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  • Category Virtual Classroom
  • Duration 10h
  • Language English
  • Date 20-21 April 2026

Virtual Classroom

Humanitarian Needs Assessment: key concepts and practices

This 2-day online course is designed to introduce junior humanitarian practitioners to the key concepts and challenges associated with the appraisal of disaster-affected populations’ needs in humanitarian settings. Through a blend of theoretical sessions and collaborative exercises, participants will acquire the essential notions to design, plan and conduct a rapid needs assessment.   

Course Description

This interactive training equips early-career humanitarian staff with the knowledge and skills needed to understand and carry out effective needs assessments in crisis situations. Participants will explore the cycle of assessment work, from preparedness and coordination through to data collection, analysis, and communication of findings. Using a “good enough” approach, the course emphasizes practical decision-making under constraints and highlights ways to avoid duplication, ensure inclusion, and uphold ethical standards when engaging with affected communities.

 

Through a mix of facilitated discussions and case-based exercises, learners will gain familiarity with both secondary and primary data sources, site selection and sampling strategies, and commonly used data collection tools. The course also develops participants’ ability to critically assess data quality and identify gaps. By the end, participants will be better equipped to contribute to coordinated, timely, and context-sensitive assessments that inform humanitarian priorities and programming.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

 

  • Understand and apply the principles of equitable partnerships, localisation, and locally-led action
  • Design and manage governance, accountability, and risk-sharing mechanisms in partnership frameworks
  • Conduct effective capacity and due diligence assessments to strengthen partnership building
  • Apply collaboration systems, facilitation techniques, and knowledge management tools for effective cooperation
  • Develop and manage financial support and sub-granting schemes as strategic instruments for sustainable localisation
Course structure and timing

By subscribing to this course, you will have access to a dedicated page on the PuntoSud Academy Learning Platform. From here, you can join the live sessions, download the course materials and complete all the assignments.

 

The course is structured in 2 days of interactive online sessions combined with self-learning. The total estimated time for completion of the course is approximately 10 hours.

 

  • Preliminary tasks – approx. 1 hour. You will be asked to share your expectations through a short survey, review selected preparatory materials and complete an entry test that will serve as a baseline for the course.

 

  • Live sessions – 8 hours (2 sessions of 4 hours each). The core learning experience will take place during live, highly interactive sessions facilitated by experienced PuntoSud practitioners. Across 6 modules, you will explore all phases of a rapid needs assessment—from preparedness and secondary data review to primary data collection, analysis, and dissemination of findings. Activities will include lectures, plenary and small-group discussions, simulations, quizzes, and collaborative exercises inspired by real-life field challenges. All sessions will be recorded and made available on the learning platform for later review.

 

  • Additional learning material – approx. 30 minutes, you will have at your disposal additional readings and documents that you can study at your own pace.

 

  • Forum discussion. You will be able to exchange ideas, ask questions, and share relevant experiences with trainers and other participants through the course discussion forum on the PuntoSud Academy learning platform.

 

  • Final tasks – approx. 30 minutes. At the end of the course, you will complete an exit test to appraise your knowledge acquisition and fill out an evaluation form to reflect on your learning journey and provide feedback to PuntoSud Academy for future improvements.
Who is this course for

This course is intended for junior humanitarian practitioners with one to three years of experience, working in international and local NGOs, UN agencies, or Red Cross/Red Crescent societies. It is particularly relevant for staff engaged in programme design, monitoring and evaluation or field coordination functions where rapid needs assessments are an essential task. A basic understanding of humanitarian principles, project cycle management and field-level data collection is recommended for participants to fully benefit from the training.

How long you will have access to training material

All the material will be available 7 calendar days before the starting date and until 30 calendar days after the end of the last training session.

Certificate of attendance

Once you have completed all the training material and passed the exit test, your certificate of attendance for each specific course will be available to download from the learning platform. The certificates are always available in your profile page with historical data of all PuntoSud Academy courses you’ve attended.

How to buy the course and other FAQs

For any queries please have a look at our FAQs. If you don’t find what you’re looking for or need additional information, please get in touch with our customer care service.

380Euro

(excluding VAT - to be added if due)

Select dates

Enrolments

Max: 25 | Min: 8

Online Platform

PuntoSud Academy Learning Platform

Time

h 9.30-13.30 CET/CEST

Booking Deadline

Booking will close on 19/04/2026

Discount for Multiple Booking Details

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Skill Level

Intermediate - Advanced