Programme Quality Assurance and Humanitarian Standards Compliance Training Course

This advanced course develops technical skills in programme quality assurance, covering humanitarian standards compliance, quality benchmark application and accountability to affected populations systems. Participants work through real quality assessment methodology rather than checklist audits alone, examining what genuinely distinguishes strong programme quality from adequate compliance. The course closes with a quality assurance system designed against a recognised standards framework.

Programme quality assurance is meant to verify that a programme meets recognised standards of relevance, effectiveness and accountability, yet many NGO quality systems focus almost entirely on delivery volume and financial compliance, leaving genuine programme quality largely unmeasured.

Recognised frameworks such as the Core Humanitarian Standard and sector-specific quality benchmarks have matured considerably, giving organisations clear reference points for quality assurance design. This advanced course moves beyond quality assurance as a checklist exercise into the technical benchmark application, accountability system design and continuous improvement mechanisms that determine whether quality assurance genuinely improves programming.

• Explain the components of recognised humanitarian and development quality standards
• Apply the Core Humanitarian Standard to programme quality assessment
• Design accountability to affected populations systems
• Assess programme quality using structured benchmark methodology
• Structure complaint and feedback mechanisms that inform quality improvement
• Evaluate common gaps between quality assurance policy and practice
• Design continuous quality improvement processes
• Assess quality assurance systems across consortium and partner structures
• Advise institutions on quality assurance system strengthening

This course is designed for:

• Programme quality and standards managers
• Monitoring, evaluation and learning staff
• Country directors and programme leadership
• Accountability to affected populations focal points
• Donor programme quality and compliance officers
• Technical advisers across sectors
• Internal audit and quality review staff
• Consortium quality assurance coordination staff

The programme is delivered through facilitator-led technical sessions combined with standards benchmarking exercises, accountability system design and a quality assessment simulation, structured around small-group work and real or anonymised programme material rather than lecture alone. Each module closes with a short applied task so participants leave with working tools rather than notes alone.

Institutions sending delegates on this course can expect:

• Programme quality assurance benchmarked against recognised standards
• Stronger accountability to affected populations systems
• More effective complaint and feedback mechanisms informing quality
• Improved quality benchmarking and assessment rigour
• Better-embedded continuous quality improvement processes
• Increased donor and community confidence in programme quality
• Reduced gap between quality assurance policy and practice
• A documented quality assurance strengthening strategy
• Stronger overall programme effectiveness and relevance

Completing this programme gives participants:

• Advanced technical skill in programme quality assurance design
• Confidence to apply the Core Humanitarian Standard rigorously
• Sharper accountability to affected populations system design skills
• Practical experience designing complaint and feedback mechanisms
• Stronger standing in programme quality discussions
• A completed quality assurance system for direct application
• Improved ability to design continuous quality improvement processes
• A specialist network across African programme quality practice
• A foundation for senior programme quality leadership roles

At Strategic Revenue Africa, our certification goes beyond proof of attendance—it represents practical competence and measurable capability. Upon successful completion of our training programs, participants are awarded a Certificate of Completion from Strategic Revenue Africa, recognizing their ability to apply acquired knowledge in real-world settings. As an organization focused on architecting sustainable revenue and strengthening organizational performance, our certifications signal that participants are equipped with skills that drive results, not just theory.

Prior experience in programme management, quality assurance or monitoring and evaluation is expected. This is an advanced, practitioner-level course.