Humanitarian Academy

Programme management

Humanitarian Project Management: Scoping, Planning, Managing and Closing

Scope, plan, steer and close a humanitarian project, even when everything changes.

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

What you will learn

  • Describe the phases of a humanitarian project and the role of the project manager.
  • Build a work plan (WBS, Gantt chart, critical path), a RACI matrix and a risk register.
  • Manage implementation (changes, issues, team) and close the project, drawing out lessons learned.

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
PM4NGOs · European Commission · CHS Alliance, Groupe URD, Sphere

💼 Programme management jobs

Put this course into practice: the latest jobs in this field.

See all 1126 Programme management jobs →

Prepare for the written test and interviewA model written test in this field, interview questions with sample answers and the STAR method.See the model test →

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 project cycle and the project manager's role.
  • Write a project statement (objectives, scope, stakeholders).
  • Read a Gantt chart and a risk register.
  1. Day1Scoping the projectProject, programme and the role of the project manager · The phases of the project cycle · Stakeholders · The triple constraint · From needs assessment to intervention logic · The project charter in detail and governance · In-depth stakeholder analysis and accountability · Full case study: scoping the Kalema WASH project · Common mistakes, the donor's perspective and variations by context · Interview questions and key references Scenario: Launching a project after floods
  2. Graded case study : Launching a temporary schools project Refugee hosting area · 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:
  • Build a work breakdown structure and a realistic schedule.
  • Draw up a responsibility matrix (RACI) and a communication plan.
  • Analyse risks (probability × impact) and plan responses.
  1. Day2Planning: work, schedule, responsibilities and risksBreaking down the work (WBS) · Gantt chart and critical path · Who does what: the RACI matrix · Risk register · Building a usable WBS and estimating the work · Calculating the critical path and building a realistic schedule · Budget, procurement plan and resource plan · An operational RACI and advanced risk management · Full case study: the integrated plan for the Kalema project · Common mistakes, variations by context and donor expectations · Interview questions and key references Scenario: The delay in international procurement
  2. Graded case study : The slipping schedule Water supply project, month 4 of 14 · 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:
  • Steer a project in crisis: variances, scope changes and trade-offs.
  • Manage changes through a formal procedure with the donor.
  • Close a project: lessons learned, handover and sustainability.
  1. Day3Managing implementation and closingMonitoring progress · Managing changes · Team and remote management · Closing the project · A monitoring system that raises the alarm: dashboard, thresholds and earned value · Change control and contract amendments · Leading the team, the partner and remote implementation · Closing: operations, contract, finance and learning · Full case study: managing and closing the Kalema project · Common mistakes, the auditor's perspective and variations by context · Interview questions and key references Scenario: Access cut off at mid-term
  2. Graded case study : A changing context mid-project Livelihoods project, month 9 of 18 · 20 questions including a case study · 80% to pass

Who is it for?

Project managers, programme assistants and coordinators, managers of national NGOs and anyone taking charge of a project in the field.

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.

Project cycle
Identification, design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and closure.
Critical path
The sequence of tasks in which any delay pushes back the project end date.
RACI matrix
Allocation of roles: responsible, accountable, consulted, informed.
Scope creep
Uncontrolled expansion of the project's content without additional resources.
Adaptive management
Documented adjustment of the project according to monitoring data and the context.
Burn rate
The pace at which the budget is spent over time.
Risk register
A list of risks with probability, impact, measures and owner.
Closure
Handover of assets, archiving, final report and communication with stakeholders.

References and recommended reading

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

  1. PM4NGOs (2020). A Guide to the PMD Pro: Project Management for Development Professionals. www.pm4ngos.org
  2. European Commission (2004). Project Cycle Management Guidelines. international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu
  3. CHS Alliance, Groupe URD, Sphere (2024). Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS). www.corehumanitarianstandard.org
  4. ALNAP (2022). The State of the Humanitarian System (report). www.alnap.org