The title ‘Logistician’ on its own gives little clue to the critical importance and everyday realities of Declan Overton’s role for Médecins Sans Frontières in its current Syrian emergency response. 

“The work of a logistician in the humanitarian sector is complex. It goes beyond supply chain management encompassing resource management, quality assurance, applied security, technical communications, energy availability and stability, sanitation and water supply, transport, and biomedical procurement. 

International humanitarian logistics management is more akin to senior operations management in an Australian context.

All of Declan’s skills in agile thinking, flexibility and innovation are essential in managing risk for the organisation, bringing order, reliable and ethical resourcing and support ensuring that the life-saving medical aid of Médecins Sans Frontières can continue to be delivered to those with the greatest need, in some of the world’s most dangerous locations.

“A typical day for me might involve the provision of technical support to field staff to overcome the daily obstacles we come across, such as the sudden eruption of armed conflict in our operation area, or making difficult choices to balance multiple equally important priorities in our health facilities.

“I regularly collaborate with other members of the country management team to develop mission strategy and project objectives, and I spend a lot of time developing creative approaches to enable us to implement that vision.”

The adaptability Declan displays in his current role was there too in the flexible study offered by Flinders that allowed Declan to study online while on assignments all over the world. The ability to include International Relations modules in his Government and Public Management enabled an understanding of the intricate relationships between NGOs, State, and Non-state actors that define global society in the 21st century. 

“Studying Public Administration helped me to articulate ideas of social consciousness and collective action that have always been so important to me. Having an in depth understanding of political ideology for example enables a much deeper level of participation in geopolitical context analysis as well as civil society more broadly.”

“The greatest satisfaction I have is working for an organisation that shares my values”.

Now undertaking a Graduate Certificate in Public Health at Flinders online and continuing to work with Médecins Sans Frontières, Declan’s path is one where a spirit of dynamic diversity and social justice can save lives.