What you will learn
- Describe who coordinates what in a humanitarian response and how decisions are made.
- Contribute effectively to a cluster: 4W, gap analysis, standards, response plan and funding.
- Facilitate a useful coordination meeting and uphold the principles in relations with the authorities and the military.
Course information
- Level
- Intermediate
- Study time
- 12 hours over 2 days (lessons, case studies, exercises)
- Format
- Online, at your own pace, free and unlimited access
- Assessment
- Daily quizzes + final exam of 20 randomly drawn questions (30 min, pass mark 70%)
- Credential
- Named, numbered certificate of achievement, verifiable online (QR code)
- Reference frameworks
- OCHA / IASC · IASC · IASC
Programme
- Day1The coordination architectureWhy coordinate? · Who coordinates? · The clusters · The humanitarian programme cycle Scenario: An earthquake, 48 hours on
- Day2Working in a cluster and coordinating in the fieldThe cluster's tools · A useful coordination meeting · Authorities, the military and local actors Scenario: The offer of a military escort
- Final assessment and certificate20 questions · 70% to pass · 3 attempts per 24 hours
Who is it for?
Project managers, programme coordinators, NGO representatives at clusters, future cluster coordinators or co-facilitators, and national NGO staff who want to carry weight in coordination.
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 Members area account is required.
Key concepts
The vocabulary you need to master for this course and the exam.
- Cluster
- A sectoral group of humanitarian actors coordinated by a lead agency.
- Provider of last resort
- The lead agency's commitment to filling critical gaps.
- 4W / 3W
- A “who does what, where, when” matrix used to identify duplication and gaps.
- HNO / HRP
- The country's Humanitarian Needs Overview and Humanitarian Response Plan.
- Humanitarian Country Team (HCT)
- Strategic body chaired by the Humanitarian Coordinator.
- ICCG
- Inter-cluster coordination group that links the clusters.
- CBPF
- Humanitarian pooled funds managed at country level.
- CMCoord
- Civil-military coordination that preserves humanitarian space.
References and recommended reading
The official texts and sector reference works on which the course is based.
- OCHA / IASC (2023). Humanitarian Programme Cycle: reference documents. www.humanitarianresponse.info
- IASC (2024). Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) reference documents. interagencystandingcommittee.org
- IASC (2015). Reference Module for Cluster Coordination at Country Level. interagencystandingcommittee.org
- OCHA (2007). Oslo Guidelines and MCDA Guidelines on the use of military assets. www.unocha.org