Objective of the Programme

The Pathways to Development Programme is designed to support, train, and mentor humanitarian engineering leaders as part of a global community. We seek to create a cohort of members who are confident in advocating for the universal application of humanitarian engineering within the sector, and able to support meaningful community engagement.

As a core part of the programme, participants will define a project that is both meaningful and engaging for them, as well as contributing positively to society. This project will then gradually be defined throughout the course of the programme as participants learn various skills and open themselves up to different mindsets.

This sees the programme undertaken in multiple stages:

1. A purposing workshop, to assist the participant define their community project
2. A series of modules to build the skills necessary to deliver this project effectively. Participants who meet a set criteria will be considered a competent humanitarian engineer.
3. An action phase, where participants are mentored through the delivery of their project.

The Programme Parts

1. Purposing workshop: Understanding Self

• Invitation to define a personal vision statement
• Invitation to define a personal challenge
• Development of a plan to manage personal resilience

Outcome: Definition of personal vision, outline of project scope.
Time commitment: One day

2. Module Series: Leadership and Humanitarian Engineering

• Full engagement in programme for 12 fortnightly sessions, including a contribution to the learning of other members of the cohort
• Constructive feedback from facilitator on the participant’s exploration of concepts around change - providing a diversity of viewpoints.
• Further refinement of a project plan for the personal challenge based on concepts learnt

Outcome: A completed project plan
Time commitment: Fortnightly pre-readings (3-4 hours), meeting with cohort (2 hours) and updating of Project Plan (1 hour)

3. Action: Personal Challenge Review, Feedback and Ongoing Mentoring

• One-on-one meeting for review of project plan by EWBNZ staff with personalised feedback
• Sourcing of a mentor
• Regular check-ins to monitor progress throughout the completion of the project

Outcome: Completion of project
Time Commitment: As per project. Mentor meetings expected to be monthly, for approximately one hour. Review with EWB Staff approximately four hours.

The Modules

1. Engineering Impact – an examination of what engineering projects would look like if community wellbeing was defined as the objective
2. Intro to Community Development History and Theory – a look at the history of “development” and what that means, including the role of the SDGs.
3. Voluntourism & the Saviour Complex – an examination of the thought mechanisms behind development 'interventions', and a look at other approaches.
4. Localisation & Locally-Led Development – a look at the fundamental power structures within aid and development, how to recognise this, and how to facilitate development that is locally-led.
5. Working Cross-culturally - an examination of worldviews, how these can differ across cultures, and how to manage accordingly
6. Theory of Change and Programme Logics – a demonstration of the power of theories of change to articulating the actions necessary to bring about development
7. Monitoring and Evaluation – using monitoring and evaluation tools to ensure that projects are achieving the intended impacts.
8. Stakeholder Analysis and Engagement - consideration of stakeholders and how best to engage or influence them
9. Gender Equity & Social Inclusion – looking at different approaches to achieve more equitable outcomes.
10. Defining Leadership and Culture – a run through of the fundamentals of leadership and culture and what is required to shift cultures in a positive direction.
11. Values-based Communication – a look at communication, and how we can use values to reach across political divides and build common understanding.
12. Active Listening and Empathy – building on communication skills, a look at what is required to truly engage with someone on an individual interpersonal level
13. Leading Effective Teams –this module looks at the skills required to use Susan Wheelan’s framework for creating high preforming teams.

Alternative formats

For businesses, universities or other organisations we are able to run the programme in-house as a four or five day (depending on your preferences) workshop, and can generally alter the content to suit your needs. This is perfect for any staff that you may have who are working on projects internationally. If you are interested, please get in touch.