Humanitarian Academy

Coordination

Humanitarian coordination and clusters: working together in a response

OCHA, clusters, 4W, response plans: find your place and make your voice heard in a coordinated response.

  • 3 days · 18 hours
  • 3 levels · 3 certificates
  • 2 scenarios
  • Verifiable certificate
Start the course
  • Free, unlimited access
  • 3 one-day modules
  • 2 scenarios and 9 quiz questions
  • 3 graded case studies and 3 exams
  • Certificate in your name, verifiable online

What you will learn

  • Describe who coordinates what in a humanitarian response and how decisions are made.
  • Contribute effectively to a cluster: 4W, gap analysis, standards, response plan and funding.
  • Facilitate a useful coordination meeting and uphold the principles in relations with the authorities and the military.

Course information

Level
Beginner → Intermediate → Advanced (one certificate per level)
Study time
18 hours over 3 days (lessons, case studies, exercises)
Format
Online, at your own pace, free and unlimited access
Assessment
Per level: graded case study + 20-question exam (30 to 40 min, pass marks 70%, 75% and 80%)
Credential
Named, numbered certificate of achievement, verifiable online (QR code)
Reference frameworks
OCHA / IASC · IASC · IASC

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A 3-level certification pathway

Progress from Beginner to Advanced. Each level ends with a graded case study and a timed exam, and leads to its own verifiable certificate.

Level 1Beginner

Exam: 20 questions · 30 min · 70% to pass

Beginner certificate

By the end of this level, you will be able to:
  • Describe the coordination architecture: HC, HCT, OCHA, clusters.
  • Know the clusters, their lead agencies and the basic tools (4W).
  • Understand the humanitarian programme cycle (HPC).
  1. Day1The coordination architectureWhy coordinate? · Who coordinates? · The clusters · The humanitarian programme cycle · Activating, adapting and deactivating clusters: rules and procedure · Mapping the coordination of a response: a method for your first ten days · The humanitarian programme cycle step by step: timeline, analysis and the role of NGOs · Full example: floods in a protracted crisis, from scenario to cluster costing · Common mistakes, contextual variations and the evaluators' perspective · Interview questions and key references Scenario: An earthquake, 48 hours on
  2. Graded case study : First cluster meeting Food Security cluster, provincial level · 20 questions including a case study · 70% to pass
Level 2Intermediate

Exam: 20 questions · 30 min · 75% to pass

Intermediate certificate · Opens after the Beginner certificate

By the end of this level, you will be able to:
  • Take an active part in a cluster: data sharing, prioritisation, advocacy.
  • Contribute to the needs overview (HNO) and the response plan (HRP).
  • Coordinate a response at sub-national level.
  1. Day2Working in a cluster and coordinating in the fieldThe cluster's tools · A useful coordination meeting · Authorities, the military and local actors · Cluster information management: the 4W step by step · Full example: from the coverage map to the decision to reorient · Preparing, facilitating and following up a coordination meeting: the complete method · Authorities and armed forces: rules, criteria and practical tools · Common mistakes, contextual variations and the donors' perspective · Interview questions and key references Scenario: The offer of a military escort
  2. Graded case study : Prioritising with limited resources Preparing the response plan (HRP) · 20 questions including a case study · 75% to pass
Level 3Advanced

Exam: 20 questions · 40 min · 80% to pass

Advanced certificate · Opens after the Intermediate certificate

By the end of this level, you will be able to:
  • Lead a cluster or working group (NGO co-facilitation).
  • Arbitrate priorities and the allocation of a pooled fund.
  • Advance localisation in coordination.
  1. Day3Advanced module Leading coordination and influencing decisionsLeading a cluster or working group · Pooled funds and response plans as levers · Localisation: sharing power · Leading a cluster: governance, standards and accountability of coordination · Country-based pooled funds and the CERF: the allocation cycle step by step · Full example: the strategic review of a sectoral envelope · Collective advocacy and prioritization when money is short · Localization of coordination: moving from principles to practice · Interview questions and key references
  2. Graded case study : Co-facilitating a cluster and allocating a pooled fund National WASH cluster · 20 questions including a case study · 80% to pass

Who is it for?

Project managers, programme coordinators, NGO representatives at clusters, future cluster coordinators or co-facilitators, and national NGO staff who want to carry weight in coordination.

The certificate

With at least 70% correct answers in the final assessment, you receive a certificate in your name, with a unique code that recruiters can verify on Humanitaires Jobs. A free Humanitarian Network account is required.

Key concepts

The vocabulary you need to master for this course and the exam.

Cluster
A sectoral group of humanitarian actors coordinated by a lead agency.
Provider of last resort
The lead agency's commitment to filling critical gaps.
4W / 3W
A “who does what, where, when” matrix used to identify duplication and gaps.
HNO / HRP
The country's Humanitarian Needs Overview and Humanitarian Response Plan.
Humanitarian Country Team (HCT)
Strategic body chaired by the Humanitarian Coordinator.
ICCG
Inter-cluster coordination group that links the clusters.
CBPF
Humanitarian pooled funds managed at country level.
CMCoord
Civil-military coordination that preserves humanitarian space.

References and recommended reading

The official texts and sector reference works on which the course is based.

  1. OCHA / IASC (2023). Humanitarian Programme Cycle: reference documents. www.humanitarianresponse.info
  2. IASC (2024). Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) reference documents. interagencystandingcommittee.org
  3. IASC (2015). Reference Module for Cluster Coordination at Country Level. interagencystandingcommittee.org
  4. OCHA (2007). Oslo Guidelines and MCDA Guidelines on the use of military assets. www.unocha.org