Program Overview
The PGD program in Gender and Project Management is designed to enhance the capacity of students to develop skills and strategies on integrating and applying new knowledge and techniques acquired from the course to promote sustainable development action in their economy. The focus of the courses is on analyzing the extent of gender sensitivity of development interventions, conduct critically analyze gender differentials in Project development, identify research designs and methodologies, in gender and project management. It will meet the need for qualified gender experts to run the proposed institutional machinery for the promotion of Gender and development in the developing countries.
Main Objective
The overall goal of the PGD program is to empower students with the skills and techniques of mainstreaming gender in development projects. The training aims at creating a gender responsive constituency within developing areas with a capacity to incorporate gender concern at all levels of planning, implementation and evaluation of development projects. Specifically, this course:
- Strengthens participants understanding of gender concepts, gender focus approach in development
- Empower students with the fundamentals as well as the core strategic tools to handle development projects related to the practice of public and private development administration.
Target Audience
The program targets qualified candidates with Bachelor’s Degree in Development Studies, and other relevant qualifications in development. Prospective candidate with Higher National/Technical Diploma and some years of working experience can also be admitted into the Professional PGD Program. The course is also designed for project planners, management staff, and trainers from government and private sector who are involved in planning and managing projects.
Duration of the Course
This program will cover a period of one calendar year (12 months).
Program Structure
The curriculum focuses on providing students with in-depth knowledge of gender concepts and how to plan and control projects. It teaches students the life cycle of a project and how to maintain project quality and manage procurement issues. The coursework develops and enhances various skills students need to become efficient Gender Experts and Project Managers. These skills include analytical skills, innovative drive, communication, writing, technical skills, business, time management, decision making skills and others. Students then choose from a range of options with strong relevance for gender and development projects, covering socio-economic movements, international social policy and other knowledge in related areas.
Internship and field placement are an essential part of the course. PAID-WA’s objective is to expose students with the fundamentals as well as the core strategic tools in handling issues related to the practice of public and private development administration. The course culminates in writing a Research Thesis chosen by the student and mutually agreed upon by the Supervisory Post-Graduate Committee. Contributions in research journals and other academic international periodicals are highly encouraged to create the necessary scholarly visibility that is seen in their strategies for new policy formulations in project development planning, management, monitoring and evaluation.
Methodology
The program will comprise of formal lectures, tutorials, field visits, practical field work, internship training, seminar presentations, report and project writing. Lectures will emphasize as much as possible on interactive and participatory learning.
Learning Outcome
At the end of the course, graduates and certificate holders should have gained, among other skills, knowledge of how to:
- Mainstream gender in the socio economic and political development processes as they manage and handle development issues efficiently.
- Determine and plan gender sensitive projects and program through innovative and entrepreneurship skills.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates may gain employment in various sectors such as private, parastatal and government institutions. Other opportunities are also available in international organizations and NGOs, LSOs, CIGs, financial institutions, oil companies, embassies, and outsourcing agencies, among others.