Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements Provision Management Training in Helsinki

Programme Overview

In the face of complex environmental challenges and climate change concerns over the last few decades the number of displaced people has been increasing at an alarming rate. As of today, worldwide forcible displacement tops 70 million, stipulating an urgent need for effective settlement interventions and enhanced capacity of shelter provision if and when emergencies occur. Settlements prove to be vital components of post-disaster recovery allowing affected individuals to re-establish their social and economic ties, ensuring personal safety and security. Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements Provision Training in Helsinki, Finland has been specifically developed for the professionals engaged in humanitarian shelter provision and settlement activities. It provides a comprehensive overview of sheltering initiatives, policies and guidelines along with the best practices across the sector.

Delivered by Risalat Consultants International in Helsinki, Finland, it combines expert-led sessions, real cases and group work, so that participants can apply what they learn in their own institution.

The programme strengthens institutional capability in:

• Forcible Displacement and Associated Issues
• Mechanisms for Emergency Response
• Shelter – Mere Physical Space or Something Greater?
• Relief, Recovery and Sheltering
• Core Guiding Principles of Humanitarian Shelter Provision
• Strategic Objectives of Shelter and Settlement Initiatives
• Shelter Assistance vs Settlement Assistance
• Settlement Options for Displaced and Non-Displaced People amid Disasters
• Strategic thinking and direction setting
• Leading and developing teams
• Decision making and problem solving
• Communication and influence

It is designed for directors and senior managers, heads of department and unit, middle managers and team leaders and others who want practical, current skills in leadership, management and communication.

Why Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements Provision Management Matters Now

Institutions change faster than ever: new policies, technologies and expectations from citizens and partners. Leaders and managers who can set direction, build teams and manage change make the difference between plans and results.

Strong leadership is a set of practical skills: deciding, communicating, negotiating, developing people and leading change. These skills can be learnt and improved with practice and feedback.

This Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements Provision Management programme brings these elements together in a practical format, so that participants understand not only what good practice looks like but also how to introduce it in their own setting, with the people and resources they have.

Institutions increasingly need professionals who can:

• Set clear direction and priorities
• Lead and motivate teams through change
• Communicate and negotiate effectively
• Manage performance fairly
• Make sound decisions under pressure

Strong capability helps institutions:

• Turn strategies into results
• Build motivated, capable teams
• Manage change with less resistance
• Improve relations with partners and stakeholders

Who Should Attend This Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements Provision Management Training

The programme suits experienced professionals as well as those moving into new responsibilities. Groups that mix institutions and countries are encouraged, because participants learn a great deal from each other’s experience.

This programme is designed for:

• Directors and senior managers
• Heads of department and unit
• Middle managers and team leaders
• Project and programme managers
• HR and organisational development staff
• Staff preparing for leadership roles
• Women leaders and emerging leaders
• Board members
• NGO leaders
• Business owners and managers

Programme Objectives

The objectives focus on what participants will be able to do after the programme, not only on what they will know. Each one is practised during the week through exercises, cases or group work.

By the end of this programme participants will be able to:

• Demonstrate the Comprehensive Understanding of Displacement issue and the importance of shelter provision for affected individuals
• Understand the principles and practical approaches to Shelter coordination and Settlement in humanitarian context
• Successfully Employ Core Guiding Principles of Global Settlement and Shelter Strategies
• Take strategic approach towards settlement initiatives and analyze possible alternatives
• Refine their communication and Leadership skills in order to adhere with professional standards
• Explain current approaches to leadership in public and private institutions
• Set direction and priorities for their team
• Lead, motivate and develop people
• Make decisions using structured methods
• Communicate clearly and influence others

Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements Provision Management Training Structure & Contents

Training Methodology

Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements Provision Management Training in Finland uses a well-balanced blend of theoretical and practical elements. Instructor-led sessions will be supplemented by group exercises, active discussions and numerous case studies. The participants will be able to share the thoughts and experience of guest lecturers in addition to the main consultant and attend specially organized exposure visit to the office of selected humanitarian agency that emphasizes on shelter and settlement provision to displaced people worldwide.

