Name: Kanyambi Frank Kakoma
Job Title: Provincial Education Advisor
Organisation: Chemonics International

My names are Kanyambi Frank Kakoma who is currently working with Chemonics International as a Provincial Education Advisor in Mongu district of Western Province in Zambia. I studied a Certification in Humanitarian Logistics (CHL) with the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport with a scholarship from Fritz Institute. I joined Chemonics International on 27th August 2012 and I have been working with this company for two (2) years and (7) seven months now.

My job involves providing technical support to the Provincial Education Offices and District Education Board Secretaries` implementation and evaluation of educational reforms. Strengthening leadership, management and supervision of education in the province. Strengthening provincial focus on learner performance through strategic plan development /or review and implementation. Facilitating improved standards monitoring and support provision in the province. Strengthening data-driven decision making among various education stakeholders which enhances learner performance improvement at provincial, district and school level. Strengthening effective school –parent/community participation in learner performance, including public/private partnership and contributing to the development of the provincial budget. I also manage the utilization of project funds and other resources/property.

The best thing about my job is that it involves a lot of interaction with senior education officers at both the provincial and district level assisting the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education to integrate and strengthen systems for evidence based decision making and strengthening decentralization for improved education management reform in support of improved learner performance measurement. The job involves a lot of planning and managing project resources.

Previously, I worked in a humanitarian sector with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) where I provided logistical support in the repatriation of Angolan refugees from 2003 to 2004 at Meheba Refugee Settlement. In 2005, I worked with IOM in the health department where I coordinated HIV/AIDS prevention awareness programme in the refugee settlement and at the departure centre during the repatriation of Angolan refugees. From that time I developed much interest in working in the humanitarian sector because I had passion to assist people who were vulnerable and in a disadvantaged situation. I also, discovered that in order for me to pursue a career in humanitarian sector it was imperative for me to acquire adequate skills and deep understanding of humanitarian work. This entailed looking for training opportunities where I could gain knowledge in humanitarian law, the work of international development relief organizations and general management of disasters and humanitarian relief operation. I embarked on searching for training opportunities until one day in July 2008 I came across an advertisement on relief web where Fritz Institute - USA in conjunction with the Chartered Institute of Logistics and transport - UK were offering ten scholarships for workers in humanitarian sector with little knowledge and people with interest in humanitarian work to study Certification in Humanitarian Logistics through distance learning. I applied for admission and a scholarship and fortunately was selected and offered a scholarship. I was able to enroll with Fritz/ CILT Certification Programme because the mode of study is flexible though demanding. The training is highly competency based which equips students with skills and knowledge based on job on training , where a student is recruited as a junior officer with a position of Logistician and raising through the ranks in a humanitarian imaginary organization called SCILiad up to the position of Operations Manager. This signifies that by the time a student completes the training he or she has already gained much understanding and develops competences to enable him to perform effectives the functions in the supply chain management, procurement, transport, warehousing and inventory, fleet management, import and export and managing humanitarian operation.

Though from the time I graduated as a Certified Logistician in Humanitarian Logistics I have not worked in a Humanitarian sector. However, I would be quick to state that Humanitarian Logistics training is an interdisciplinary course which caters across a lot of key subject areas such as supply chain management, procurement, transport, warehousing and inventory, fleet management, import and export (international trade) and managing humanitarian operation. This course gives great advantage for prospective students not only vying for work in humanitarian sector but also in commercial enterprises. CHL course in humanitarian logistics has permitted me to attend interviews with reputable organizations such as the United Nations High Commission for Refugees through United Nations Volunteer, United Nations Field Mission and recently I attended the Administrative Support Assistant Assessment Test (ASAT) which is a United Nations - Secretarial Standard pre-employment exam for locally recruited staff in the General Service Category. I believe that the skills I developed and knowledge acquired in humanitarian logistics gives a lot of chances of being employed in a humanitarian sector.

If there is anyone who is considering to develop a career in humanitarian logistics I strongly recommend such individuals or orgnisations to support their employees to study with Fritz Institute / Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Certificate in Humanitarian Logistics. The programme was developed by senior personnel working in highly esteemed international relief organizations and the course is based on field experience rather than theory.