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Official programme prospectus
Vulnerability & Risk Assessment Methods
Methods for identifying hazards, exposure and vulnerability to guide preparedness decisions.
- Duration
- 3 months / about 12 weeks
- Fee
- SLE 2,500
- Delivery
- Online · Face-to-face · Blended
- Level
- Intermediate
SLIHSD · Vulnerability & Risk Assessment Methods · 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?
Methods for identifying hazards, exposure and vulnerability to guide preparedness decisions. 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
- Intermediate
- 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
- • Run a participatory vulnerability assessment
- • Produce a community risk map
- • Prioritise risks and recommend actions
7. Course structure and modules
| Unit | Study block | Module |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weeks 1–2 | Hazard, exposure, vulnerability and capacity concepts |
| 2 | Weeks 3–4 | Participatory vulnerability and capacity assessment |
| 3 | Weeks 5–6 | Risk mapping and data sources |
| 4 | Weeks 7–8 | Risk analysis, scoring and prioritisation |
| 5 | Weeks 9–12 | Turning assessment into preparedness action |
8. Detailed module breakdown
1. Hazard, exposure, vulnerability and capacity concepts (Weeks 1–2)
Apply hazard, exposure, vulnerability and capacity concepts through systematic risk identification, proportionate controls, safe documentation and escalation.
- • Hazards, exposure and professional responsibilities within hazard, exposure, vulnerability and capacity concepts
- • Prevention, control and response measures
- • Inspection, recording, referral and improvement actions
Assessed work: Complete a scenario-based risk, control or referral exercise for hazard, exposure, vulnerability and capacity concepts.
2. Participatory vulnerability and capacity assessment (Weeks 3–4)
Examine participatory vulnerability and capacity assessment as an evidence-to-decision process, from selecting suitable methods to interpreting and presenting findings.
- • Purpose, scope and ethical considerations for participatory vulnerability and capacity 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 participatory vulnerability and capacity assessment.
3. Risk mapping and data sources (Weeks 5–6)
Examine risk mapping and data sources as an evidence-to-decision process, from selecting suitable methods to interpreting and presenting findings.
- • Purpose, scope and ethical considerations for risk mapping and data sources
- • 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 risk mapping and data sources.
4. Risk analysis, scoring and prioritisation (Weeks 7–8)
Examine risk analysis, scoring and prioritisation as an evidence-to-decision process, from selecting suitable methods to interpreting and presenting findings.
- • Purpose, scope and ethical considerations for risk analysis, scoring and prioritisation
- • 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 risk analysis, scoring and prioritisation.
5. Turning assessment into preparedness action (Weeks 9–12)
Examine turning assessment into preparedness action as an evidence-to-decision process, from selecting suitable methods to interpreting and presenting findings.
- • Purpose, scope and ethical considerations for turning assessment into preparedness action
- • 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 turning assessment into preparedness action.
9. Practical project / portfolio
Community risk mapping fieldwork with an assessment report.
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: Community risk mapping fieldwork with an assessment report.
- • 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.