Program on Humanitarian Leadership
May 1-5, 2017 in Nairobi, Kenya
From conflicts to natural disasters, humanitarian agencies are at the forefront of providing life-saving aid to populations in need. Negotiating access to these populations and ensuring that aid is delivered in a manner that respects humanitarian norms and international law is no easy task. This work requires strong leadership and strategic vision. Yet, few humanitarian professionals have access to leadership training programs.
That’s why Concern Worldwide, in consortium with International Medical Corps (IMC) and the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI) and with technical support from Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health have developed the Program on Humanitarian Leadership (PHL). The program, funded by the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, utilizes innovative pedagogies to combine a rigorous academic curriculum with practical experiential learning including mentorship, field assignments and a limited number of field placements.
PHL is designed for exceptional humanitarian professionals working for non-governmental or community-based organizations in humanitarian settings. The ideal participant will aspire to take on decision-making and management responsibilities in the humanitarian sector.
By the end of this learning process, PHL participants will have the skills, knowledge, and confidence to take on leadership responsibilities within a variety of humanitarian organizations, ultimately improving the delivery of services to those in need of humanitarian assistance.
What are the learning objectives & expected outcomes of PHL?
By the end of this learning process, PHL participants will have the skills, knowledge, and confidence to take on leadership responsibilities within a variety of humanitarian organizations, ultimately improving the delivery of services to those in need of humanitarian assistance. The overall learning objectives are to:
- Strengthen leadership skills to improve decision-making and coordination
- Increase knowledge to optimize current humanitarian programming and strategic vision
- Contribute to building a network of humanitarian leaders and promote the development of a community of practice
Eligibility Requirements
All participants of PHL must meet a standard set of minimum requirements, including:
- A demonstrated interest in pursuing a leadership role in the humanitarian sector
- The ability to speak, read, and write English with proficiency
- A Bachelors degree or a comparable academic or professional qualification
- Availability to participate in the course (including the in-person training, distance learning and experiential learning highlighted above)
- Permission of either your employer (for professionals) or academic supervisor (for graduate students) to participate in all aspects of the program
- Attainment of a mid-level position in a non-governmental or community-based organization
- Experience in at least one or more humanitarian emergency situations
- Aspiration to take on leadership roles in and have a commitment to the humanitarian sector
- A passport that is valid for at least six months after the date of the May in-person training course
What is the cost?
All costs required to participate in the in-person leadership
training course (i.e., course fees, round-trip flight to Kenya,
accommodation and meals during the in-person training only) will be
covered by PHL.
