Practical Project Management in Humanitarian and Development Contexts

Navigate emergencies, manage resources, and deliver impact with practical tools. Online certificate course.

Free for Academy members | Go to Academy →

Self-Study Certificate Course
Start: Immediate Access
Time: Typically 25-35 hours to complete

Turning Experience into Results

Many humanitarian and development professionals bring strong technical expertise and field experience to their work. However, without systematic project management skills, even experienced practitioners struggle with the complexity of managing a project. Since projects are interconnected systems, one delay or change can cascade through budgets, timelines, and outcomes. Common challenges include:

  • Managing by instinct rather than proven methodologies
  • Difficulty translating field knowledge into formal plans and budgets
  • Struggling with the shift from doing the work to managing the work
  • Lack of frameworks for coordinating multiple stakeholders
  • Uncertainty about adaptive management when contexts change

This practical training provides the systematic project management foundation that humanitarian and development professionals need, whether you're transitioning into management or seeking to strengthen your existing practice. You'll develop practical tools and frameworks that complement your experience while building confidence across the full project cycle. Through this training, you'll be able to:

  • Manage proactively rather than reactively
  • Master the complete project cycle from initiation through evaluation
  • Develop competencies in budgeting, monitoring, and reporting
  • Build confidence in strategic planning and stakeholder coordination
  • Integrate best practices into your management approach
  • Apply adaptive management when contexts shift

How You'll Learn

This self-paced course combines video lessons, practical exercises, and assessments:

  • Video presentations with downloadable transcripts and handouts
  • Practical templates and tasks for immediate application
  • Reflection exercises to adapt concepts to your context
  • End-of-module knowledge checks
  • Certificate upon completion

Course developed and presented by Neil Kendrick, founder of ELD Impact, with 25+ years of experience training humanitarian professionals across 20+ countries

Program Overview

Click any module to see content

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Welcome to the Course
2 lessons
  • Getting Started
  • Pre-Course Self-Assessment: Rate Your Current Skills
+
Introduction to Project Management
8 lessons
  • Resources
  • The Project Cycle
  • Project Cycle Case Studies
  • Project Management in Humanitarian & Development Contexts
  • The Project Cycle: Guided Exercise
  • Conclusions & Key Learning
  • Progress Assessment
  • Reflection & Application
+
Context-specific Challenges in Relief, Humanitarian & Development Work
7 lessons
  • Resources
  • Navigating Complex Environments
  • Case Study: Coordinating in a Conflict Zone
  • Case Study: Adapting to Limited Resources
  • Exercise: Project Challenges & Mitigation
  • Progress Assessment
  • Reflection & Application
+
Essential Project Management Tools
7 lessons
  • Resources
  • Introduction to the Key Tools for Managers
  • Logical Frameworks
  • Project Timelines
  • Resource Planning
  • Risk Management
  • Progress Assessment
  • Reflection & Application
+
Monitoring & Evaluation
8 lessons
  • Resources
  • Introduction to Monitoring & Evaluation
  • Data Collection Methods & Triangulation
  • Monitoring Reports
  • How to Conduct Monitoring Reporting
  • M&E Planning
  • Conclusions & Key Learning
  • Progress Assessment
  • Reflection & Application
+
Budgeting & Resource Allocation
5 lessons
  • Resources
  • Budgeting Basics
  • Managing Humanitarian Budgets
  • Humanitarian Budgeting: Practical Exercise
  • Progress Assessment
  • Reflection & Application
+
Stakeholder Engagement
8 lessons
  • Resources
  • Introduction to Stakeholder Engagement
  • Stakeholder Mapping
  • The Power-Interest Matrix
  • Stakeholder Communication
  • Engaging Communities in Project Planning
  • Recap and Practical Exercise
  • Progress Assessment
  • Reflection & Application
+
Adaptive Thinking & Problem Solving
6 lessons
  • Resources
  • Common Challenges in Humanitarian Contexts
  • Managing Changes & Problem-solving Approaches
  • Case Studies & Simulation Exercise
  • Adaptive Management Recap
  • Progress Assessment
  • Reflection & Application
+
Wrapping Up
5 lessons
  • Resources
  • Review of Key Concepts
  • Final Self-Assessment: Reflect on Your Learning and Growth
  • Action Planning
  • Course Discussion Forum
  • Your Next Steps

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