Humanitarian & Disaster Management
WASH Specialist in Emergencies and Humanitarian Settings
Advanced WASH programming for specialists leading emergency and recovery water and sanitation work.
View prospectus
Programme rationale
Advanced WASH programming for specialists leading emergency and recovery water and sanitation work. 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 | WASH assessment, design and technical options |
| 2 | Weeks 6–10 | Water systems, boreholes and distribution networks |
| 3 | Weeks 11–15 | Sanitation engineering in constrained settings |
| 4 | Weeks 16–20 | Outbreak WASH: cholera and diarrhoeal disease |
| 5 | Weeks 21–24 | WASH coordination, budgeting and quality assurance |
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:
- Lead the design of a multi-site WASH response
- Select appropriate technical WASH options
- Manage WASH quality, budget and coordination
Detailed modules
Each module below follows this programme’s published syllabus and contributes to the final practical work.
- 1
WASH assessment, design and technical options
Weeks 1–5Examine WASH assessment, design and technical options as an evidence-to-decision process, from selecting suitable methods to interpreting and presenting findings.
What you cover
- Purpose, scope and ethical considerations for WASH assessment, design and technical options
- 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 WASH assessment, design and technical options.
- 2
Water systems, boreholes and distribution networks
Weeks 6–10Develop practical capability in water systems, boreholes and distribution networks, linking roles, resources, decisions, accountability and review.
What you cover
- Roles, responsibilities and decision points in water systems, boreholes and distribution networks
- Planning tools, coordination arrangements and documentation
- Implementation monitoring, accountability and improvement
Assessed work: Draft a usable plan, workflow or decision brief for water systems, boreholes and distribution networks.
- 3
Sanitation engineering in constrained settings
Weeks 11–15Build hands-on competence in sanitation engineering in constrained settings through guided demonstrations, practice files and portfolio work.
What you cover
- Core tools and workflow for sanitation engineering in constrained settings
- Production standards, file management and responsible use
- Creating, reviewing and presenting a finished output
Assessed work: Complete a portfolio-ready output demonstrating sanitation engineering in constrained settings.
- 4
Outbreak WASH: cholera and diarrhoeal disease
Weeks 16–20Study outbreak WASH: cholera and diarrhoeal disease in the context of humanitarian & Disaster Management, connecting essential concepts with practical decisions and professional documentation.
What you cover
- Essential concepts and terminology within outbreak WASH: cholera and diarrhoeal disease
- 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 outbreak WASH: cholera and diarrhoeal disease to a realistic setting.
- 5
WASH coordination, budgeting and quality assurance
Weeks 21–24Develop practical capability in WASH coordination, budgeting and quality assurance, linking roles, resources, decisions, accountability and review.
What you cover
- Roles, responsibilities and decision points in WASH coordination, budgeting and quality assurance
- Planning tools, coordination arrangements and documentation
- Implementation monitoring, accountability and improvement
Assessed work: Draft a usable plan, workflow or decision brief for WASH coordination, budgeting and quality assurance.
Practical project / portfolio
Full WASH response design assignment with budget and monitoring plan.
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: Full WASH response design assignment with budget and monitoring plan.
- • 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 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 WASH 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.