Humanitarian & Disaster Management
Advocacy Competencies for Humanitarian Personnel
Short intensive on influencing decision-makers on behalf of affected communities.
View prospectus
Programme rationale
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.
Programme at a glance
Around 4 weeks of guided study, with weekday evening or weekend sessions and short practical tasks between sessions.
| 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 |
Target audience & entry requirements
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.
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.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the programme, learners should be able to:
- Build an advocacy strategy with clear asks
- Write persuasive evidence-based messages
- Engage decision-makers safely and ethically
Detailed modules
Each module below follows this programme’s published syllabus and contributes to the final practical work.
- 1
Advocacy foundations and power analysis
Week 1Examine advocacy foundations and power analysis as an evidence-to-decision process, from selecting suitable methods to interpreting and presenting findings.
What you cover
- 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 2Build audience-aware and ethical practice in evidence-based advocacy messaging, from evidence and message design to delivery and feedback.
What you cover
- 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 3Study stakeholder mapping and engagement in the context of humanitarian & Disaster Management, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
What you cover
- 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 4Build audience-aware and ethical practice in media, campaigns and public communication, from evidence and message design to delivery and feedback.
What you cover
- 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 5Apply advocacy planning, ethics and risk through systematic risk identification, proportionate controls, safe documentation and escalation.
What you cover
- 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.
Practical project / portfolio
Produce a one-page advocacy brief and pitch it in class.
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.
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.
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.
How this programme is delivered
Online
Guided sessions and assignments you can follow from anywhere with a connection.
Face-to-face
Classroom sessions at our Mile 91 learning centre, including weekend and evening options.
Blended
A mix of online study with periodic in-person workshops, field exercises and simulations.
Career & professional pathways
This programme supports professional development; it does not guarantee employment, promotion or entry to a regulated occupation.
- 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.
Fees & enrolment
- • Indicative programme fee: SLE 750.
- • One-off indicative registration fee: SLE 100.
- • Final fees, start date, delivery arrangement and any instalment option are confirmed in writing before commitment.
- • Submitting an application does not require payment and does not guarantee admission.
Regulatory & recognition 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.
Ready to start Advocacy Competencies for Humanitarian Personnel?
Applications for the Founding Student Intake 2026 are open. Register your interest and we will guide you to the right programme.