Humanitarian Studies & Social Development
- Description
- Curriculum
The Diploma in Humanitarian Studies and Social Development (PanafDip.) is a professional training program designed to equip learners with the knowledge, practical skills, and ethical frameworks required to work effectively in humanitarian aid, social development, and community empowerment initiatives.
Rooted in African realities but aligned with global standards, the program covers the theories, practices, tools, and innovations shaping humanitarian and development work today. Learners are guided through the full cycle of development programming—from needs assessment to project design, implementation, evaluation, policy advocacy, governance, and humanitarian action.
Upon completion, graduates are awarded the prestigious PanafDip. designation, recognizing them as competent professionals ready to contribute to sustainable, accountable, and people-centered development practices across Africa and beyond.
Program Objectives
By the end of the course, learners will be able to:
Understand the principles and frameworks of humanitarian studies and development practice.
Apply practical tools such as logframes, M&E matrices, capacity-building frameworks, and sustainability checklists.
Design and manage effective humanitarian and social development programs.
Engage in advocacy and policy dialogue to influence governance and social change.
Promote accountability, ethics, and transparency in humanitarian and development work.
Anticipate trends and embrace innovation in development practice.
Course Modules
Module 1: Foundations of Humanitarian Studies and Social Development
• Theories, concepts, and frameworks.
Module 2: International Development Frameworks
• SDGs, international charters, and global governance.
Module 3: Social Development Approaches
• Rights-based, participatory, and sustainable models.
Module 4: Humanitarian Principles and Practice
• Ethics, neutrality, impartiality, and humanitarian law.
Module 5: Gender, Equity, and Inclusion in Development
• Mainstreaming equity and social justice.
Module 6: Community Development Approaches
• Participatory methods, local ownership, empowerment.
Module 7: Program Design, Implementation, and Evaluation
• PCM, M&E frameworks, sustainability tools.
Module 8: Resource Mobilization and Partnership Development
• Fundraising, donor relations, NGO–government partnerships.
Module 9: Capacity Building and Training for Development Practitioners
• Training needs analysis, facilitation, and evaluation.
Module 10: Advocacy, Policy Engagement, and Governance
• Rights-based advocacy, influencing policy change.
Module 11: Contemporary Issues and the Future of Development
• Humanitarian action, global trends, innovation in practice.
Assessment and Certification
• Continuous Assessment: Assignments, case studies, reflections.
• Final Examination: Multiple-choice and applied project tasks.
• Capstone Project: Application of program design, advocacy, or humanitarian response.
Learners who successfully complete all requirements will be awarded:
🎓 Diploma in Humanitarian Studies and Social Development (PanafDip.)
Professional Recognition
Graduates are entitled to use the post-nominal title “PanafDip.” after their names.
Example:
• Jane Doe, PanafDip.
• Ahmed Musa, PanafDip.
This title reflects professional competency, ethical standards, and academic achievement in humanitarian and social development practice.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the program can pursue roles such as:
• Humanitarian program officer
• Development project manager
• Community mobilizer
• Policy and advocacy officer
• Monitoring and evaluation specialist
• Social development consultant
✨ Empowering Development Leaders for Africa and Beyond.
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1Lesson 1.1 – Defining HumanitarianismPDF lesson
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2Lesson 1.2 – Historical and Global PerspectivesPDF lesson
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3Lesson 1.3 – Humanitarian Principles and EthicsPDF lesson
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4Lesson 1.4 – Stakeholders in Humanitarian ManagementPDF lesson
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5Lesson 1.5: Humanitarian Coordination MechanismsPDF lesson
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6Lesson 1.6: Humanitarian FinancingPDF lesson
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12Lesson 3.1 – Emergency Response and Disaster Relief1h
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13Lesson 3.2: Refugees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and Migration Issues2h
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14Lesson 3.3: Public Health in Humanitarian Contexts2h
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15Lesson 3.4 – Nutrition and Food Security in Humanitarian Settings2h
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16Lesson 3.5: Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in Humanitarian Contexts2h
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17Lesson 3.6: Shelter and Settlement Planning in Humanitarian Contexts2h
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18Lesson 3.7: Protection and Human Rights in Humanitarian Contexts2h
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23Lesson 5.1 – Organizational Structure and Governance of NGOs2h
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24Lesson 5.2: Strategic Planning for NGOsText lesson
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25Lesson 5.3: Community Needs AssessmentText lesson
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26Lesson 5.4: Community MobilizationText lesson
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27Lesson 5.5 – Donor Relations and Grant ManagementText lesson
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28Lesson 5.6: Financial Accountability and TransparencyText lesson
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29Module 6: Community Development and Social ChangeText lesson
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30Lesson 6.2: Approaches to Community DevelopmentText lesson
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31Lesson 6.3: Community Mobilization and ParticipationText lesson
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32Lesson 6.4: Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD)Text lesson
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33Lesson 6.5: Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)Text lesson
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34Lesson 6.6: Community-Driven Development (CDD)Text lesson
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35Lesson 6.7: Gender and Community DevelopmentText lesson
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36Lesson 6.8: Youth and Community DevelopmentText lesson
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37Lesson 6.9: Partnerships and Networks in Community DevelopmentText lesson
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38Lesson 6.10: Challenges and Critical Reflections in Community DevelopmentText lesson
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Introduces principles of humanitarian action and social development.
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Provides practical knowledge in NGO management and fundraising.
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Examines humanitarian logistics, disaster response, and crisis management.
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Targeted at students, NGO staff, volunteers, and professionals pursuing impact-driven careers.
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Participants may append the professional designation PanafDip. after successful completion.
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Explores global humanitarian frameworks, ethics, and international law.
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Basic Education: Minimum high school qualification.
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Devices & Internet: Access to a phone/computer with reliable internet.
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English Proficiency: Ability to read and write in English.
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Time Commitment: 3–5 study hours per week.
• Development practitioners
• NGO staff and volunteers
• Humanitarian aid workers
• Social entrepreneurs
• Policy makers and advocates
• Students and graduates aspiring to work in international development or humanitarian fields
Archive
Working hours
| Monday | 9:30 am - 6.00 pm |
| Tuesday | 9:30 am - 6.00 pm |
| Wednesday | 9:30 am - 6.00 pm |
| Thursday | 9:30 am - 6.00 pm |
| Friday | 9:30 am - 5.00 pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |