Chief Executives on Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management

Introduction

The Chief Executives Workshop on Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management is a specialized training program designed to build the strategic capabilities of senior leaders responsible for directing humanitarian response, disaster preparedness, crisis recovery, and resilience building. As natural and man-made disasters increase in scale and frequency, top-level leadership in humanitarian management and emergency response has never been more critical.

This course provides executive-level insights into disaster risk reduction (DRR), humanitarian coordination mechanisms, emergency logistics, and adaptive leadership in complex crises. With a focus on global best practices and real-time decision-making, participants will gain expertise in managing multi-sectoral disaster responses, formulating national and institutional emergency plans, and leveraging technology for early warning systems and rapid response.

Participants will explore humanitarian architecture, including the Cluster Approach, donor coordination, and frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, SPHERE Standards, and the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus. The program emphasizes data-driven decision-making, inter-agency collaboration, and ethical leadership in humanitarian operations, ensuring preparedness and agility in responding to crises.

Through case studies, simulations, and strategic planning exercises, the course equips executives with tools to enhance their organization’s capacity in disaster resilience, emergency preparedness, humanitarian policy, and resource mobilization. This training empowers decision-makers to lead effective and sustainable responses to natural disasters, pandemics, displacement, conflict, and climate-induced emergencies.

Course Objectives

1. Enhance strategic leadership in humanitarian response and disaster management.
2. Analyze global humanitarian systems, principles, and legal frameworks.
3. Develop institutional disaster preparedness and risk reduction plans.
4. Improve coordination with UN agencies, NGOs, and government partners.
5. Integrate climate resilience into humanitarian planning.
6. Utilize early warning systems and real-time data for decision-making.
7. Strengthen logistics, supply chain, and financial management during crises.
8. Address protection, gender, and inclusion in disaster response.
9. Promote ethical leadership and transparency in humanitarian aid.
10. Formulate post-disaster recovery and reconstruction strategies.

Organizational Benefits

1. Improved institutional readiness for emergencies and disasters.
2. Strengthened leadership capacity in humanitarian and disaster risk management.
3. Enhanced credibility through alignment with international humanitarian standards.
4. Increased efficiency in crisis coordination and response logistics.
5. Access to global tools, templates, and frameworks for emergency management.
6. Integration of risk reduction into organizational planning and operations.
7. Capacity to manage donor relations and humanitarian financing.
8. Greater inclusion and protection for vulnerable populations.
9. Reduced financial and reputational risk through proactive disaster planning.
10. Stronger networks with humanitarian actors, donors, and governments.

Target Participants

• Chief Executive Officers and Directors General
• Heads of humanitarian organizations and UN agencies
• Senior government officials in disaster response and civil protection
• NGO and INGO Executive Directors
• Program Directors and Emergency Response Managers
• Leaders of donor and philanthropic organizations
• Security and crisis risk managers
• Policy makers and senior advisors in climate resilience
• Development cooperation and humanitarian affairs specialists
• Strategic planners in disaster recovery and reconstruction

Course Outline

Module 1: Humanitarian Affairs Frameworks and Principles

1. Overview of global humanitarian architecture
2. Humanitarian principles: neutrality, impartiality, and humanity
3. The SPHERE Standards and Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS)
4. International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and protection frameworks
5. The Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus
6. Case Study: Coordinated humanitarian response in the Syria crisis

Module 2: Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness

1. Disaster risk profiling and early warning systems
2. The Sendai Framework and risk-informed development
3. Organizational risk management strategies
4. Business continuity planning in the humanitarian context
5. Community-based disaster preparedness models
6. Case Study: DRR and climate adaptation in the Philippines

Module 3: Humanitarian Leadership and Strategic Decision Making

1. Adaptive leadership in complex emergencies
2. Crisis communication and high-stakes decision-making
3. Accountability and ethical leadership in aid delivery
4. Role of CEOs and senior executives in humanitarian response
5. Managing organizational change during crises
6. Case Study: Executive leadership in the Ebola outbreak response

Module 4: Emergency Logistics and Resource Mobilization

1. Strategic procurement and emergency supply chains
2. Financial planning and humanitarian funding models
3. Donor engagement and coordination mechanisms
4. Warehousing and pre-positioning of relief items
5. Public-private partnerships in emergency response
6. Case Study: Humanitarian logistics in the Haiti earthquake

Module 5: Protection, Gender, and Inclusion in Humanitarian Response

1. Protection of displaced populations and IDPs
2. Integrating gender and safeguarding in emergency response
3. Inclusive approaches for persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups
4. Gender-based violence (GBV) response in emergencies
5. Child protection and psychosocial support
6. Case Study: Gender mainstreaming in Rohingya refugee camps

Module 6: Post-Disaster Recovery and Resilience Building

1. Recovery planning and reconstruction strategies
2. Building back better: resilient infrastructure and services
3. Livelihood restoration and social protection mechanisms
4. Coordination with national and local recovery stakeholders
5. Lessons learned and after-action reviews (AARs)
6. Case Study: Post-disaster reconstruction in Mozambique after Cyclone Idai

General Information

1. Customized Training: All our courses can be tailored to meet the specific needs of participants.
2. Language Proficiency: Participants should have a good command of the English language.
3. Comprehensive Learning: Our training includes well-structured presentations, practical exercises, web-based tutorials, and collaborative group work. Our facilitators are seasoned experts with over a decade of experience.
4. Certification: Upon successful completion of training, participants will receive a certificate from Foscore Development Center (FDC-K).
5. Training Locations: Training sessions are conducted at Foscore Development Center (FDC-K) centers. We also offer options for in-house and online training, customized to the client's schedule.
6. Flexible Duration: Course durations are adaptable, and content can be adjusted to fit the required number of days.
7. Onsite Training Inclusions: The course fee for onsite training covers facilitation, training materials, two coffee breaks, a buffet lunch, and a Certificate of Successful Completion. Participants are responsible for their travel expenses, airport transfers, visa applications, dinners, health/accident insurance, and personal expenses.
8. Additional Services: Accommodation, pickup services, freight booking, and visa processing arrangements are available upon request at discounted rates.
9. Equipment: Tablets and laptops can be provided to participants at an additional cost.
10. Post-Training Support: We offer one year of free consultation and coaching after the course.
11. Group Discounts: Register as a group of more than two and enjoy a discount ranging from 10% to 50%.
12. Payment Terms: Payment should be made before the commencement of the training or as mutually agreed upon, to the Foscore Development Center account. This ensures better preparation for your training.
13. Contact Us: For any inquiries, please reach out to us at training@fdc-k.org or call us at +254712260031.
14. Website: Visit our website at www.fdc-k.org for more information.