Changes in demographics, patterns in human settlement, decisions in land use and political and social policy dynamics have augmented vulnerability to natural as well as man-made conflicts. It only takes a few minutes to bring down developments that have been made through many years, a lot of funds as well as efforts. When disaster strikes, if not addressed well they can render an organization, a community or even a country dysfunctional. The magnitude of effects from conflict is on a sharp increase daily and this has been attributed to changes in climate, urbanization, industrialization and terrorism.

Conflicts cannot be eliminated completely, in fact they are likely to reoccur in different ways often and there is need to manage them well to either benefit from them or build good working relationships with partners and governments. Conflicts have either positive or negative consequences and whatever that determines the outcome is the way a particular situation is handled. 

The course will benefit learners through changing destructive responses to conflict such as confrontation, threats, anger and unfair treatment to equipping them with real-life scenarios explaining how other conflict scenarios were handled and trying to relate with the same. The media is a powerful tool as far as the reputation of any organization is concerned, the course will equip learners on how to handle the media as a tool of communication and other social cites when conflict strikes.

This course doesn’t look at conflict in the place of work only but also from our places of residence because if an employee has a domestic conflict there are chances that work output of that employee will not be to par. Domestic conflicts are almost inevitable and this course is likely to motivate employees in any organization on how to address disputes more quickly and effectively preventing them from growing into domestic or international crises. We as Capacity Training Africa institute would like our learners to see any conflict situation as an opportunity of building positive relationships, creating beneficial coalitions, to foster communication and an opportunity to innovate new ideas, rules as well as laws.

This course aims at equipping participants with knowledge and skills on how to manage conflict while working collaboratively towards a win/win resolution for the effected parties.

Course Objectives

• Define conflict.
• Identify assumptions of conflict.
• Recognize the five styles of conflict resolution, the benefits and pitfalls of each style.
• Demonstrate the important role communication plays in conflict resolution and management
• Understand the principles of negotiation, mediation, and advocacy 
• Select and apply negotiation, mediation, and advocacy skills in a variety of social work contexts
• Discuss the effect that power has on conflict resolution.

Implement a strategy for continuous conflict management

Module One:

Introduction to Conflict Management This module gives an overview of the various common types and causes of conflicts as well as what negative consequences businesses will encounter if they don’t properly prevent or manage conflicts. It explains who is at greatest risk of encountering difficult behaviour and what duties the law places on businesses.

• Why is conflict management important? 
• Types of conflict 
• Causes of conflict 
• Causes of conflict: examples 
• Consequences of conflict 
• Who is at risk? 
• The law

Module Two: 

Conflict Risk Assessment This module explains the importance of looking out for signs of ongoing conflicts or risks that could lead to a conflict if not dealt with, and how to take action to correct any issues. It focuses on a 6-step process for carrying out a risk assessment, and briefly looks at what employers and employees should do to assist in conflict management.

What is a conflict risk assessment?

• Step 1: look for conflict risks
• Step 2: recognize who might be at risk
• Step 3: evaluate risks and decide on precautions
• Step 4: implement procedures and notify staff
• Step 5: record your findings and implementations
• Step 6: monitor, review, and update

Module Three: 

Preventing Conflict This module looks at various strategies for preventingconflicts in the workplace, such as providing staff withtraining that helps them fulfill their role better or improvestheir interaction with others. It demonstrates that there isa wide range of methods available for preventing conflicts,and management must use discretion to choose the mostsuitable options for reducing risks in the workplace.

• Behavioural changes
• Preventative procedures
• Staff training
• Changing the workplace layout
• Changing job roles/design/hours
• Improving access/lighting/security
• Having one-to-ones
• Encouraging employee feedback
• Preventing common causes of conflict
• Seeking professional help
• Discrimination

Module Four:

Handling Conflict This module explores the ways in which conflicts can betackled head on. It discusses what you should do during aconfrontation with someone to diffuse the tension safelyand positively, and what types of alternative disputeresolution can be used to handle ongoing cases.

• Dealing with confrontation
• Offering support
• Reporting and recording incidents
• Intervening
• Informal discussions
• Mediation
• Conciliation
• Arbitration
• Employment tribunals

Who should enroll?

This is diploma suitable for persons working in or planning to enter the humanitarian sector, including staff of humanitarian aid organizations, governments, and UN agencies. There are no prerequisites for this course. All participants are expected to have theoretical knowledge of humanitarianism, although humanitarian aid experience is not presumed

Training Format: 

• All materials are made available through our Online Learning Platform

• Students should commit approximately 5-6 hours of their time per week

Materials Provided: 

Online delivery of curriculum materials, exercises and templates.

Assignments:

In order to demonstrate their understanding of the course content, students will be required to submit assignments at the end of every month.

Duration of course – 6 months

REGIONS TARGETED: Global

COURSE FEE: $800

ORGANIZERS: Africa Institute for Project Management Studies (AIPMS)

LANGUAGE: English Only

FORMAT: Online Learning

GENERAL COURSE CONTACT: 

The Academics Manager

Email: info@africadevelopmentresources.org

Website: www.africadevelopmentresources.org