NEW: Health Planning and Programming

Content

You will work on the basis of a set of documents, most of them similar to what an expert/advisor may find in a real life situation.

Guided by principles of leaving no-one behind, people-centered health care, accountability and sustainability, you work in small groups through the different steps of the planning and programming cycle:

• addressing situation analysis, priority needs and objectives
• defining interventions and indicators
• developing a budget and the institutional setup
• discussing assumptions and risks
• taking into account issues of human rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment, good governance, equitable partnerships and community participation

Participants will learn and practice using several planning tools in the whole process: constructing problem trees, a logical framework, Gantt chart, nominal group technique in priority setting, etc.

This course is tropEd accredited and can be followed as a stand-alone course or as specialisation course of the Master in Public Health and Health Equity programme.

Learning methods

This is a group simulation exercise. Participants work most of the time in their group of around eight people; teamwork skills and conflict resolution are also important components of the learning outcomes.
There are inputs from facilitators on specific technical issues as well as on the group work, communication process.
A peer feedback system ensures reflection by the members of the group during the exercise.
Apart from the short sessions for specific input, facilitators are available by appointment and/or ‘on demand’ by the group.

Assessment:
For participants who wish to receive a certificate of completion of the course, including the ECTS credits, the assessment is required.
If you do not wish to do the assessment, you can receive a certificate of attendance of the course.

More on our learning methods:
https://www.kit.nl/institute/study/general-information/

Objectives

At the end of this course participants will be able to:

• Elaborate a clear, concise and consistent, feasible and sustainable public health project proposal, including:
  situation analysis; problem analysis; selection of priorities and formulation of objectives with a leaving no-one behind, equity, good governance and rights focus; interventions, strategies, activities and timeframe
  monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) procedures; institutional setting; a comprehensive budget; risks and critical assumptions for success and sustainability plan
• Work effectively in a team, both as a team member and a team leader
• Present and defend the proposal

Course Content

The following subjects are covered during the course:

• Health planning and programming, including principles of leaving no-one behind, people-centered health care, accountability and sustainability text, human rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment, good governance, equitable partnerships and community participation
• Working in teams, communication and group work, conflict management, feedback skills
• Project proposal contents, including situation analysis; problem analysis; selection of priorities and formulation of objectives with a pro-poor, equity, good governance and rights focus; interventions, strategies, activities and timeframe; monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) procedures; institutional setting; a comprehensive budget; risks and critical assumptions for success
• Presentation skills

You will learn and practice using several planning tools in the whole process: constructing a problem tree, developing a logical framework, designing a Gantt chart, using the nominal group technique in priority setting, etc. Participants rotate roles in leading the group sessions.

Application

Admission criteria

• Academic training or a professional qualification in a relevant field
• Work experience in a related area, including experience in management or planning in developing countries
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Computer literacy is essential: we use a virtual learning platform and digital tools in our education and assignments

Application procedure

The application package is due two months before the start of the course.

Please upload your application online. The following documents should be uploaded:

• A one-page letter of motivation
• Copies of your diplomas and grade reports (academic transcripts)
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae and a list of publications if applicable

What we expect from your motivation letter:

Please indicate in your motivation letter why you want to follow this specific course, why you want to follow the course at KIT Amsterdam, what do you expect to learn and how you will apply your newly gained competencies from the course in your work, what kind of benefits will it bring to your future career, etc. Describe a relevant problem you have experienced in the last two years that you would like to discuss during this specific course. Your motivation should be about ½-1 page. Please do not repeat your CV again.

This course can be taken on its own, or as specialisation course of the Master of Science in Public Health and Health Equity (MPH-HE).

Visa requirements

Citizens of most EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries do not need a visa to enter the Netherlands. Visit the Nuffic website for the latest information on visa requirements.

Participants from other countries must obtain a short-stay visa (for up to three months) through the Netherlands embassy or consulate covering the applicant’s country. Applicants will need a letter of admission to the course and proof of sponsorship or sufficient funds to cover the course fee, travel and accommodation costs. Applicants should take into account that in some countries this procedure can take several months.

European Credit

The European Credit Transfer System (EC) facilitates the transfer of course credits between different institutions of the same academic level. A course comprising 28 hours of formal teaching and private study is equivalent to one EC credit point.

Insurance requirements

Course participants and accompanying dependents are required by Dutch law to have health, accident and third party insurance. Unless their current insurance policy covers their stay abroad, participants must insure themselves and their dependents in the Netherlands. Dutch insurance companies offer reasonable rates to foreign students. KIT can assist with arranging insurance.

Accreditation

This course is also accredited for the Master of Science in Public Health and Health Equity, organised by KIT Institute and tropEd, a network of European institutions for higher education in international health.

Funding

The arrangement of financial support to cover all study costs is the responsibility of the applicant. KIT does not offer financial support or scholarships.

• Up-to-date approach to complex public health issues
• Practice-oriented
• Exchange between disciplines
• Interactive Education
• Development of personal and professional competencies
• Network building

• Participants from diverse backgrounds and countries
• Personal tutoring
• Teaching by highly qualified specialists
• Positively reviewed by tropEd
• KIT: international centre of excellence in international health and development
• Accredited by NVAO