Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

CHCDHA502A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Manage humanitarian assistance operations

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency CHCDHA502A - Manage humanitarian assistance operations
Description This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to effectively manage local relief operations while supporting the strategic objectives of the organisation and adhering to organisation and international policy and practice requirements
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit may be applied in a range of humanitarian assistance work contexts and should reflect the concepts and principles of aid effectiveness and community development (i.e. ownership, alignment, harmonisation, managing for results and mutual accountability) as embodied in the Paris Declaration and Accra Agenda for Action (AAA)The application context is very demanding, with very low levels of support and infrastructure present and work must be undertaken at a rapid rate and simultaneously with multiple other tasksThese skills and knowledge are to be applied within the scope of the person's role and authority
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not Applicable
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities
Slides
PPT
Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Organise and lead a humanitarian assistanceteam
  • Prepare preliminary estimates of human, financial and other resource needs based on the scope of likely humanitarian response
  • Coordinate with key organisation support units, including human resources, information technology and logistics for support and advice, and establish close working relationship with these units
  • Implement management information systems according to organisation guidelines
  • Provide orientation and briefing to the team in line with the concepts and principles of aid effectiveness and community development
       
Element: Plan the operation
  • Develop operational plan and business plan that is aligned with program strategy, using appropriate tools
  • Determine key activities appropriate to the response level and according to organisational guidelines, program design, donor and grant requirements
  • Formulate immediate action steps to involve stakeholders
  • Gather data to determine program design and response, geographic targets, population targets and the range of other essential critical decisions required for program effectiveness
  • Ensure planning includes issues of stakeholders with special needs and disadvantages
  • Prepare schedules to ensure that resources are brought in at the right times
       
Element: Implement and manage the humanitarian assistance project cycle
  • Conduct and lead team assessments in a timely manner
  • Implement planning and design processes according to organisation guidelines
  • Ensure that funding is available
  • Define roles and responsibilities of key external stakeholders
  • Delegate tasks to appropriate personnel
  • Ensure that design and management of relief response complies with organisational policies and other international humanitarian standards
  • Manage project cycle to maximise program effectiveness and to ensure processes are being followed
  • Monitor and assess changing and evolving needs as the situation develops
  • Monitor and assess initial response and its long term implications, and make decisions according to assessment
  • Monitor and assess expenditures according to organisation guidelines
  • Document project activities and progress and ensure documentation of best practice and innovation into project plans and budgets
  • Prepare update and situation reports
       
Element: Maintain local security strategy
  • Conduct security assessments in coordination with security officer and other relevant key officers
  • Determine ways to protect and secure organisation and project assets and resources
  • Coordinate with security officer to ensure that critical documents such as evacuation and field security policy, operation and contingency plans are developed and updated
  • Ensure staff safety according to organisation standards and procedures
       
Element: Build strategic alliances with key stakeholders
  • Build positive relationships with key stakeholders during the initial months of the response
  • Conduct regular consultations with key stakeholders and provide relevant updates
  • Advocate as required to ensure inclusion and engagement of stakeholders with special needs and disadvantages
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this unit of competency:

The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills

The application of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or realistically simulated workplace

Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints

Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace

The circumstantial or unsolicited testimony of project participants, governments or other non-government organisations regarding ethical behaviour should be considered as significant evidence in relation to this unit

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances

Access and equity considerations:

All workers in development and humanitarian assistance should be aware of access, equity and human rights issues in their own area of work

All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment

In particular workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues facing the people and culture in which they are working

Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues relating to the culture in which they are working

Context of and specific resources for assessment:

This unit may be assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other related units of competency is encouraged

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge, other than confirmatory questions, will usually be conducted in an off-site context

Resources required for assessment include access to:

workplace location or simulated workplace

specifications and work instructions

policy manuals and procedure manuals (international and local, including humanitarian assistance operations and security manuals)

relevant documents (such as assessment notes response plans and reports) and standards documents

relevant equipment (such as office equipment and communications equipment)

managers, co-workers and local staff

Method of assessment:

