Course Details

Quality Management in Humanitarian Projects (CERAH style) Training Course

Introduction
In the high-stakes environment of humanitarian response, quality management is essential to ensure interventions are effective, accountable, and aligned with internationally recognized standards. The Quality Management in Humanitarian Projects (CERAH Style) Training Course draws inspiration from best practices in humanitarian education, including the Geneva Centre of Education and Research in Humanitarian Action (CERAH), to build core competencies in quality assurance, project planning, and performance improvement. This course provides participants with a structured approach to embedding quality management principles into humanitarian project design, implementation, and evaluation.

Spanning 10 days, this immersive training emphasizes evidence-based tools, people-centered approaches, and quality frameworks such as the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), Sphere Standards, and Results-Based Management (RBM). It is tailored for NGO professionals and humanitarian workers seeking to build resilient systems, improve field coordination, and elevate the standards of delivery in complex emergencies. Participants will leave with practical knowledge and tools to promote continuous learning, manage risk, and ensure accountability to affected populations and donors alike.

Duration

10 Days
Target Audience

• Humanitarian project and program managers
• M&E and quality assurance officers
• Field coordinators and technical advisors
• Donor agency and compliance personnel
• Humanitarian researchers and policy planners

Course Objectives

• Understand key quality frameworks and principles in humanitarian action
• Apply CHS, Sphere, and other global standards to project implementation
• Design projects that prioritize accountability, effectiveness, and relevance
• Monitor, evaluate, and improve the quality of project outcomes
• Promote organizational learning and continuous improvement in crisis contexts

Course Modules

Module 1: Foundations of Quality Management in Humanitarian Work

• Definition and dimensions of quality in humanitarian response
• Importance of quality for credibility and effectiveness
• Principles of accountability, relevance, and efficiency
• The role of quality in donor and beneficiary trust
• Introduction to the humanitarian quality management cycle

Module 2: Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) Framework

• Overview of CHS commitments and performance indicators
• Aligning project planning with CHS standards
• CHS in partner and community relations
• Self-assessment and certification processes
• Embedding CHS into organizational culture

Module 3: Sphere Standards and Sectoral Quality Benchmarks

• Minimum standards for water, shelter, food, and health
• Contextualizing Sphere in different humanitarian settings
• Using Sphere for gap analysis and project planning
• Community involvement in standard setting
• Measuring adherence to Sphere standards

Module 4: Needs Assessment and Evidence-Based Planning

• Designing quality-driven needs assessments
• Data collection tools and validation methods
• Integrating participatory approaches
• Prioritization and targeting using needs data
• Risk analysis and mitigation in assessments

Module 5: Project Design Using Quality Management Principles

• Linking problem analysis to results frameworks
• Setting SMART and quality-focused indicators
• Integrating cross-cutting themes (gender, inclusion, environment)
• Logical frameworks and theory of change models
• Budgeting with quality assurance in mind

Module 6: Risk and Compliance Management in Humanitarian Projects

• Identifying and assessing project risks
• Integrating risk controls into implementation
• Donor compliance and contractual obligations
• Ethical and financial governance considerations
• Tools for risk tracking and early warning

Module 7: Quality in Implementation and Service Delivery

• Operationalizing standards at field level
• Quality assurance in procurement and logistics
• Managing staff performance and supervision
• Adaptive management and course correction
• Checklists and tools for field quality control

Module 8: Monitoring for Quality and Learning

• Quality-driven monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems
• Designing quality indicators and tracking tools
• Beneficiary feedback and community-based monitoring
• Real-time data use for quality improvement
• MEL frameworks that support adaptive learning

Module 9: Complaints Handling and Accountability Mechanisms

• Setting up safe and accessible complaints systems
• Cultural considerations and data protection
• Linking complaints to organizational change
• Ensuring follow-up and resolution protocols
• Role of accountability in improving project quality

Module 10: Evaluating Humanitarian Project Performance

• Planning internal and external evaluations
• Criteria for quality: relevance, effectiveness, sustainability
• Conducting participatory evaluations with communities
• Using evaluation findings for learning and funding
• Writing quality-focused evaluation reports

Module 11: Organizational Learning and Knowledge Management

• Capturing lessons learned and good practices
• After-action reviews and reflection processes
• Promoting a learning culture in humanitarian teams
• Integrating learning into project cycles
• Leveraging technology for knowledge sharing

Module 12: Quality Management Leadership and Strategy

• Building institutional commitment to quality
• Developing quality management strategies and policies
• Staff training and capacity development
• Leadership for ethical and accountable programming
• Continuous quality improvement models in humanitarian settings

CERTIFICATION

• Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

• Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

• Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com