Energy and Water5-day programme

WASH in Humanitarian and Development Contexts Training in Gaborone

Dates1–5 Feb 2027
LocationGaborone, Botswana
VenuePeermont Mondior
Register by23 Dec 2026
Register now → Download brochure In-house version

Key facts

Dates
1–5 Feb 2027 (5 days)
Where
Peermont Mondior, Gaborone, Botswana
Fee per participant
£2,860 (GBP)
Payment
By invoice and bank transfer
Registration closes
23 Dec 2026
Certificate
Certificate of completion
On this page 13 sections

Programme Overview

WASH in Humanitarian and Development Contexts Training in Gaborone is a practice-based professional programme for public agencies, development project teams and organisations responsible for wash in humanitarian and development contexts. The course uses operational examples, guided analysis and templates to connect policy expectations with daily decisions.

WHO and UNICEF monitoring documents continuing gaps in safely managed services, while the 2026 school WASH update highlights the need for stronger implementation and measurement.

The learning programme takes place in Gaborone, Botswana. The host city is a venue for structured peer learning and comparative analysis; participation does not imply endorsement by any public institution or access to restricted systems.

Participants examine the complete institutional workflow, from identifying a problem and defining responsibilities to applying controls, monitoring performance and documenting improvements. They work on examples adapted to their own mandates, financing agreements and national rules.

Official guidance is treated as a starting point for professional judgement. Participants are asked to verify which legal provisions, project requirements and internal policies apply to their own organisation before using any template.

The Programme Strengthens Institutional Capability

  • Applying water safety planning to real institutional work
  • Applying emergency sanitation to real institutional work
  • Applying hygiene promotion to real institutional work
  • Applying community feedback to real institutional work
  • Applying water quality monitoring to real institutional work
  • Applying operations and maintenance to real institutional work
  • Applying climate resilient WASH to real institutional work
  • Applying inclusive access to real institutional work
  • Documenting decisions involving water safety planning
  • Documenting decisions involving emergency sanitation
  • Documenting decisions involving hygiene promotion
  • Documenting decisions involving community feedback
  • Documenting decisions involving water quality monitoring
  • Documenting decisions involving operations and maintenance
  • Documenting decisions involving climate resilient WASH
  • Documenting decisions involving inclusive access
  • Identifying roles, accountabilities and approval points
  • Planning corrective actions and tracking implementation
  • Connecting technical decisions to measurable public outcomes
  • Maintaining records suitable for internal review

Each participant develops an action-oriented working pack rather than a generic set of presentation notes.

The Growing Importance of WASH in Humanitarian and Development Contexts

WHO and UNICEF monitoring documents continuing gaps in safely managed services, while the 2026 school WASH update highlights the need for stronger implementation and measurement.

Implementation teams often work across policy, technical, procurement and finance functions. Without agreed evidence requirements and escalation routes, even a well-designed strategy can be difficult to implement consistently.

The programme therefore treats risk, inclusion, documentation and continuous improvement as linked management responsibilities rather than separate compliance exercises.

Organisations increasingly require professionals capable of:

  • Assessing water safety planning against organisational requirements
  • Assessing emergency sanitation against organisational requirements
  • Assessing hygiene promotion against organisational requirements
  • Assessing community feedback against organisational requirements
  • Assessing water quality monitoring against organisational requirements
  • Assessing operations and maintenance against organisational requirements
  • Assessing climate resilient WASH against organisational requirements
  • Assessing inclusive access against organisational requirements
  • Translating policy into operational decisions
  • Communicating risks to senior management
  • Checking the quality of supporting evidence
  • Coordinating across institutional boundaries

Strong wash in humanitarian and development contexts systems help organisations:

  • Improve consistency in water safety planning
  • Improve consistency in emergency sanitation
  • Improve consistency in hygiene promotion
  • Improve consistency in community feedback
  • Improve consistency in water quality monitoring
  • Improve consistency in operations and maintenance
  • Make review decisions traceable
  • Respond earlier to delivery problems
  • Build credible institutional learning
  • Protect public resources and service quality

The practical emphasis is on choosing proportionate tools, establishing ownership and verifying results. A method is only useful when staff can apply it with the data, authority and resources actually available.

Quick check: how would you answer? 3 quick questions

1. What is the best first step when improving water safety planning?

2. What is the best first step when improving emergency sanitation?

3. What is the best first step when improving hygiene promotion?

Who Should Attend This WASH in Humanitarian and Development Contexts Training?

This programme is designed for:

  • Programme directors and senior managers
  • Government ministry and agency officers
  • Project implementation unit managers
  • Technical specialists and advisers
  • Monitoring and evaluation officers
  • Procurement and contract managers
  • Finance and compliance officers
  • Institutional capacity development staff
  • Quality assurance and audit officers
  • Development partner programme teams
  • Regional and municipal government officers
  • Non-governmental organisation programme leads
  • Policy and planning specialists
  • Data and reporting coordinators
  • Consultants supporting public institutions

Participants from different functions are encouraged to attend together so that decisions and responsibilities can be tested across the whole delivery chain.

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WASH in Humanitarian and Development Contexts Training Objectives

Upon successful completion of this WASH in Humanitarian and Development Contexts Training, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the role of water safety planning in institutional performance
  • Explain the role of emergency sanitation in institutional performance
  • Explain the role of hygiene promotion in institutional performance
  • Explain the role of community feedback in institutional performance
  • Explain the role of water quality monitoring in institutional performance
  • Prepare a working template for operations and maintenance
  • Prepare a working template for climate resilient WASH
  • Prepare a working template for inclusive access
  • Assess implementation risks and propose proportionate controls
  • Use evidence to prioritise corrective action
  • Communicate findings to decision-makers
  • Design a practical institutional improvement roadmap

Objectives are assessed through the daily practical tasks and the final applied action plan, not by attendance alone.

Programme Contents and Structure

Your 5-day journey tap a day to see the sessions
    • Humanitarian Principles of International and Domestic Law in WASH Programming
    • Designing WASH Projects based on national and international Humanitarian Standards
    • Sustainable Development Goals, the Grand Bargain, and the Humanitarian-Development Nexus
    • Fulfilling the WASH needs of Affected Communities
    • Understanding the Impact of Improved WASH on health and social well-being
    • Contingency Planning
    • Coordinating with other Stakeholders
Full day-by-day contents

The programme follows a progressive learning journey from diagnosis to implementation and institutional follow-up.

  • First day: Humanitarian principles and service continuity
  • Second day: Needs assessment and WASH response design
  • Third day: Water systems sanitation and hygiene promotion
  • Fourth day: Protection climate resilience and local ownership
  • Fifth day: Operations procurement monitoring and handover

Full day-by-day contents

First Day | Humanitarian principles and service continuity

  • Humanitarian Principles of International and Domestic Law in WASH Programming
  • Designing WASH Projects based on national and international Humanitarian Standards
  • Sustainable Development Goals, the Grand Bargain, and the Humanitarian-Development Nexus
  • Fulfilling the WASH needs of Affected Communities
  • Understanding the Impact of Improved WASH on health and social well-being
  • Contingency Planning
  • Coordinating with other Stakeholders
  • Applying water safety planning to a realistic institutional case

Workshop: Humanitarian principles and service continuity in practice

Participants use a fictional but realistic case dossier to work through humanitarian principles and service continuity. They identify decision points, assign responsibilities, document the evidence needed for approval and produce a usable template. On the final day they combine their work into a sequenced institutional action plan with owners, milestones and review criteria.

Second Day | Needs assessment and WASH response design

  • Resource Mobilization
  • Performing Needs Assessment and response analysis
  • Needs Assessment-based WASH Project Design
  • Behavior Change Activities for better WASH practices
  • Designing and Implementing Specific WASH interventions, preparedness, and contingency plans
  • MEAL in WASH Projects
  • Applying hygiene promotion to a realistic institutional case
  • Applying community feedback to a realistic institutional case

Workshop: Needs assessment and WASH response design in practice

Participants use a fictional but realistic case dossier to work through needs assessment and wash response design. They identify decision points, assign responsibilities, document the evidence needed for approval and produce a usable template. On the final day they combine their work into a sequenced institutional action plan with owners, milestones and review criteria.

Third Day | Water systems sanitation and hygiene promotion

  • Adult-Hygiene Promotion Activities
  • Child-Hygiene Promotion Activities
  • Hygiene Promotion Strategy
  • Clean Up and Solid Waste
  • Constructing and Maintaining Water Tanks and tap stands
  • Latrines
  • Shower Areas and Wash Slabs
  • Wastewater Drainage and Water Trucking

Workshop: Water systems sanitation and hygiene promotion in practice

Participants use a fictional but realistic case dossier to work through water systems sanitation and hygiene promotion. They identify decision points, assign responsibilities, document the evidence needed for approval and produce a usable template. On the final day they combine their work into a sequenced institutional action plan with owners, milestones and review criteria.

Fourth Day | Protection climate resilience and local ownership

  • Supporting Local partners with Capacity Building
  • Employing Local Resources in WASH projects
  • Gender, Inclusion, and Mainstream Protection in WASH programming
  • Environmental Impact of WASH programming
  • Climate Change, Water Scarcity, and the Energy Nexus
  • Promoting Livelihoods activities
  • Accountability towards donors, authorities, beneficiaries, and other participants
  • Rights-Based Approach to WASH programming

Workshop: Protection climate resilience and local ownership in practice

Participants use a fictional but realistic case dossier to work through protection climate resilience and local ownership. They identify decision points, assign responsibilities, document the evidence needed for approval and produce a usable template. On the final day they combine their work into a sequenced institutional action plan with owners, milestones and review criteria.

Fifth Day | Operations procurement monitoring and handover

  • HR-related topics in WASH Projects – Recruitment, Selection, Performance Assessment, Training, and Capacity Building
  • Procurement Procedures
  • Drafting Tenders, contracting and managing suppliers, Supervising Subcontractors work
  • Financial Management for WASH Projects
  • WASH Project Governance and Compliance; Risk and Security Management
  • Effective Communications
  • Ethics and Behavior – complying with humanitarian principles
  • Empathy and Cultural Sensitivity

Capstone Exercise: Operations procurement monitoring and handover in practice

Participants use a fictional but realistic case dossier to work through operations procurement monitoring and handover. They identify decision points, assign responsibilities, document the evidence needed for approval and produce a usable template. On the final day they combine their work into a sequenced institutional action plan with owners, milestones and review criteria.

  1. Inputs
  2. Activities
  3. Outputs
  4. Outcomes
  5. Impact
From inputs to impactIndicators are set at every level, so progress can be checked long before impact is visible.

WASH in Humanitarian and Development Contexts Training Methodology

The learning approach combines short technical explanations with practical exercises. Participants are encouraged to bring anonymised policies, templates or operational questions where disclosure is permitted.

The programme combines:

  • Facilitated technical briefings
  • Participant needs assessment
  • Document review using official guidance
  • Small-group problem diagnosis
  • Case-based decision exercises
  • Template development workshops
  • Peer review and feedback
  • Role-based scenario simulations
  • Risk and control mapping
  • Daily learning checks
  • Facilitated action planning
  • Post-session reflection

Case material distinguishes internationally recognised principles from requirements that depend on a particular country, donor agreement or organisational mandate.

The facilitator reviews learning needs at the outset and adjusts examples to participants’ functions without promising access to confidential project documents or third-party systems.

Expected Outcomes

Upon completion of this WASH in Humanitarian and Development Contexts Training, participants will be able to:

  • A practical checklist for water safety planning
  • A practical checklist for emergency sanitation
  • A practical checklist for hygiene promotion
  • A practical checklist for community feedback
  • A practical checklist for water quality monitoring
  • A practical checklist for operations and maintenance
  • A documented risk and escalation register
  • A concise management briefing
  • A 30, 60 and 90-day implementation roadmap
  • An evidence and follow-up schedule

The intended outcome is stronger organisational capability. Individual outputs require review and adaptation before they become approved institutional procedures.

Plan your team's places

£2,860 per participant · invoice and bank transfer · groups of 5 or more receive a discount

1participant(s)
£2,860at the standard fee

Registration closes in 46 days (23 Dec 2026)

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Institutional Application of WASH in Humanitarian and Development Contexts Training

This programme supports organisations in strengthening:

  • Governance and oversight of water safety planning
  • Governance and oversight of emergency sanitation
  • Governance and oversight of hygiene promotion
  • Governance and oversight of community feedback
  • Governance and oversight of water quality monitoring
  • Governance and oversight of operations and maintenance
  • Governance and oversight of climate resilient WASH
  • Governance and oversight of inclusive access
  • Documented decision-making
  • Internal coordination and escalation
  • Assurance and quality review
  • Staff capability development

Participants return with practical tools to improve:

  • Water safety planning workflows
  • Emergency sanitation workflows
  • Hygiene promotion workflows
  • Community feedback workflows
  • Water quality monitoring workflows
  • Operations and maintenance workflows
  • Climate resilient wash workflows
  • Inclusive access workflows
  • Management reporting
  • Follow-up and accountability

Teams can adapt these tools for annual plans, project implementation manuals, internal controls and operational review meetings. For a broader organisational baseline, the <a href=”https://risalatconsultants.com/diagnostics/institutional-capacity-assessment/”>institutional capacity diagnostic</a> offers a structured starting point.

Regional Relevance &amp; Application

Asia and the Pacific

Government and development teams across Asia and the Pacific can apply wash in humanitarian and development contexts to multi-agency projects, local service delivery and donor reporting. Specific financing rules must be checked against each project agreement.

Africa

Public institutions and implementation units can use the course tools to improve implementation readiness, evidence quality and operational controls across geographically dispersed programmes.

Europe and Central Asia

Participants can compare domestic procedures with relevant European and international guidance while keeping legal and contractual obligations distinct.

Middle East

Large infrastructure and public transformation programmes benefit from clear roles, contract controls, performance indicators and transparent management decisions.

Examples are selected to support cross-regional learning without assuming that one country’s legal or operational model can be transferred unchanged.

Host Country Profile – Botswana

Gaborone is the host city for this international programme. Its role is to provide a setting for concentrated technical learning, peer exchange and comparative discussion among participating organisations.

The host setting in Botswana supports comparative discussion of institutional practice. The course relies on published international guidance rather than unverified claims about host institutions.

International participants should verify visa eligibility, entry rules and travel arrangements with the relevant authorities before departure. Risalat provides administrative visa guidance but cannot guarantee entry or visa issuance.

WASH in Humanitarian and Development Contexts Training Deliverables

The programme includes coordinated learning and participant support before, during and after the course.

Before the Programme

  • Participant Pre-Assessment
  • WASH in Humanitarian and Development Contexts Readiness Assessment
  • WASH in Humanitarian and Development Contexts 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 WASH in Humanitarian and Development Contexts Training Manual
  • Water Safety Planning Template
  • Emergency Sanitation Template
  • Hygiene Promotion Template
  • Community Feedback Template
  • Water Quality Monitoring Template
  • 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
  • Water Safety Planning Action Checklist
  • Emergency Sanitation Review Template
  • Institutional Action Plan
  • Post-Training Support & Follow-Up Guidance
  • Programme Report

Institutions requiring a tailored delivery can request an in-house programme proposal with cases and exercises aligned to their operating context.

Common Challenges in WASH in Humanitarian and Development Contexts, And How This Training Helps

How can our organisation improve water safety planning without adding unnecessary bureaucracy?

The first day examines water safety planning through a practical exercise. Participants define the minimum evidence required, agree responsible officers, test exceptions and identify an improvement that can be introduced through existing decision-making processes.

How can our organisation improve emergency sanitation without adding unnecessary bureaucracy?

The first day examines emergency sanitation through a practical exercise. Participants define the minimum evidence required, agree responsible officers, test exceptions and identify an improvement that can be introduced through existing decision-making processes.

How can our organisation improve hygiene promotion without adding unnecessary bureaucracy?

The second day examines hygiene promotion through a practical exercise. Participants define the minimum evidence required, agree responsible officers, test exceptions and identify an improvement that can be introduced through existing decision-making processes.

How can our organisation improve community feedback without adding unnecessary bureaucracy?

The second day examines community feedback through a practical exercise. Participants define the minimum evidence required, agree responsible officers, test exceptions and identify an improvement that can be introduced through existing decision-making processes.

How can our organisation improve water quality monitoring without adding unnecessary bureaucracy?

The third day examines water quality monitoring through a practical exercise. Participants define the minimum evidence required, agree responsible officers, test exceptions and identify an improvement that can be introduced through existing decision-making processes.

How can our organisation improve operations and maintenance without adding unnecessary bureaucracy?

The third day examines operations and maintenance through a practical exercise. Participants define the minimum evidence required, agree responsible officers, test exceptions and identify an improvement that can be introduced through existing decision-making processes.

How can our organisation improve climate resilient WASH without adding unnecessary bureaucracy?

The fourth day examines climate resilient WASH through a practical exercise. Participants define the minimum evidence required, agree responsible officers, test exceptions and identify an improvement that can be introduced through existing decision-making processes.

How can our organisation improve inclusive access without adding unnecessary bureaucracy?

The fourth day examines inclusive access through a practical exercise. Participants define the minimum evidence required, agree responsible officers, test exceptions and identify an improvement that can be introduced through existing decision-making processes.

Explore further professional training categories or use the training needs assessment to prioritise staff development.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should attend wash in humanitarian and development contexts training?

Government officials, technical specialists, project implementation teams, managers and advisers with responsibilities relevant to the subject.

Does the programme include practical exercises?

Yes. Each day includes a structured exercise, and the final day produces a practical action plan.

Are donor rules and national requirements treated as identical?

No. The programme distinguishes international guidance from requirements specific to each agreement, regulator and institution.

Will participants receive templates and follow-up materials?

Yes. Participants work with editable checklists, planning tools, reference materials and a programme report.

Is travel or a technical visit in Gaborone guaranteed?

The programme is hosted in the stated city. External technical visits depend on host confirmation and may be replaced with an equivalent case exercise.

Training courses in GaboroneEnergy and Water training courses

Why Gaborone for this programme

Gaborone, Botswana, was chosen for this programme because it is easy to reach for the participants we expect and has suitable venues for practical, interactive training.

The WASH in Humanitarian and Development Contexts Training in Gaborone programme in February 2027 brings together officials and professionals. Sessions combine short inputs, case studies and group work on participants' own files, and the city's institutions can be added as a study visit on request.

Check whether you need a visa with the free Visa Checker, and ask for an invitation letter once you are registered.

Read and try before you register
ArticleOrganic Farming and Resilient Food Systems: What WorksArticleClimate Change in Oceania: Risks and Resilience StrategiesArticlePacific Blue Economy: Building Local Solutions for Sustainable Ocean GovernanceFree diagnosticProcurement MaturityFree toolProcurement File Completeness Checker
Further reading
Topicsclimate resilient WASHcommunity feedbackemergency sanitationhygiene promotioninclusive accessoperations and maintenancewater quality monitoringwater safety planning

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What the fee covers

Visa Assistance (complimentary)
Participant Assessment
Airport Pickup
Accommodation
Wi-Fi
Welcome Dinner
Breakfast
Workshop Kit
Programme Materials
Programme Experts
Practical Activities
Lunch
Refreshments
Interactive workshop
City Map & Direction
Risalat T-shirt (complimentary)
Field Visit
Programme Certificate
Entertaining Tour
Programme Report

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