Course Overview

The ultimate test of an organization’s communication skill is how it deals with a corporate or organizational crisis. It is not difficult to see why there is an expanding media which is tough on what it regards as management incompetence; shareholders and customers becoming more demanding; legislation and regulation is being strengthened and there is greater commercial competition.

Communication in humanitarian settings is important in ensuring effective key program implementation and beneficiaries’ satisfaction. Communication is central before, during and when closing a humanitarian program as it is the only link between different actors and within different groups.

In terms of communication, a crisis is considered to be an incident or situation – whether real, rumored or alleged – that can focus on negative attention on a company or organization internally in the media or key audiences. This course, therefore, is meant to inculcate knowledge and skills on how a humanitarian worker should handle communication in the midst of a crisis to safeguard the image of the organization at the same time keep the publics involved.

Course Content

• Understanding crises and the theory of communication- understanding crises, elements of crisis management, stakeholders and audiences, third party endorsements, communication in a crisis, how the media works, lobbying, the price of failure
• Complaints against the media
• Information Technology
• Practical crisis communication- Internal audiences, the crisis team, crisis planning and whistle-blowing
• Media handling

Exercises:

After they have read the material for each unit, students are expected to test their own learning by completing some relevant exercises and tasks.

Assignments:

In order to demonstrate their understanding of the course content, students will be required to submit three assignments.

Training format:

All materials are made available through our online learning platform

Course duration: 3 months

Course fee: €500

Regions targeted: Global

Language: English and French