Competence profile
On completion of the Master of Disaster Management the graduates will be able to:
Knowledge
- Demonstrate knowledge of international humanitarian frameworks, standards, principles and codes of conduct.
- Demonstrate research based knowledge and a comprehensive understanding of the three interrelated processes of disaster management (disaster risk reduction, response and recovery) as well as identifying scientific challenges within the areas.
- Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the complex interrelation of stakeholders in the context of the evolving field of disaster management.
- Have an understanding of the complexity of vulnerability in disasters and the ability to relate issues of health, socio-economic, political, physical, and environmental vulnerabilities.
- Critically relate the understanding of theories and practices of disaster management to the political, social, economic and cultural contexts of disasters.
Skills
- Apply appropriate research methodologies to theoretical and practical issues in disaster management
- Identify, analyse and assess risk capacities and vulnerabilities and design appropriate evidence-based interventions
- Implement and monitor integrated disaster risk reduction, response and recovery activities
- Communicate academic findings to an interdisciplinary audience
- Communicate effectively with affected populations and other stakeholders in disaster management planning and operations
Competences
- Search and critically evaluate research based literature
- Synthesise complex information and make flexible strategic decisions in emergencies and disaster situations
- Develop and maintain interdisciplinary and cross-cultural collaboration in complex and unpredictable situations
- Identify and take responsibility for individual needs for further learning within the field of disaster management
- Learn from experience and stakeholder involvement and apply lessons learnt to build capacities, strengthen resilience and reduce vulnerability
Poul Nielson says...
"Perhaps the secret of OCHA's success has been that not many have really known about it. The coordinator has not tried to become the owner and master of the whole operation, but let the different actors on the ground keep their identity while securing a certain level of order and rationality in the operation. The Master of Disaster Management programme can contribute to bring this further forward by stimulating the emergence of a shared professional approach.
I strongly welcome this effort of professionalizing - in all the meanings of the term - the work of managing and delivering humanitarian aid and disaster relief."
Poul Nielson
Former European Commissioner of Humanitarian Aid and Development