Humanitarian & Disaster Management
Humanitarian & Development Practice
Core practice foundations for people working in relief, recovery and community development settings.
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Programme rationale
Core practice foundations for people working in relief, recovery and community development settings. 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 12 weeks of guided study, typically two sessions a week plus independent work, so you can keep working while you study.
| Unit | Study block | Module |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weeks 1–2 | Humanitarian principles, standards and accountability |
| 2 | Weeks 3–4 | Needs assessment and response planning |
| 3 | Weeks 5–6 | Project cycle management for development work |
| 4 | Weeks 7–8 | Community engagement and do-no-harm practice |
| 5 | Weeks 9–12 | Coordination, reporting and field documentation |
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
- • 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.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the programme, learners should be able to:
- Apply humanitarian principles and standards in field decisions
- Design a basic needs assessment and response plan
- Coordinate with clusters, local authorities and community structures
Detailed modules
Each module below follows this programme’s published syllabus and contributes to the final practical work.
- 1
Humanitarian principles, standards and accountability
Weeks 1–2Study humanitarian principles, standards and accountability in the context of humanitarian & Disaster Management, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
What you cover
- Essential concepts and terminology within humanitarian principles, standards and accountability
- 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 humanitarian principles, standards and accountability to a realistic setting.
- 2
Needs assessment and response planning
Weeks 3–4Examine needs assessment and response planning as an evidence-to-decision process, from selecting suitable methods to interpreting and presenting findings.
What you cover
- Purpose, scope and ethical considerations for needs assessment and response planning
- 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 needs assessment and response planning.
- 3
Project cycle management for development work
Weeks 5–6Develop practical capability in project cycle management for development work, linking roles, resources, decisions, accountability and review.
What you cover
- Roles, responsibilities and decision points in project cycle management for development work
- Planning tools, coordination arrangements and documentation
- Implementation monitoring, accountability and improvement
Assessed work: Draft a usable plan, workflow or decision brief for project cycle management for development work.
- 4
Community engagement and do-no-harm practice
Weeks 7–8Build audience-aware and ethical practice in community engagement and do-no-harm practice, from evidence and message design to delivery and feedback.
What you cover
- Audience, purpose and ethical practice in community engagement and do-no-harm practice
- Message, content or participation methods
- Delivery channels, feedback and quality review
Assessed work: Create and present an audience-ready communication product for community engagement and do-no-harm practice.
- 5
Coordination, reporting and field documentation
Weeks 9–12Develop practical capability in coordination, reporting and field documentation, linking roles, resources, decisions, accountability and review.
What you cover
- Roles, responsibilities and decision points in coordination, reporting and field documentation
- Planning tools, coordination arrangements and documentation
- Implementation monitoring, accountability and improvement
Assessed work: Draft a usable plan, workflow or decision brief for coordination, reporting and field documentation.
Practical project / portfolio
Field-style rapid assessment exercise and response plan submission.
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: Field-style rapid assessment exercise and response plan submission.
- • 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 2,500.
- • 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 Humanitarian & Development Practice?
Applications for the Founding Student Intake 2026 are open. Register your interest and we will guide you to the right programme.