This experiential course is designed to equip participants with essential negotiation skills and tools needed to navigate complex and adversarial environments. It provides a robust understanding of crisis management, strategic frameworks for high-stakes dialogues, and tactical tools for effective negotiation planning in complex environments.
The course is structured over two weeks, combining theoretical presentations, practical exercises and simulations based on real-world scenarios such as public health crises, protection challenges, irregular migration and climate-induced disasters.
Additionally, students will have the opportunity to engage in group work with experienced practitioners to apply and reflect on their learning, culminating in a final reflection paper. The course aims to enhance participants’ abilities to build trust, manage adversarial relationships, and lead constructive engagements in high-intensity situations.
Analyse Complex Environments: Develop your ability to critically analyse political and social environments during public health and other humanitarian crises, identifying key stakeholders, their positions, interests, and the broader context influencing the negotiation process.
Strategic Planning and Facilitation: Design and implement a robust plan for professional dialogues on high-stake, contentious issues, incorporating strategic vision and tactical approaches to achieve constructive outcomes.
Negotiation Frameworks: Understand and apply various conceptual frameworks for complex negotiations, including transactional, relational, and adversarial models, tailored to specific contexts and relationships.
Interpersonal Skills and Tension Management: Enhance interpersonal skills to navigate challenging relationships, employing contemporary tools and methods to manage tensions, de-escalate conflicts, and perform effectively under pressure.
Practical Application and Reflection: Leverage insights from seasoned practitioners through experiential learning, simulations, and group work, enabling students to confidently engage in face-to-face negotiations with difficult counterparts and reflect on their personal development and capabilities.
Professionals in the humanitarian, development or social sector looking to develop their competencies in negotiation, as well as reflect and capitalize on their experience as negotiators;
Professionals from other sectors (political analysts, decision-makers, government officials, donor agencies) who wish to increase their understanding of negotiation in humanitarian settings.
Interested in applying? Learn more about the admission requirements and application process here.
