Learning and Capacity Building

The GPC is committed to continually improving protection capacity. To this end, the GPC has developed a specialised programme on protection coordination dedicated to field protection cluster coordinators, as well as training and learning programmes on a range of protection issues. If you are interested in any of the training or learning programmes presented below, contact the GPC Head of Learning and Capacity Building Pillar.

 

Specialised Programme on Protection Coordination (SPPC)

It is an initiative led by the GPC and its AoRs, in partnership with the International Institute of Humanitarian Law. This is an inter-agency blended learning programme for coordinators, co-coordinators and colleagues engaged in protection coordination (including CP, GBV, HLP and MA) in field operations, at national and sub-national levels. It is specifically designed and developed to strengthen the skills needed for effective protection coordination to ensure a harmonised and collaborative protection response. The SPPC is a three-month blended learning programme comprised of a self-study phase, an on-line workshop, and a project.  The SPPC is routinely offered in English and in French.

 

Who can Participate?

The Programme specifically targets coordinators, co-coordinators and local actors in field operations, from UN agencies to government counterparts and NGO partners. To fully benefit and actively participate in the Programme, some knowledge, exposure to and/or experience with Protection Coordination is recommended.

Please note that a limited number of applications are selected to ensure the interaction of the sessions. 

Applications to the Programme are open several times a year and are disseminated to corresponding target audiences by the Global Protection Cluster and the AoRs. Please contact us for additional information at: special.courses@iihl.org.

 

The Programme

The programme takes place over a period of three months and is divided into 3 phases:

Phase 1 - Self-Study Phase

During the Self-Study Phase, participants work online, individually and at their own pace via the Sanremo Institute’s Online Learning Platform, Moodle. The platform offers micro learning components per topic, such as an e-course, a document (checklist, an assessment), a video, a podcast, a visual or a link to a website. Per topic, there are mandatory and additional or recommended micro learning components to work on. The mandatory components and resources cover the essential content selected by the Global Protection Cluster and each of the AoRs. At the end of the Self-Study Phase, participants have to submit an assignment. Only participants who complete the Self-Study Phase will be invited to participate in the Virtual Workshop Phase. The Self-Study Phase takes about 10 hours. Guidance and support is offered by the Programme’s facilitator team.

 

Phase 2 - Virtual Workshop Phase

The Virtual Workshop Phase consists of 12 virtual and interactive workshop sessions. All sessions will be scheduled over a period of four weeks. This means one or two sessions per day. This Phase offers participants an opportunity to practice and improve a range of skills needed for effective coordination: analysing, advocacy, humanitarian negotiation, communication and more. The different sessions are participatory, interactive and contain both individual and group work. In addition, realistic examples and good practices are used throughout the Virtual Workshop Phase. The learning environment is open and inviting, time for reflection and feedback from participants, subject matter experts and experienced facilitators are important aspects. This phase is ‘paced’: it requires preparation and completion of specific activities and exercises before the next virtual session. Scheduling enough time for this Phase is essential!

 

Phase 3 - Final Phase

After full participation in the Virtual Workshop Phase, participants work on a personal action plan. 

The focus is to reflect on how to implement the skills and knowledge gained into their daily work and to support their own learning and professional development. Participants are supported by a mentor, an experienced coordinator, if needed. This phase is concluded by a final assessment. 

 

Other Specialised Programmes

The GPC has also developed dedicated training and learning programmes on a range of protection issues for field cluster coordinators and partners. Please reach out to the helpdesk for support. 


You will find a full range of tools, resources and other helpful documents relating to Learning and Capacity Building at the following links. The materials are available in English, French, Spanish and Arabic

 

For more information

Julien Marneffe

Head of Learning and Capacity Building
Global Protection Cluster
Mail: marneffe@unhcr.org