Managing operations
Responding effectively to crisis is an exercise in swiftly, safely delivering large quantities of services and stuff to people who urgently need it, and doing so under difficult conditions. The managerial task list is long, a requirement to ensure security, sufficient human resources, adherence to humanitarian principles and IHL, negotiated access, functional relations with local governmental and community authorities, real-time monitoring of the context and programmes (to signal but a few). This requires human resource management, financial management, security/risk management, logistics/resources management, strategic planning, context analysis and diplomatic engagement. It also requires patience, dedication, flexibility and stamina. Luck may also come in handy.