Key Projects

Context Professional Development Scheme

In May 2015, RedR UK launched Context, an innovative professional development training programme, in the Middle East and East Africa.

Context - an initiative of the Start Network, led globally by Oxfam GB with the support of UK Aid - is a comprehensive, dynamic staff development programme for humanitarian organisations.
 
It aims to raise standards and quality in future humanitarian responses by building core skills as well as leadership and management capacity among humanitarian staff - especially national staff, who are increasingly at the forefront of humanitarian response.
 
Running until 2017, Context will offer two programmes in the Middle East and East Africa, initially in Jordan and Kenya: Core Skills Development, a six-month programme focused on key humanitarian skills and concepts; and Management and Leadership Skills Development, a nine-month programme focused on management and leadership in emergency situations.

Context in Kenya || A constant learning journey!

Putting participants in the driving seat

Context is based on the Core Humanitarian Competencies Framework and delivered by experienced, local RedR trainers. Two highly interactive, face-to-face workshops will introduce participants to key humanitarian and leadership concepts and skills.
 
Selma Scheewe, RedR UK Quality and Learning Manager, said: "Crucially, over the course of the programme, participants continue their vital field roles: on-the-job learning with the professional guidance of a coach is key to the programme. The participant is in the driving seat, develops his or her own learning plan, and literally, puts the training 'in context' during his or her day-to-day work."
 
Evidence from the 2011 pilot shows that Context’s two programmes provide participants with positive affirmation about their roles in humanitarian work, help them feel better prepared for the future, and better able to see their own role in a wider context. 

I have noted improvement in my work, better coordination, and more effective time management under pressure. Across my sub-county, there is increased support from the way I engage my staff, a better feedback mechanism, and wider awareness and application of the Sphere standards - especially in the quarterly food distribution programme.

Mohamed Ibrahim Yussuf, Sub-County Administrator in Lafey, Kenya

Mohamed attended 'Core Skills Development' in 2016

Meet the trainees

Find out how Context is facilitating professional and personal growth for aid workers around the world!

Lina's storyMohamed's story

Lessons on Blended Learning

Workshops, coaching, buddy groups, online learning, line manager engagement, action planning, learning projects and a graduation event - all this is part of the Context programme!

There is widespread consensus that capacity-building should go beyond a single training event - but what ‘works’ best in blended learning for humanitarian professionals? Read our report!

Lessons on Blended Learning

Knowledge is power, right? When you’re speaking from a position of knowledge, you feel better able to negotiate solutions and to mitigate the challenges that you face. Gaining more knowledge, and being able to rely on a network of team members, along with a coach, gives you the confidence that you can find solutions for the problems that you alone cannot solve. This is what I'll take away from Context.

Rozan Khalifeh

Project Manager and 'Management and Leadership' participant, Jordan

Our Partners

Context, led globally by Oxfam GB, is part of the Start Network's Talent Development project. The latter is one of fourteen projects in a portfolio funded by UK Aid (DFID).

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