Course Details

PMD Pro and CERAH Mini‑Prep Workshops Training Course

Introduction
With increasing demands for professionalism, accountability, and evidence-based practice in humanitarian and development projects, organizations are turning to internationally recognized certifications to strengthen capacity and credibility. The PMD Pro and CERAH Mini Prep Workshops Training Course is a dual-focused, intensive 10-day program designed to prepare NGO professionals for success in two critical areas: Project Management for Development Professionals (PMD Pro) and foundational training aligned with the Geneva Centre of Education and Research in Humanitarian Action (CERAH). This course offers a streamlined pathway to mastering best practices in project cycle management, humanitarian standards, and field coordination.

Tailored for field practitioners, program officers, and those preparing for certification or further study, the course covers core PMD Pro methodologies while introducing CERAH-aligned competencies such as accountability, ethics, humanitarian principles, and quality assurance. Participants will benefit from practice exams, interactive case studies, and real-world simulations to reinforce their learning and readiness. By bridging project management and humanitarian action, this workshop prepares professionals to deliver with impact in dynamic and often fragile contexts.

Duration

10 Days
Target Audience

• Project and program officers in NGOs and INGOs
• Humanitarian field staff and technical leads
• M&E and quality assurance personnel
• Professionals preparing for PMD Pro certification
• Staff interested in CERAH-based humanitarian studies

Course Objectives

• Prepare participants for PMD Pro certification through applied learning
• Build foundational knowledge of humanitarian action based on CERAH’s core modules
• Strengthen project cycle management, risk planning, and stakeholder engagement
• Understand the ethical, operational, and coordination dimensions of humanitarian work
• Enhance readiness for further humanitarian academic or professional development

Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction to PMD Pro and CERAH Frameworks

• Overview of PMD Pro structure and principles
• Introduction to CERAH and humanitarian academic models
• Bridging development and humanitarian contexts
• Certification pathways and learning goals
• Course expectations and roadmap

Module 2: The Project Life Cycle in Development and Humanitarian Work

• Conceptualizing project life cycles across sectors
• Key phases: Identification, Design, Implementation, Closure
• How humanitarian emergencies impact project flow
• CERAH principles of responsiveness and agility
• Integrating adaptive management

Module 3: Project Design and Logical Frameworks

• Crafting problem and objective trees
• Developing logical frameworks and results chains
• Aligning indicators with humanitarian standards
• Integrating Sphere, Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS)
• Building participatory design processes

Module 4: Risk Management and Scenario Planning

• Identifying and analyzing internal and external risks
• Risk matrices and mitigation strategies
• Scenario planning for fragile and volatile settings
• Using PMD Pro risk tools
• Ethics and security considerations in CERAH contexts

Module 5: Stakeholder Engagement and Accountability

• Stakeholder mapping and analysis
• Inclusion, power, and equity in humanitarian engagement
• Communicating with affected populations
• Feedback and complaint mechanisms
• Building trust through accountability practices

Module 6: Work Planning and Scheduling

• Developing project work breakdown structures (WBS)
• Gantt charts and milestone tracking
• Time management tools from PMD Pro
• Adjusting plans in complex emergencies
• CERAH-aligned adaptive planning models

Module 7: Budgeting and Resource Management

• Basic budgeting aligned to project outcomes
• Donor compliance and audit readiness
• Humanitarian finance practices
• Resource allocation during crisis
• Linking budgets to MEAL frameworks

Module 8: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)

• Building MEAL systems into PMD Pro planning
• CERAH’s role of evidence in humanitarian programming
• Using learning loops for course correction
• Data quality and ethical considerations
• Harmonizing MEAL and donor reporting

Module 9: Team Leadership and Coordination in the Field

• Building and leading effective project teams
• Cluster coordination systems and CERAH frameworks
• Managing multicultural and cross-functional teams
• Delegation and accountability
• Staff well-being and burnout prevention

Module 10: Humanitarian Principles and Ethics

• Overview of humanitarian principles and legal frameworks
• Neutrality, impartiality, independence, and humanity
• Ethical dilemmas in field operations
• CHS commitments and minimum standards
• Integrating ethics in project decisions

Module 11: Quality and Compliance Standards

• PMD Pro quality management strategies
• Linking CERAH ethics to CHS and Sphere standards
• Designing for sustainability and long-term impact
• Internal control and donor requirements
• Real-world examples of quality assurance failures

Module 12: Certification Preparation and Final Simulation

• PMD Pro mock exam and feedback
• CERAH-style group simulation exercise
• Peer learning and role play
• Action planning for post-training development
• Certification support and resource toolkit

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