can this course be delivered in-house for our organisation?
Yes. TrainingComplex offers customised in-house delivery of this course for NGOs and INGOs wishing to train their own teams. The content can be tailored to your organisation's specific donor portfolio, geographic context, and internal policies. Please contact us to discuss a proposal.
