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Official programme prospectus
Advocacy Competencies for Humanitarian Personnel
Short intensive on influencing decision-makers on behalf of affected communities.
- Duration
- 1 month / about 4 weeks
- Fee
- SLE 750
- Delivery
- Online · Face-to-face · Blended
- Level
- Foundation
SLIHSD · Advocacy Competencies for Humanitarian Personnel · Programme prospectus
1. About SLIHSD
Sierra Leone Institute for Humanitarian and Sustainable Development is a developing professional education, training and capacity-development institute focused on practical, accessible learning for humanitarian, community and sustainable-development practice.
2. Why this programme?
Short intensive on influencing decision-makers on behalf of affected communities. The programme is structured for learners who need practical, assessable capability they can connect to real responsibilities while continuing work or other commitments.
3. Programme at a glance
- Category
- Humanitarian & Disaster Management
- Level
- Foundation
- Duration
- 1 month (about 4 weeks)
- Study modes
- Online · Face-to-face · Blended
- Indicative programme fee
- SLE 750
- Registration fee
- SLE 100
- Location
- Mile 91, Tonkolili District, Sierra Leone
- Application deadline
- 31 March 2026
Around 4 weeks of guided study, with weekday evening or weekend sessions and short practical tasks between sessions.
4. Target audience
- • Humanitarian, development, resilience and community practitioners.
- • Government, NGO and volunteer personnel whose roles relate to this programme area.
- • School leavers, graduates and working adults seeking practical professional development.
5. Entry requirements
- • Open to all learners; no formal qualification required.
- • Access to a phone, tablet or computer for online and blended study.
- • Commitment to attend sessions and submit assignments on time.
6. Learning outcomes
- • Build an advocacy strategy with clear asks
- • Write persuasive evidence-based messages
- • Engage decision-makers safely and ethically
7. Course structure and modules
| Unit | Study block | Module |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Week 1 | Advocacy foundations and power analysis |
| 2 | Week 2 | Evidence-based advocacy messaging |
| 3 | Week 3 | Stakeholder mapping and engagement |
| 4 | Week 4 | Media, campaigns and public communication |
| 5 | Week 5 | Advocacy planning, ethics and risk |
8. Detailed module breakdown
1. Advocacy foundations and power analysis (Week 1)
Examine advocacy foundations and power analysis as an evidence-to-decision process, from selecting suitable methods to interpreting and presenting findings.
- • Purpose, scope and ethical considerations for advocacy foundations and power analysis
- • Appropriate data sources, methods and quality checks
- • Interpretation, documentation and decision-ready reporting
Assessed work: Produce and review a working analysis or evidence tool for advocacy foundations and power analysis.
2. Evidence-based advocacy messaging (Week 2)
Build audience-aware and ethical practice in evidence-based advocacy messaging, from evidence and message design to delivery and feedback.
- • Audience, purpose and ethical practice in evidence-based advocacy messaging
- • Message, content or participation methods
- • Delivery channels, feedback and quality review
Assessed work: Create and present an audience-ready communication product for evidence-based advocacy messaging.
3. Stakeholder mapping and engagement (Week 3)
Study stakeholder mapping and engagement in the context of humanitarian & Disaster Management, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
- • Essential concepts and terminology within stakeholder mapping and engagement
- • Methods, tools and professional standards used in practice
- • Application through a relevant case, task or workplace scenario
Assessed work: Complete a guided case task applying stakeholder mapping and engagement to a realistic setting.
4. Media, campaigns and public communication (Week 4)
Build audience-aware and ethical practice in media, campaigns and public communication, from evidence and message design to delivery and feedback.
- • Audience, purpose and ethical practice in media, campaigns and public communication
- • Message, content or participation methods
- • Delivery channels, feedback and quality review
Assessed work: Create and present an audience-ready communication product for media, campaigns and public communication.
5. Advocacy planning, ethics and risk (Week 5)
Apply advocacy planning, ethics and risk through systematic risk identification, proportionate controls, safe documentation and escalation.
- • Hazards, exposure and professional responsibilities within advocacy planning, ethics and risk
- • Prevention, control and response measures
- • Inspection, recording, referral and improvement actions
Assessed work: Complete a scenario-based risk, control or referral exercise for advocacy planning, ethics and risk.
9. Practical project / portfolio
Produce a one-page advocacy brief and pitch it in class.
10. Teaching & learning approach
- • Tutor-led explanation and demonstration focused on the published module topics.
- • Guided practice using cases, scenarios, templates or production tasks relevant to the programme.
- • Individual and group feedback that helps learners improve work before final submission.
- • Flexible online, face-to-face or blended participation, with evening and weekend scheduling where available.
11. Assessment & completion
- • Short applied tasks linked to the published modules.
- • Practical component: Produce a one-page advocacy brief and pitch it in class.
- • A final assessment or portfolio review covering the full syllabus.
- • Participation in guided sessions, discussions and group exercises.
12. Career & professional pathways
- • Apply the programme’s tools in field, programme, coordination or community-facing responsibilities related to humanitarian & Disaster Management.
- • Use the completed project or portfolio as evidence of applied professional development.
- • Progress to related SLIHSD intermediate or advanced professional learning where available.
13. Learner support
- • Session handouts, checklists and templates you keep after the course.
- • Case material and worked examples based on community and field practice.
- • Tutor guidance by WhatsApp between sessions.
14. Fees & enrolment
Indicative programme fee for this course is SLE 750, plus a one-off registration fee of SLE 100. Final fees and any instalment arrangement are confirmed with you in writing before you commit.
| Course length | Indicative fee |
|---|---|
| 1 month short courses | SLE 150 – 750 |
| 1–3 months | SLE 2,500 |
| 3–6 months | SLE 3,500 |
| 6–18 months | SLE 5,000 |
15. Quality, recognition & regulatory notice
SLIHSD is a developing professional learning institution. Accreditation and formal recognition are subject to applicable regulatory approvals. Completion records an SLIHSD professional short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
Learners who complete all assessments receive an SLIHSD professional certificate of completion. This records completion of an SLIHSD short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
16. Contact & application
Learn. Build skills. Make a difference.
Apply online at slihsd.org/admissions, message us on WhatsApp +232 73655013, call +232 73655013, or email info@slihsd.org.
Sierra Leone Institute for Humanitarian and Sustainable Development (SLIHSD) · Mile 91, Tonkolili District, Sierra Leone · WhatsApp Business +232 73655013 · info@slihsd.org · slihsd.org
SLIHSD is a developing professional learning institution. Accreditation and formal recognition are subject to applicable regulatory approvals. Certificates issued reflect completion of SLIHSD short courses and are not presented as accredited academic awards.