1. Accountability to primary clients 2. Steering donors 3. Build trust with Host Gov’s 4. Workers’ protection & development 5. Unifying the core of humanitarianism 6. Build future of profession

Professionalising the Humanitarian Sector 1. What are the problems to address (why bother) 2. Existing environment 3. Scope: demographics, sector- breadth 4. Content: values, skills, knowledge, experience 5. Certification system 6. Cost structure 7. Professional supporting structures 8. Relationship to funders, clients and profession

Existing environment Consortia such as, Nairobi IAWG, ALNAP NGOs, INGOs, Learning Providers - Bioforce, Mango, People in Aid, Bond, Intrac Masters degrees Other course providers In-house systems

Scope Demographics (1,000s) Issues One system or many? Sociology of aid workers? For what jobs and sectors are people recruited? Career paths? Competencies of present workers? Source: ALNAP 2009, forthcoming Oxfam-GB 4,600 emp’ 203 (4.4% are HP)

5 Criteria for a modern profession Monopoly on specialized knowledge Knowledge used in an altruistic fashion Therefore autonomy to self regulate Responsibility to expand the Knowledge Responsive to the users of the profession Source: Cruess, Richard L, Sylvia R Cruess, and Sharon E Johnston. "Professionalism: an ideal to be sustained. " The Lancet (July 8, 2000): 156.

Professions and Social Movements License Laws Credentials Rules Standards Guidelines Interest experience affiliations association movement Regulation Social Movement

Layering professions 1 st Profession Medicine Law Accountancy Logistics 2 nd Hum’ core Values Skills Knowledge Experience 3 rd Specialize Skills Knowledge Experience

Core Content / Competencies Source: ALNAP 2009, forthcoming Values Skills Knowledge Experience LogisticsNutrition

Nursing Analytic/assessment 2. Policy development/ program planning 3. Communication skills 4. Cultural Competency skills 5. Community dimensions of practice skills 6. Basic Public health sciences skills 7. Financial Planning and management skills 8. Leadership and systems thinking skills

Certification system In the UK Higher education Continuing education Vocational training Professional accreditation National > International Generic national model Ethiopia? Pakistan? USA? ISO/IEC 17024:2003 International Personnel Certification Association

Cost structure Who Pays? The State? The Employer The professional? Viable cost structure

Professional supporting structures Professional association Business association Academic association Research & Publishing

System? Course Content Training Institute Trainer Acreditation Content Accreditation

Focus Group Dan’s course

Key questions 1. What should be the core competencies? 2. Would you have used a certification system? 3. What’s the argument against

Survey pop’: Experience 1,223 respondents 1,020 completed

Survey pop’: Origin

Why Bother? 91.3%, yes to professionalism

Curriculum: Values

Curriculum: Knowledge

Curriculum: Skills

What else?