Assessment needs to take into consideration the practical difficulties associated with attempting on-job assessment in the humanitarian assistance environment

Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on underpinning knowledge

Assessment may be applied under project related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process

Assessment should be supported by supplementary evidence from a wide range of sources, preferably including evidence from one or more field situations


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Essential knowledge:

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

This includes:

Organisation goals, structures, policies and procedures, support systems and personnel

Humanitarian assistance operations

Program and project management

Project cycle and field operations

Human resource management principles

Financial procedures

Management information systems

Donor priorities and structures

Planning tools and assessment tools

Strategic planning

All legislation relevant to the organisation's operation

Critical path/program evaluation and review technique (PERT) methodology

Consultative methods and processes

Performance management

Relevant organisation software

Local and international occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements

Emergency and development programming

High level of understanding of emergency relief administration, program response, program design and project writing

Strong knowledge of computer applications including word processing and spreadsheets

Early warning analysis and emergency program

Implementation of emergency relief and disaster mitigation (ERDM) strategies as defined by documents, meetings and other gatherings

Food aid programming or logistics

International humanitarianism, sphere standards and international codes of conduct

Transition management

Security assessments

Relevant organisation code(s) of conduct

Agency guidelines, such as:

Australian Agency for International Aid (AusAID) guidelines, including Development for All (Disability) Strategy and Child Protection Policy

U.S. Agency for International Development Field Operational Guide (USAID FOG)

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) guidelines, especially on specific projects for vulnerable groups

other relevant agency guidelines

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Effectively plan, organise and manage international humanitarian assistance operations, develop and prepare operational and business plans, and security and contingency plans

Effectively ensure staff safety, security arrangements and available funding

Effectively use culturally appropriate and sensitive assessment and monitoring methods, prepare and produce assessment, monitoring and situation reports including findings and recommendations

Effectively communicate with, work safely, coordinate and build positive relationships with affected communities, relief team, key support units and other relevant key stakeholders and agencies

Comply with relevant organisation, international and donor policies, procedures and requirements

Use high level diplomacy skills for relationship building with local government, multilateral organisations, donors and other non-government organisations

Work with a reasonable level of comfort in high tension and high security risk situations

Maintain performance expectations in diverse cultural contexts, psychologically stressful environments and physical hardship conditions with limited resources

Demonstrate a high degree of negotiation and persuasion skills to seek funding commitments from donors, special arrangements and concessions from local governments

Promote team building environment and transfer skills and knowledge to team

Adjust to harsh living conditions and demonstrate emotional maturity

In addition, the candidate must be able to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

These include the ability to:

Apply skills in:

people capacity building

mentoring, coaching and training

using appropriate communication and interpersonal techniques with colleagues and others and participating in a team environment to complete tasks

identifying problems and appropriate response procedures and initiating new ideas or work methodologies

accurately planning and organising work activities

efficiently managing self responsibilities and timelines for completion of work

thinking, problem solving and conceptual techniques

analysis and evaluation

performance management, planning and coordination

project management and report writing

working safely and encouraging a safe workplace

networking

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Humanitarian assistance team may include:

Highly experienced professionals in:

needs assessment

programming

project management

health

nutrition

food distribution

logistics

water and sanitation

finance

disaster mitigation

agriculture

human resource

Management information systems may include:

Schedules of meetings with sector managers and other key staff

Internal tracking and evaluation systems

Prescribed organisation software systems

Hard copy or electronic reporting systems

External reporting systems, including schedule of reports to organisation and donor

Concepts and principles of aid effectiveness and community development include:

Ownership, including:

using delivery processes that support partner countries to exercise effective leadership over their development policies and strategies

coordinating development actions

involving communities and local government in decision making, implementation, monitoring and evaluation

encouraging community's and local government's contribution to problem solving

Alignment, involving maintaining a comprehensive understanding of partner countries' national development strategies, institutions and procedures to guide program delivery

Harmonisation:

actively seeking to collaborate with other Official Development Assistance (ODA) partners to create added value and greater development effectiveness

