Humanitarian Academy

Protection

Protection Mainstreaming, PSEA and Child Safeguarding

The reflexes every aid worker needs: do no harm, refer, prevent and report abuse.

  • 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

  • Apply the four principles of protection mainstreaming in day-to-day work.
  • Respond appropriately to a person who discloses violence: psychological first aid and referral.
  • Know the IASC six core principles on PSEA, the obligation to report and child safeguarding rules.

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
ICRC · United Nations · IASC

💼 Protection jobs

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

See all 134 Protection 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:
  • Explain protection mainstreaming and the "do no harm" principle.
  • Know the IASC Six Core Principles on PSEA.
  • Know how to refer someone to a service without going beyond your role.
  1. Day1Protection in every activityWhat is protection mainstreaming? · Practical examples · Referring: the referral pathway · Responding to a disclosure: guiding principles and psychological first aid · Analysing the protection risks of an activity, step by step · Measuring protection mainstreaming: indicators and safety audits · Building and maintaining a referral pathway · Receiving a disclosure: detailed conduct, children and reporting obligations · Full example: mainstreaming protection in a distribution in Kalimbo · Common mistakes, donor expectations and contextual variations · Interview questions and key references Scenario: The Friday distribution
  2. Graded case study : A disclosure during a distribution Food distribution point · 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:
  • Analyse the protection risks of an activity and reduce them.
  • Set up safe and accessible reporting mechanisms.
  • Apply child safeguarding rules day to day.
  1. Day2PSEA and child safeguardingSexual exploitation and abuse: what are we talking about? · The IASC six core principles · Reporting and assisting · Child safeguarding · The PSEA normative framework in detail: texts, obligations and donor requirements · Analysing the sexual exploitation and abuse risks of a programme · Designing a safe and accessible reporting mechanism · Child safeguarding in practice: safer recruitment, activities, images and digital · Full example: rolling out PSEA in a cash transfer programme in Bekora · Common mistakes, auditor expectations and contextual variations · Interview questions and key references Scenario: A suspicion within the team
  2. Graded case study : Activities that expose people Education and distribution programme · 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:
  • Manage a PSEA system (focal point, investigations, victim assistance).
  • Handle a sensitive case using a survivor-centred approach.
  • Integrate protection into an organisation's strategy and advocacy.
  1. Day3Advanced module Managing PSEA and handling sensitive casesA PSEA system that works · The survivor-centred approach · Protection, strategy and advocacy · Governance of a PSEA system: roles, budget and management indicators · Handling an allegation from start to finish: receipt, investigation, decision, closure · Supporting the survivor: assistance, safety plan, children's consent · Full example: handling an allegation against a driver in Moranga · The inter-agency PSEA network, protection strategy and advocacy · Mistakes, the auditor's perspective, contextual variations and interview questions
  2. Graded case study : An allegation against a staff member Country office · 20 questions including a case study · 80% to pass

Who is it for?

All humanitarian staff, whatever their sector and position: field teams, drivers, guards, logisticians, managers, partners and volunteers.

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.

PSEA
Protection from sexual exploitation and abuse committed by humanitarian personnel.
Survivor-centred approach
Safety, confidentiality, respect for the survivor's choices and non-discrimination.
Referral
Directing a person to an appropriate service, with informed consent.
Protection mainstreaming
Safety, dignity, access and participation integrated into all sectors.
Unaccompanied child
A child separated from both parents and not cared for by any adult responsible for them.
Non-refoulement
The prohibition on returning a person to a country where they face a risk of persecution.
Psychological first aid
Basic support: listening, reassuring, informing, referring.
Safe space
A protected place for women and girls.

References and recommended reading

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

  1. ICRC (2024). Professional Standards for Protection Work (4th edition). www.icrc.org/fr/publication/0999-normes-professionnelles-pour-les-activites-de-protection
  2. United Nations (2003). Secretary-General's Bulletin ST/SGB/2003/13: Special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. www.un.org
  3. IASC (2015). Guidelines for Integrating Gender-Based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action. gbvguidelines.org/fr
  4. Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (2019). Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action. alliancecpha.org
  5. Sphere Association (2018). The Sphere Handbook: Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response. spherestandards.org/fr/manuel-2018