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Official programme prospectus
Advanced Certificate in Disaster Recovery Practice & Development
Recovery, reconstruction and build-back-better practice after a disaster event.
- Duration
- 3 months / about 12 weeks
- Fee
- SLE 2,500
- Delivery
- Online · Face-to-face · Blended
- Level
- Advanced
SLIHSD · Advanced Certificate in Disaster Recovery Practice & Development · 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?
Recovery, reconstruction and build-back-better practice after a disaster event. 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
- Advanced
- Duration
- 3 months (about 12 weeks)
- Study modes
- Online · Face-to-face · Blended
- Indicative programme fee
- SLE 2,500
- Registration fee
- SLE 100
- Location
- Mile 91, Tonkolili District, Sierra Leone
- Application deadline
- 31 March 2026
Around 12 weeks of guided study, typically two sessions a week plus independent work, so you can keep working while you study.
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
- • Basic literacy and secondary-level education, or relevant practical work experience.
- • Access to a phone, tablet or computer for online and blended study.
- • Commitment to attend sessions and submit assignments on time.
6. Learning outcomes
- • Contribute to a post-disaster needs assessment
- • Plan a sector recovery programme
- • Apply build-back-better principles
7. Course structure and modules
| Unit | Study block | Module |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weeks 1–2 | Recovery frameworks and transition from relief |
| 2 | Weeks 3–4 | Post-disaster needs assessment |
| 3 | Weeks 5–6 | Shelter, settlement and infrastructure recovery |
| 4 | Weeks 7–8 | Livelihood restoration and social recovery |
| 5 | Weeks 9–12 | Recovery governance, financing and monitoring |
8. Detailed module breakdown
1. Recovery frameworks and transition from relief (Weeks 1–2)
Study recovery frameworks and transition from relief in the context of humanitarian & Disaster Management, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
- • Essential concepts and terminology within recovery frameworks and transition from relief
- • 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 recovery frameworks and transition from relief to a realistic setting.
2. Post-disaster needs assessment (Weeks 3–4)
Examine post-disaster needs assessment as an evidence-to-decision process, from selecting suitable methods to interpreting and presenting findings.
- • Purpose, scope and ethical considerations for post-disaster needs assessment
- • 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 post-disaster needs assessment.
3. Shelter, settlement and infrastructure recovery (Weeks 5–6)
Study shelter, settlement and infrastructure recovery in the context of humanitarian & Disaster Management, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
- • Essential concepts and terminology within shelter, settlement and infrastructure recovery
- • 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 shelter, settlement and infrastructure recovery to a realistic setting.
4. Livelihood restoration and social recovery (Weeks 7–8)
Study livelihood restoration and social recovery in the context of humanitarian & Disaster Management, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
- • Essential concepts and terminology within livelihood restoration and social recovery
- • 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 livelihood restoration and social recovery to a realistic setting.
5. Recovery governance, financing and monitoring (Weeks 9–12)
Examine recovery governance, financing and monitoring as an evidence-to-decision process, from selecting suitable methods to interpreting and presenting findings.
- • Purpose, scope and ethical considerations for recovery governance, financing and monitoring
- • 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 recovery governance, financing and monitoring.
9. Practical project / portfolio
Draft a sector recovery plan based on a case scenario.
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: Draft a sector recovery plan based on a case scenario.
- • 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 2,500, 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.