Effective humanitarian response and development programming require effective leadership. But what does leadership look like in the context of the complex and challenging environments within which human rights, humanitarian and development workers operate? What leadership competencies are important, and how can they be developed? Leaders have the capacity for informed effective action. This requires an understanding of contexts and trends, the development of self-awareness, and the ability to model and encourage adaptation.

Course objectives

This e-learning course is geared toward emerging leaders of local, national, and international humanitarian and development organisations, as well as those with a general interest in the topic of leadership in these contexts. The course reviews leadership models and applies them to the specific challenges of humanitarian and field-based development work. Current analyses and case studies of leadership in the humanitarian and development sectors will be explored and discussed. You will be encouraged to reflect on your own leadership values and strengths, and develop a personal leadership action plan. You will have a chance to explore models of leadership, compare those against individual values and competencies, and identify and begin to practice leadership skills.

You will:

• describe and define leadership, and the specific leadership requirements of humanitarian crises;
• analyse leadership models relevant to operational leadership in humanitarian crises;
• identify and summarise key risks to, and innovations in, the humanitarian field and consider what they mean for leadership;
• identify effective communication for the operational leader and the essential skill of asking questions and listening;
• define and assess individual values and leadership competencies and their connection to effective humanitarian action;
• develop a plan for continued learning and leadership development.

Course format

This certificate course involves approximately 30 hours of reading, discussion, video lectures, live classroom sessions, quizzes and one written assignment, and is offered over a six-week period. The course includes weekly 90-minute (Zoom) live classroom sessions (on Thursday’s from 14h00-15h30 UTC/GMT) with the course instructor and/or guests experts. The course is based on a participatory, active learning approach, with an emphasis on critical reflection and peer-to-peer learning. Participants will do the required readings, prepare a written assignments and participate in group discussions. Case studies will be used to enable interactive learning and activities. The maximum number of course participants is 25. Students who successfully complete the course will receive a Certificate of Participation.

Course outline

Week 1: Models and significance of leadership
Week 2: Diagnosis and contextual analysis as critical skills
Week 3: The importance of relationships, networks, and communication
Week 4: Questions, decisions, and failure – the leader’s role
Week 5: Adaptive and invitational leadership
Week 6: Values, competencies, and the learning leader