Health, Public Health & Safety
Nutrition Specialist in Emergencies and Humanitarian Settings
Assessment and management of acute malnutrition in emergency and humanitarian programmes.
View prospectus
Programme rationale
Assessment and management of acute malnutrition in emergency and humanitarian programmes. 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 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 |
Target audience & entry requirements
Target audience
- • Health workers, facility teams, safety focal persons and community health volunteers.
- • Programme staff whose work includes prevention, preparedness, surveillance, safety or community engagement.
- • Learners seeking structured professional development in public-health and safety practice.
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:
- Run nutrition screening and interpret results
- Support CMAM service delivery
- Plan and report a nutrition response
Detailed modules
Each module below follows this programme’s published syllabus and contributes to the final practical work.
- 1
Nutrition in emergencies: concepts and causes
Weeks 1–5Study nutrition in emergencies: concepts and causes in the context of health, Public Health & Safety, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
What you cover
- Essential concepts and terminology within nutrition in emergencies: concepts and causes
- 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 nutrition in emergencies: concepts and causes to a realistic setting.
- 2
Anthropometry, screening and nutrition surveys
Weeks 6–10Examine anthropometry, screening and nutrition surveys as an evidence-to-decision process, from selecting suitable methods to interpreting and presenting findings.
What you cover
- Purpose, scope and ethical considerations for anthropometry, screening and nutrition surveys
- 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 anthropometry, screening and nutrition surveys.
- 3
Management of acute malnutrition (CMAM/OTP/SC)
Weeks 11–15Develop practical capability in management of acute malnutrition (CMAM/OTP/SC), linking roles, resources, decisions, accountability and review.
What you cover
- Roles, responsibilities and decision points in management of acute malnutrition (CMAM/OTP/SC)
- Planning tools, coordination arrangements and documentation
- Implementation monitoring, accountability and improvement
Assessed work: Draft a usable plan, workflow or decision brief for management of acute malnutrition (CMAM/OTP/SC).
- 4
Infant and young child feeding in emergencies
Weeks 16–20Study infant and young child feeding in emergencies in the context of health, Public Health & Safety, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
What you cover
- Essential concepts and terminology within infant and young child feeding in emergencies
- 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 infant and young child feeding in emergencies to a realistic setting.
- 5
Nutrition coordination, supply and reporting
Weeks 21–24Develop practical capability in nutrition coordination, supply and reporting, linking roles, resources, decisions, accountability and review.
What you cover
- Roles, responsibilities and decision points in nutrition coordination, supply and reporting
- Planning tools, coordination arrangements and documentation
- Implementation monitoring, accountability and improvement
Assessed work: Draft a usable plan, workflow or decision brief for nutrition coordination, supply and reporting.
Practical project / portfolio
Screening and case-management practical with supervised data analysis.
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: 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.
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.
- Strengthen performance in community health, facility support, safety, preparedness or programme-assistant roles.
- Use the practical project as evidence of applied professional development in your current workplace.
- Progress to related SLIHSD public-health, safety or emergency-management study where available.
Fees & enrolment
- • Indicative programme fee: SLE 3,500.
- • 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 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.