Overview

Objectives

At the end of the ESC, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the evolution of accountability, from technocratic standards to relational and decolonial approaches
  • Understand power dynamics within humanitarian and development ecosystems that shape accountability
  • Analyse the main barriers that impact accountability mechanisms internally and externally
  • Apply practical tools to strengthen trust, participation, and downward accountability in their organisations
  • Develop an advocacy or organisational strategy to embed ethical accountability and people-centred approaches across programmes

 

Audience

• Professionals in the humanitarian, development or social sector looking to improve the provision of humanitarian assistance through accountability lenses
• Professionals from any other sectors (donors, policy-makers, decision-makers) who wish to make accountability a driver of trust and transparency

Programme

  • Week 1: Accountability as ethics and practice (origins and challenges of AAP)
  • Week 2: From standards to power: Rethinking relationships with communities (AAP frameworks)
  • Week 3: Leadership and organisational culture (listening, reflexivity, gender and diversity)
  • Week 4: Donor perspectives and systemic constraints (funding, reporting, risk management and advocacy)
  • Week 5: Designing transformative accountability (evaluations and strategies)

Registration

Registration deadline

21 December 2025

Fees:

  • Full price: CHF 1700
  • Partner rate (MSF, ICRC, UNICEF, IOM): CHF 1360 (20% discount) 
  • Special Rate for Government and NGO/CBO Staff: CHF 850. Available exclusively to staff from local and national NGOs, CBOs, and government employees in low/middle-income countries. Proof of local employment and salary required.

Admission criteria

  • A university qualification (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent)
  • At least three years of relevant professional experience in the humanitarian, development or social sector
  • Excellent command of English*

*Documents and language requirements for Executive Short Courses

Application File

  • CV (Resume)
  • Cover letter (explaining what is the reason why you apply for this course and how will the acquired skills help you in your career)
  • Employer’s funding agreement, if applicable
  • Partial tuition fee waiver form, if applicable
  • Highest educational qualification obtained
  • Work certificate or official document of your current job position
  • Proof of English language competence to be dated less than 2 years (see details below)
  • Portrait photo (ID format)
  • Scanned copy of the passport

More information about the application process is available on our admissions page.

Cancellation Policy

Please consult our cancellation policy.

Curriculum

Period

12 January 2026 - 13 February 2026

Credits

3 ECTS credits

Teaching hours

75 distance teaching hours

Director(s)

Prof. Karl BLANCHET, Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies, University of Geneva

Coordinator(s)

Erna BURAI, University of Geneva

Remarks

Format

Online (combination of self-study and live sessions). Live sessions are scheduled once a week. All live sessions are in group and mandatory – Usually in early afternoon CEST.

Online course requires app. 15 hours of dedicated work per week. We recommend that participants allow at least 25% of their time for the course and adapt their professional activity accordingly and with flexibility on working hours.

Around 75 hours of work including:

  • Synchronous live sessions (once per week)
  • Asynchronous self-study activities (individual or group work activities such as readings, interviews, podcasts, videos, in-class presentations, self-tests, case studies and simulation exercises, reflexive analysis, forum discussions etc.)

FAQ