Italy: Intensive Course: Preparing and Implementing an ECHO Humanitarian Action

OVERVIEW

Humanitarian actions must be an effective and ethical expression of human solidarity. Humanitarian aid aims at saving lives, alleviating suffering and protecting human dignity during and in the aftermath of emergencies through material and logistical assistance. The consequences of disasters are devastating and diverse: lives are lost, housing, crops and livelihoods destroyed. Humanitarian aid is provided in a variety of forms, depending on the nature of the crisis. It can range from food, clothes, healthcare, shelter, water and sanitation to emergency repairs to infrastructure, demining actions, psychological support and education.

Humanitarian aid actors today face a number of major challenges. There has been an increasing tendency to ignore or deliberately violate International Law, including International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights Law and Refugee Law. (European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid).

Most part of humanitarian aid operations are funded by public institutions, with the European Union representing the world's biggest donor of humanitarian aid. The Commission's European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) implements humanitarian operations, through the cooperation with over 200 partners (United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations and international organizations). In partnership with these humanitarian organizations ECHO has a very fast response capacity, which allows funding and staff to be rapidly deployed to where help is most needed. Working with public funding entails a specific objective and approaches framework, to ensure accountability to taxpayers and, even more importantly, to people affected by crises. In recent years, increased need for accountability and transparency led to the definition of a more complex set of regulations, defining roles and responsibility of ECHO and its partners.

That’s why, the availability of trained professionals is crucial to ensure an adequate, effective, equitable and flexible delivery of Aid. Likewise, the knowledge on how to apply ECHO rules and procedures represents the first key element in the education of young professionals willing to work in the field of humanitarian aid.

The training, developed in the context of the Framework Contract signed between Echo and the Consortium lead by Punto.Sud in 2013 , also provides in depth analysis of the 2015 Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA). Image may be NSFW.
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During the five-day training, the Intensive Course: Preparing and Implementing an ECHO Humanitarian Action will touch upon the following issues:

• ECHO overview (legal basis, main actors, decision making process);
• Action planning phase (proposal preparation and submission);
• Action implementation phase (management of costs, supplies, distribution of cash and/or vouchers, reporting and plan modifications);
• Action closure phase (closure activities, final reporting, payment and audit).

Before and after the course participants will have the opportunity to access a distance learning course managed by the Italian NGO Punto.Sud and validated by ECHO, that will provide an overview of the topics covered during in-class sessions.

The in-class courses for maximum 25 people will take place in Milan (Italy) from 16th to 20th May 2016 (5 days), from 9.30-17.00.

All classes will be held in English.

At the end of the course participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance

FACILITATORS AND EXPERTS

Staff and experts come from Punto.Sud and are experienced workers at both HQ and field levels of ECHO programmes, specialized in delivering trainings according to established quality criteria for adult learning.

REQUIREMENTS

The course is open and suitable for university students, graduates, professionals and operators looking to work in the field of humanitarian aid, especially in ECHO programs. This course serves both as introduction to and specialization on ECHO specific procedures and policies.

A good knowledge of English is essential for participation.

HOW TO APPLY

To enroll to the Intensive Course: Preparing and Implementing an ECHO humanitarian action send your CV by email to ****echo.course@ispionline.it****or by fax to +39 02 863.313.354 by**28th April** 2016. Please note that this is the final deadline.

If the application is accepted applicants will be notified by email.
It is possible to pay at ISPI‘s administrative office, via Clerici 5, Milan, Italy (Monday‐Friday, 2.30pm‐5pm) or by Bank Transfer (the details of which are shown on the application form that will be sent to accepted applicants). It is necessary to send a copy of the transfer receipt by email to echo.course@ispionline.itor by fax to +39 02.863313354 to complete the enrolment.

The Intensive Course has limited places available, and will only take place if an adequate number of enrolments is reached.

COST

The cost for the Intensive Course is 960 Euro (VAT included). The fee does not include expenses for travel, housing or meals.

Advance Booking - 31st March 2016: early enrollment fee is 800 Euro.

For further information please write to echo.course@ispionline.it or call + 39 02.863313220