Managing for results, including continuous improvement of systems to:

manage for development results

support evidence-based decision making

Mutual accountability, involving demonstration of:

full transparency and accountability for the use of development resources in program delivery

Appropriate tools may include:

Critical path method

Mapping needs

Resources

Competitors

Competencies and using intersections as the basis for planning

Complementarity to regional strategies and plans

Complementarity to national strategy and plan

Response level may include:

The first 24 to 72 hours, first 7 days, first 30 days, next 90 days, following one year

Response level according to critical criteria such as:

national office capacity

donor funding potential

staff required

capacity to support

Terms such as low level, medium level, maximum level

Stakeholders with special needs and disadvantages may include:

Refugees

Children

The elderly

Widowed

People with disabilities

Resources may include:

Project supplies and equipment such as:

blankets, water, water container, food, cooking kits, clothes and plastic sheeting

communications equipment including:

satellite phones, cellular phones, fax machines, hand held radios and high frequency radios

laptop computers with all necessary software

information, manuals, policies and forms needed for administration and operations

Assessments may include:

Early warning indicators for communities

Assessment surveys

Area Development Program (ADP) or Village Damage and Needs assessment forms

Checklist on external stakeholders

Processes may include:

Concept phase

Seed phase

Design

Implementation phase

Exit strategy

External stakeholders may include:

International organisations such as:

World Health Organisation (WHO)

World Food Program (WFP)

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

United Nations Development Program (UNDP)

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

World Bank

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)

Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)

International non-government organisations

National Council of Churches

Government donors

Government ministries (e.g. in health, agriculture and labour)

Project cycle may include:

Assessment

Analysis

Design

Marketing

Monitoring

Reporting

Evaluation

Assets may include:

Vehicles

Office equipment

Office machinery

Office furniture

Communication devices

Key stakeholders may include:

Local government

Other government agencies

Local partners

Donors

International non-government organisations

United Nations agencies

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Prepare preliminary estimates of human, financial and other resource needs based on the scope of likely humanitarian response 
Coordinate with key organisation support units, including human resources, information technology and logistics for support and advice, and establish close working relationship with these units 
Implement management information systems according to organisation guidelines 
Provide orientation and briefing to the team in line with the concepts and principles of aid effectiveness and community development 
Develop operational plan and business plan that is aligned with program strategy, using appropriate tools 
Determine key activities appropriate to the response level and according to organisational guidelines, program design, donor and grant requirements 
Formulate immediate action steps to involve stakeholders 
Gather data to determine program design and response, geographic targets, population targets and the range of other essential critical decisions required for program effectiveness 
Ensure planning includes issues of stakeholders with special needs and disadvantages 
Prepare schedules to ensure that resources are brought in at the right times 
Conduct and lead team assessments in a timely manner 
Implement planning and design processes according to organisation guidelines 
Ensure that funding is available 
Define roles and responsibilities of key external stakeholders 
Delegate tasks to appropriate personnel 
Ensure that design and management of relief response complies with organisational policies and other international humanitarian standards 
Manage project cycle to maximise program effectiveness and to ensure processes are being followed 
Monitor and assess changing and evolving needs as the situation develops 
Monitor and assess initial response and its long term implications, and make decisions according to assessment 
Monitor and assess expenditures according to organisation guidelines 
Document project activities and progress and ensure documentation of best practice and innovation into project plans and budgets 
Prepare update and situation reports 
Conduct security assessments in coordination with security officer and other relevant key officers 
Determine ways to protect and secure organisation and project assets and resources 
Coordinate with security officer to ensure that critical documents such as evacuation and field security policy, operation and contingency plans are developed and updated 
Ensure staff safety according to organisation standards and procedures 
Build positive relationships with key stakeholders during the initial months of the response 
Conduct regular consultations with key stakeholders and provide relevant updates 
Advocate as required to ensure inclusion and engagement of stakeholders with special needs and disadvantages 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CHCDHA502A - Manage humanitarian assistance operations
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

CHCDHA502A - Manage humanitarian assistance operations

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: