UNSSC, OCHA launch learning hub for personnel working in humanitarian affairs

The United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC) and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), have announced a partnership that will see the two organizations launch a critical learning hub that features a wide array of interactive online modules for professionals working in humanitarian settings.

The partnership is a vital step in building the leadership capacities and technical skills of professionals who work in humanitarian contexts, said Olena Ovchynnikova, UNSSC Learning Portfolio Manager.

“UN personnel come from varied backgrounds and possess different sets of skills,” she said. “In some instances, professionals working in humanitarian contexts need to upskill to gain specific humanitarian and leadership competencies to support the unique challenges they face.”

This hub seeks to bridge the gap by providing learning that offers insights on coordination skills, communications skills; decision-making and risk-taking skills in the humanitarian field.

The learning solution is expected support prompt and measured consultation and decision-making in complex humanitarian situations, said Ovchynnikova.

Set to launch in the coming weeks, the new learning hub offers online modules that cover such topics as:

• The genesis of the international humanitarian system;
• International humanitarian law;
• Case studies on humanitarian actions;
• Practical tools on the mandatory responsibilities of humanitarian leaders;
• Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in humanitarian action.

The modules are designed through an innovative approach to learning in that they are packaged in different content formats – short video interviews with senior leaders who speak about humanitarian action, in addition to audio materials, video material and downloadable resources that users can access at their convenience. The learning hub also provides a space for participants to share their reflections and exchange ideas with their peers.

The learning hub is geared to senior UN and non-UN leaders who work in humanitarian settings but have limited experience working in such settings. This is just one of the tools and services that   OCHA’s Humanitarian Leadership Strengthening Section offers in an effort to broaden and deepen the pool of candidates who are ready to step into senior humanitarian leadership roles.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on how humanitarian professionals work and interact with each other. The availability of this learning hub is an important step forward in ensuring that humanitarian professionals have a variety of learning options and modalities at their disposal.