Before the programme, a short pre-assessment helps the facilitators understand each participant’s role and priorities, so that examples and exercises can be adjusted to the group. Each day ends with a short reflection in which participants note what they will apply at work.

• Expert-led sessions on current practice
• Regional and international case studies
• Group work and practical exercises
• Simulations and role plays where relevant
• Discussion of participants' own challenges
• Daily reflection and action planning

Institutional Application

The programme is built so that learning moves from the classroom into the institution. Participants work on their own processes and documents where possible, and leave with an action plan that their managers can review and support.

This programme supports institutions in strengthening:

• Leadership and management
• Team development
• Change management
• Communication
• Performance management

Participants return with practical tools to improve:

• Team plans
• Coaching
• Change plans
• Stakeholder communication
• Performance reviews

Regional Relevance & Application

Holding the programme in Helsinki, Finland brings together participants from Europe and other regions, so they can compare how leadership, management and communication is handled in different settings.

The same programme can also be delivered in-house for one institution, in its own country or online, with cases taken from its current work.

Examples and exercises are chosen to reflect the realities of public institutions and donor-financed projects, and participants are encouraged to bring a current challenge from their own work so that the action plan they leave with is directly usable.

Host Country Profile – Finland

Helsinki, until about 1930 known in English by its Swedish name of Helsingfors, is the capital and most populous city in Finland. It is on the shore of the Gulf of Finland and is the seat of southern Finland's Uusimaa region. Source: Wikipedia.

The programme takes place at Klaus K Hotel.

Expected Outcomes of Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements Provision Management Training

Participants will be able to:

• Set clear direction and priorities
• Lead and develop teams
• Make sound decisions
• Communicate and negotiate effectively
• Lead change with less resistance
• Plan their own development as leaders

Participants leave with a personal action plan and practical tools they can use in their institution from the first week back. Institutions that send several participants can use the programme to agree shared methods and templates across teams, which makes improvements easier to sustain.

Course Deliverables

Participants receive support before, during and after the programme, so that preparation, learning and follow-up form one continuous experience.

Before the Programme

• Participant Pre-Assessment
• Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements Provision Management Readiness Assessment
• Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements Provision Management Resource Pack
• Preparatory Reading Materials
• Complimentary Visa Support & Advisory

During the Programme

• Airport Pickup & Welcome Assistance
• Accommodation with Breakfast
• Welcome Networking Dinner
• Risalat Training Kit (Bag, Bottle, Mug, T-Shirt, Cap, Passport Cover, Pens, Notebook, Magnet & Keychain)
• Comprehensive Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements Provision Management Training Manual
• Leadership Self-Assessment
• Team Development Plan Template
• Change Plan Template
• Negotiation Preparation Sheet
• Practical Workshops & Simulations
• Group Discussions & Peer Learning
• Daily Lunch and Refreshments
• Full Access to Training Venue Facilities
• Mini Pad / Tablet with Digital Learning Materials
• Field Visit (where applicable)
• Entertaining City Tour

After the Programme

• Certificate of Completion
• Risalat Programme Participation Recognition Award
• Post-Training Reference Materials
• Personal Development Plan Template
• Coaching Conversation Guide
• Post-Training Support & Follow-Up Guidance
• Programme Report

Institutions can also request a tailored in-house version of this programme, delivered at their premises or online. Request a proposal.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where does the Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements Provision Management programme take place?

It runs from 25 Jan 2027 to 29 Jan 2027, in Helsinki, Finland (Klaus K Hotel). The registration deadline is shown at the top of this page.

Who should attend?

The programme is designed for directors and senior managers, heads of department and unit, middle managers and team leaders, project and programme managers, and others who want practical skills in leadership, management and communication.

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes. Participants who complete the programme receive a Certificate of Completion from Risalat Consultants International.

Can this programme be delivered for our institution only?

Yes. We can deliver a tailored in-house version at your premises, in another city or online, built around your own cases. Use the proposal request on this page.

Do I need prior experience in leadership, management and communication?

No specialist background is required beyond experience in a related role. A short pre-assessment helps the facilitators adapt the sessions to the group.

Training courses in HelsinkiHumanitarians training courses

More training courses in Finland · All programmes in Europe · Full training calendar