Advanced Post Graduate Diploma in Humanitarian Program Manager

The Advanced Post Graduate Diploma Program in Humanitarian Program Management prepares professionals for leadership roles in planning, implementing, and overseeing humanitarian programs. This program equips participants with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to effectively manage complex projects in humanitarian crises. Through a combination of theoretical insights, practical skills development, and case studies, students will gain expertise in project design, proposal writing, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation, and coordination of humanitarian interventions.

Course Objectives:

• Develop a deep understanding of humanitarian principles, standards, and best practices.
• Learn to design, plan, and implement humanitarian programs in diverse contexts.
• Develop skills in proposal writing, project management, and budgeting for humanitarian initiatives.
• Understand the importance of needs assessment, beneficiary targeting, and stakeholder engagement in program planning.
• Gain proficiency in monitoring and evaluation techniques to assess program effectiveness and impact.
• Enhance coordination, communication, and leadership skills for effective program management.
• Explore strategies for ensuring accountability, transparency, and compliance with humanitarian standards and donor requirements.
• Apply theoretical knowledge and practical skills through a capstone project focused on designing and implementing a humanitarian program in a simulated crisis scenario.

Course Structure:

Module 1: Introduction to Humanitarian Principles and Standards

• Overview of humanitarian principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence
• Introduction to humanitarian standards and guidelines: Sphere standards, Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS), and other relevant frameworks
• Ethical considerations and challenges in humanitarian program management

Module 2: Needs Assessment and Project Design

• Methods and tools for conducting needs assessments in humanitarian contexts
• Principles of project design, logical framework approach (LFA), and theory of change (TOC)
• Developing SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) objectives and indicators for humanitarian projects

Module 3: Proposal Writing and Resource Mobilization

• Components of a successful project proposal: problem statement, objectives, activities, budget, and monitoring plan
• Strategies for identifying and engaging with donors, including institutional and private donors
• Budgeting techniques, cost estimation, and financial management for humanitarian programs

Module 4: Monitoring and Evaluation in Humanitarian Programs

• Designing monitoring and evaluation frameworks for humanitarian projects
• Data collection methods, including quantitative and qualitative approaches
• Utilizing monitoring and evaluation findings for adaptive management and program improvement

Module 5: Coordination and Partnership Management

• Principles of humanitarian coordination and cluster approach
• Role of humanitarian coordination mechanisms, including UN OCHA and humanitarian clusters
• Building and managing partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, UN agencies, and other stakeholders

Module 6: Risk Management and Security in Humanitarian Operations

• Identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks in humanitarian operations
• Security risk management strategies for personnel, assets, and programs
• Crisis management and contingency planning for security incidents and emergencies

Module 7: Accountability, Transparency, and Compliance

• Ensuring accountability to affected populations (AAP) and community participation in humanitarian programs
• Transparency mechanisms, including information sharing and feedback mechanisms
• Compliance with humanitarian standards, donor requirements, and legal regulations

Module 8: Capstone Project: Humanitarian Program Design and Simulation

• Application of knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program
• Design and implementation of a humanitarian program in response to a simulated crisis scenario
• Presentation of the capstone project and reflection on lessons learned from the simulation

• Research Paper: As part of the course requirements, you’ll have the opportunity to select a research topic. After choosing your topic, you’ll collaborate with the moderator to finalize it. Following approval, you’ll proceed to develop a comprehensive proposal. Once approved, you’ll continue to refine and expand your research by completing chapters three, four, and five of the paper. Detailed guidelines will be provided to ensure adherence to the preferred format specified by the institute.

• Assignments: To demonstrate comprehension, participants will complete three assignments designed to apply course concepts to real-world scenarios, fostering critical thinking and practical problem-solving skills after completing each module.

• Final Examination: To demonstrate comprehensive understanding and application of the course, you will seat for a final examination which is conducted online.

• Certification: Showcase your competence and expertise with a certificate of completion issued by Stratford International BDLC upon successful completion

• Dedicate approximately 10-12 hours per week to coursework and learning activities

• Target Regions: Worldwide