In a world of rising humanitarian crises and complex development challenges, the Afro-Brit CID Postgraduate Diploma in Global Humanitarian and Development Studies prepares you to lead with expertise and compassion. This comprehensive blended learning programme bridges the gap between emergency relief, recovery, and sustainable development, equipping participants with cutting-edge knowledge and real-world skills to make a meaningful impact globally. This is a comprehensive, practice-oriented programme designed to equip professionals with specialized knowledge and competencies for responding effectively to humanitarian crises and supporting sustainable development initiatives worldwide.
Recognizing the complex interlinkages between humanitarian relief and development, this programme offers a robust interdisciplinary curriculum that integrates emergency response strategies, post-crisis recovery, resilience-building, public health in complex emergencies, migration issues, humanitarian law, and sustainable development planning. Students will be trained to navigate and address the evolving challenges posed by armed conflicts, natural disasters, forced migration, and fragile governance systems, fostering a generation of humanitarian leaders and development practitioners capable of promoting global justice, peace, and sustainable livelihoods.
Learning Objectives and learning outcomes
By the end of the programme, students will be able to:
- Apply interdisciplinary knowledge and skills critical for humanitarian and development operations.
- Identify and promote standards of good practice in humanitarian assistance and sustainable development initiatives.
- Analyse the socio-political, economic, and environmental contexts underpinning humanitarian crises and development challenges.
- Design and implement effective early warning, crisis prevention, and resilience-building strategies.
- Foster dialogue and cooperation among governmental, non-governmental, and international agencies in humanitarian and development sectors.
- Formulate transition strategies that link emergency interventions with long-term recovery and development objectives.
- Critically apply humanitarian ethics, laws, and rights-based approaches in field contexts.
The programme spans 12 months (2 semesters) and is structured into key thematic modules:
Semester 1: Foundations of Humanitarianism and Development
The first semester will comprise of the following modules:
Module 1: Foundation and core principles of Global Humanitarian Action – This will lay the foundational and operational landscape of humanitarianism and development. Students will explore humanitarian principles and concepts, gaining a strong understanding of the values, ethics, and frameworks that underpin humanitarian action.
Module 2: The Humanitarian Arena: Political, Economic, and Social Contexts – This module will situate humanitarian work within broader global systems and dynamics.
Module 3: Public Health in Complex Emergencies, which delves into specialized areas including Communicable Disease Control, Food Security and Nutrition, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, and Reproductive Health and Sexual Violence Responses. This module will equip students with essential knowledge to address the multifaceted health challenges in crisis settings.
Module 4: International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights – Students will explore the legal instruments and their application in protecting affected populations. This module will help students to further deepen their legal and strategic acumen in the context of humanitarian and development work.
Module 5: The semester concludes with Emergency and Disaster Management – This module will cover both Risk Assessment and Vulnerability Analysis and Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, preparing students to anticipate, manage, and mitigate disasters and emergencies effectively.
Semester 2: Advanced Applications in Humanitarianism and Development
Building on foundational knowledge, the second semester emphasizes practical applications and strategic planning in humanitarian contexts. The modules will include
Module 6: Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Transition – This will focus on long-term recovery, including Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, and Demobilization, as well as Livelihoods, Economic Stabilization, and Post-Conflict Recovery, to foster sustainable community rebuilding.
Module 7: Migration and Forced Displacement – This will address critical issues surrounding Refugees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and Human Trafficking. This is complemented by a deeper look into conflict resolution through the Peacekeeping, Peace-building, and Conflict Resolution module, which provides tools for supporting peace processes and stability in post-crisis regions.
Module 8: Humanitarian Leadership, Ethics, and Management – This is the stage where students develop the skills to lead ethically and effectively in high-pressure humanitarian settings.
The semester culminates with Field Reporting, Communication Strategies, and Stakeholder Engagement, equipping students with the competencies to communicate clearly, report accurately, and engage constructively with diverse stakeholders in the field.
Research Project
- Research Proposal Writing
- Final Project Submission (accounts for 20% of the final grade)
Assignments
- Two (02) Essays on chosen topical issues (Continuous Assessment based on critical writing skills, constituting 50% of the final grade)
- 1 Final Exam (30% of the final grade)
Successful applicants into this programme must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or hold an equivalent professional qualification from a recognized institution. Proficiency in English is a requirement as the course is delivered in English. See the application form for details.
Graduates from this programme will be well-prepared for diverse professional roles, including but not limited to: Humanitarian Program Managers, Disaster Risk Reduction Specialists, Public Health Officers in Emergencies, Development Project Coordinators, Refugee and Migration Officers, Monitoring and Evaluation Officers, Humanitarian Affairs Officers, Policy Advisors in Humanitarian and Development Sectors, Peace-building and Conflict Resolution Facilitators and Humanitarian Communication and Advocacy Specialists.
