Health, Public Health & Safety
Nutrition Specialist in Emergencies and Humanitarian Settings
Assessment and management of acute malnutrition in emergency and humanitarian programmes.
Syllabus at a glance
Around 24 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 1–5 | Nutrition in emergencies: concepts and causes |
| 2 | Weeks 6–10 | Anthropometry, screening and nutrition surveys |
| 3 | Weeks 11–15 | Management of acute malnutrition (CMAM/OTP/SC) |
| 4 | Weeks 16–20 | Infant and young child feeding in emergencies |
| 5 | Weeks 21–24 | Nutrition coordination, supply and reporting |
Module breakdown
- 1
Nutrition in emergencies: concepts and causes
Weeks 1–5Build a shared working vocabulary for nutrition in emergencies: concepts and causes and set the standards this course expects of you.
What you cover
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind nutrition in emergencies: concepts and causes
- Step-by-step methods and templates for nutrition in emergencies: concepts and causes
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in nutrition in emergencies: concepts and causes, and how to avoid them
- Applying nutrition in emergencies: concepts and causes in low-resource and community settings
Assessed work: Case study discussion applying nutrition in emergencies: concepts and causes to a local scenario.
- 2
Anthropometry, screening and nutrition surveys
Weeks 6–10Work through the methods and tools used for anthropometry, screening and nutrition surveys in day-to-day programme work.
What you cover
- Step-by-step methods and templates for anthropometry, screening and nutrition surveys
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in anthropometry, screening and nutrition surveys, and how to avoid them
- Applying anthropometry, screening and nutrition surveys in low-resource and community settings
Assessed work: Practical task: draft one working document related to anthropometry, screening and nutrition surveys.
- 3
Management of acute malnutrition (CMAM/OTP/SC)
Weeks 11–15Practise management of acute malnutrition (CMAM/OTP/SC) on realistic case material drawn from Sierra Leonean community and field settings.
What you cover
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in management of acute malnutrition (CMAM/OTP/SC), and how to avoid them
- Applying management of acute malnutrition (CMAM/OTP/SC) in low-resource and community settings
- Recording, reporting and communicating your management of acute malnutrition (CMAM/OTP/SC) work
Assessed work: Group simulation using management of acute malnutrition (CMAM/OTP/SC) under time pressure.
- 4
Infant and young child feeding in emergencies
Weeks 16–20Turn infant and young child feeding in emergencies into documents, plans and decisions your team or employer can actually use.
What you cover
- Applying infant and young child feeding in emergencies in low-resource and community settings
- Recording, reporting and communicating your infant and young child feeding in emergencies work
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind infant and young child feeding in emergencies
Assessed work: Portfolio entry: reflect on how you will use infant and young child feeding in emergencies in your role.
- 5
Nutrition coordination, supply and reporting
Weeks 21–24Review, quality-check and improve your own nutrition coordination, supply and reporting work with tutor and peer feedback.
What you cover
- Recording, reporting and communicating your nutrition coordination, supply and reporting work
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind nutrition coordination, supply and reporting
- Step-by-step methods and templates for nutrition coordination, supply and reporting
Assessed work: Guided exercise: produce a short worked example covering nutrition coordination, supply and reporting.
Who this course is for
- • Practitioners and volunteers already working in, or moving into, this area of work.
- • Health workers, facility staff and community health volunteers.
- • School leavers and graduates building a first professional 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.
How you are assessed
- • Short module tasks completed during the course.
- • Practical component: Screening and case-management practical with supervised data analysis.
- • A final assessment or portfolio review covering the full syllabus.
- • Participation in guided sessions, discussions and group exercises.
Materials and 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.
Certification
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.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the certificate you should be able to:
- Run nutrition screening and interpret results
- Support CMAM service delivery
- Plan and report a nutrition response
Practical component
Screening and case-management practical with supervised data analysis.
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.
Ready to start Nutrition Specialist in Emergencies and Humanitarian Settings?
Applications for the Founding Student Intake 2026 are open. Register your interest and we will guide you to the right programme.