Leadership, Governance & Research
NGO Leadership, Grant Writing & Resource Mobilization
Leadership, proposal writing and fundraising skills for locally led organisations.
View prospectus
Programme rationale
Leadership, proposal writing and fundraising skills for locally led organisations. 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 | Governance, strategy and organisational systems |
| 2 | Weeks 3–4 | Donor landscape and resource mobilisation |
| 3 | Weeks 5–6 | Concept notes, proposals and budgets |
| 4 | Weeks 7–8 | Reporting, compliance and donor relations |
| 5 | Weeks 9–12 | Partnership building and localisation |
Target audience & entry requirements
Target audience
- • NGO, public-service and community-organisation staff with planning, leadership, finance, research or reporting duties.
- • Project officers and emerging managers seeking stronger professional systems and decision-making skills.
- • Graduates and practitioners building an applied work portfolio.
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:
- Write a fundable concept note and budget
- Build a resource mobilisation plan
- Strengthen governance and compliance practice
Detailed modules
Each module below follows this programme’s published syllabus and contributes to the final practical work.
- 1
Governance, strategy and organisational systems
Weeks 1–2Develop practical capability in governance, strategy and organisational systems, linking roles, resources, decisions, accountability and review.
What you cover
- Roles, responsibilities and decision points in governance, strategy and organisational systems
- Planning tools, coordination arrangements and documentation
- Implementation monitoring, accountability and improvement
Assessed work: Draft a usable plan, workflow or decision brief for governance, strategy and organisational systems.
- 2
Donor landscape and resource mobilisation
Weeks 3–4Study donor landscape and resource mobilisation in the context of leadership, Governance & Research, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
What you cover
- Essential concepts and terminology within donor landscape and resource mobilisation
- 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 donor landscape and resource mobilisation to a realistic setting.
- 3
Concept notes, proposals and budgets
Weeks 5–6Study concept notes, proposals and budgets in the context of leadership, Governance & Research, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
What you cover
- Essential concepts and terminology within concept notes, proposals and budgets
- 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 concept notes, proposals and budgets to a realistic setting.
- 4
Reporting, compliance and donor relations
Weeks 7–8Study reporting, compliance and donor relations in the context of leadership, Governance & Research, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
What you cover
- Essential concepts and terminology within reporting, compliance and donor relations
- 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 reporting, compliance and donor relations to a realistic setting.
- 5
Partnership building and localisation
Weeks 9–12Study partnership building and localisation in the context of leadership, Governance & Research, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
What you cover
- Essential concepts and terminology within partnership building and localisation
- 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 partnership building and localisation to a realistic setting.
Practical project / portfolio
Submit a complete concept note with budget for a real funding call.
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: Submit a complete concept note with budget for a real funding call.
- • 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 leadership, Governance & Research.
- 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 NGO Leadership, Grant Writing & Resource Mobilization?
Applications for the Founding Student Intake 2026 are open. Register your interest and we will guide you to the right programme.