Public Health Programme Management for NGOs Training Course

Course Introduction

Public health programme management is a critical function in strengthening health systems, preventing disease outbreaks, and improving population health outcomes, especially in vulnerable and resource-limited settings. This course equips NGO professionals with the technical, managerial, and strategic competencies required to design, implement, and manage effective public health programmes that respond to community health needs.

Globally, public health challenges such as infectious diseases, malnutrition, maternal and child health complications, and emerging epidemics continue to strain health systems. NGOs play a vital role in filling service delivery gaps, yet many struggle with programme design, coordination, and sustainability. This training builds capacity to address these challenges through structured and evidence-based approaches.

Effective public health programming requires a multidisciplinary understanding of epidemiology, health systems, community engagement, and program management. It also requires strong coordination with governments, donors, and health actors. This course provides participants with practical tools to integrate these components into cohesive and impactful health programmes.

Public health programmes must be designed with a strong focus on equity, ensuring that marginalized populations have access to essential health services. This training emphasizes inclusive programming approaches that address gender, disability, age, and socio-economic disparities in health service delivery and outcomes.

Monitoring, evaluation, and learning are essential for ensuring accountability and improving health programme effectiveness. However, many NGOs face challenges in developing strong data systems and using evidence for decision-making. This course strengthens participants’ capacity to design robust M&E frameworks for public health interventions.

Through case studies, simulations, and applied exercises, participants will gain hands-on experience in managing public health programmes from assessment to evaluation. The course bridges theory and practice, enabling participants to apply learning directly within NGO and humanitarian contexts.

Duration

10 days

Who Should Attend

• Public Health Programme Managers and Coordinators
• NGO Health Officers and Project Managers
• Epidemiologists and Disease Surveillance Officers
• Maternal and Child Health Programme Officers
• Nutrition and Food Security Officers
• Monitoring and Evaluation Officers
• Health Systems Strengthening Specialists
• Humanitarian Health Response Staff
• Community Health Workers Supervisors
• Donor and Grants Management Officers
• Health Policy and Advocacy Officers
• WASH and Environmental Health Officers

Course Objectives

• Develop comprehensive understanding of public health programme management principles, frameworks, and global best practices in NGO and humanitarian contexts.
• Strengthen participants’ ability to design, implement, and evaluate effective public health interventions that address priority health challenges.
• Build capacity to conduct health needs assessments and translate findings into actionable programme strategies.
• Enhance skills in integrating epidemiological data and health information systems into programme decision-making processes.
• Equip participants with tools to design disease prevention, health promotion, and community health interventions.
• Strengthen understanding of health systems strengthening and its role in improving service delivery outcomes.
• Develop competencies in managing multi-sectoral public health programmes in coordination with government and development partners.
• Improve skills in integrating gender, equity, and social inclusion into public health programming.
• Strengthen monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning systems for public health programmes.
• Build capacity to design emergency health response programmes during outbreaks and humanitarian crises.
• Enhance resource mobilization and proposal development skills for public health funding opportunities.
• Foster leadership and strategic management skills for sustainable public health programme delivery.

Course Outline

Module 1: Foundations of Public Health Programming

• Understanding core public health concepts, principles, and global health priorities shaping NGO interventions and responses.
• Exploring determinants of health including social, economic, environmental, and behavioral factors affecting populations.
• Identifying roles of NGOs in strengthening public health systems and service delivery.
• Understanding global health frameworks and policies guiding public health programming.

Module 2: Health Needs Assessment and Situation Analysis

• Conducting comprehensive public health needs assessments in diverse community contexts.
• Collecting and analyzing health data for evidence-based decision-making.
• Identifying priority health problems and vulnerable population groups.
• Translating assessment findings into programme design and intervention planning.

Module 3: Epidemiology for Programme Managers

• Understanding basic epidemiological concepts and disease patterns in populations.
• Interpreting health indicators and surveillance data for programming decisions.
• Identifying outbreaks and disease trends affecting community health.
• Using epidemiological evidence to guide programme planning and response.

Module 4: Health Systems Strengthening

• Understanding components of health systems including workforce, financing, and service delivery.
• Strengthening primary healthcare systems for improved service access.
• Enhancing referral systems and health facility capacity.
• Supporting government-led health system strengthening initiatives.

Module 5: Disease Prevention and Control

• Designing communicable disease prevention and control programmes.
• Implementing vaccination and immunization campaigns effectively.
• Strengthening community-based disease prevention strategies.
• Managing outbreak preparedness and response systems.

Module 6: Maternal, Newborn and Child Health

• Designing maternal and child health intervention programmes.
• Addressing causes of maternal and child mortality and morbidity.
• Strengthening antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care services.
• Promoting child health and immunization coverage.

Module 7: Nutrition and Food Security Integration

• Integrating nutrition programming into public health interventions.
• Addressing malnutrition among vulnerable population groups.
• Promoting maternal and child nutrition practices.
• Strengthening coordination between health and food systems.

Module 8: Health Promotion and Behavior Change

• Designing effective health promotion campaigns and strategies.
• Applying behavior change theories in public health programming.
• Engaging communities in health education and awareness activities.
• Measuring impact of health promotion interventions.

Module 9: Emergency Health Response

• Planning and implementing public health responses in emergencies.
• Managing outbreak response and rapid health interventions.
• Coordinating with humanitarian health clusters and partners.
• Ensuring minimum standards in emergency health service delivery.

Module 10: Community Health Systems

• Strengthening community health worker systems and structures.
• Enhancing community participation in health service delivery.
• Supporting community-based health monitoring systems.
• Building trust between communities and health providers.

Module 11: Gender and Social Inclusion in Health

• Addressing gender disparities in health access and outcomes.
• Promoting inclusive health programming for marginalized groups.
• Integrating disability and age-sensitive approaches in health services.
• Strengthening equity in public health interventions.

Module 12: Monitoring and Evaluation

• Developing indicators for public health programme performance.
• Collecting and analyzing health data for decision-making.
• Strengthening health information systems and reporting structures.
• Using evidence for adaptive programme management.

Module 13: Health Financing and Resource Mobilization

• Understanding public health financing mechanisms and donor systems.
• Developing proposals for health programme funding.
• Managing budgets and financial resources efficiently.
• Strengthening sustainability of health interventions.

Module 14: Policy and Governance

• Understanding national and global health policy frameworks.
• Aligning NGO programmes with government health priorities.
• Strengthening governance systems in health service delivery.
• Promoting accountability in public health programming.

Module 15: Innovation in Public Health

• Exploring digital health tools and technologies.
• Using data analytics for health programme improvement.
• Strengthening telemedicine and mobile health interventions.
• Promoting innovation in public health service delivery.

Module 16: Emerging Global Health Challenges

• Addressing emerging infectious diseases and pandemics.
• Understanding climate change impacts on public health.
• Managing urbanization and non-communicable disease trends.
• Strengthening future-ready public health systems.

Training Approach          

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com Tel: +254 721 331 808

Training Venue 

The training will be held at our Upskill Training Centre. We also offer training for a group (at a discount of 10% to 50%) at requested location all over the world. The Onsite course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, buffet lunch, airport transfers, Upskill gift package, and guided tour.

Visa application, travel expenses, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Upskill certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com, +254 721 331 808

Terms of Payment:

Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 3 working days before commencement of the training so as to enable us to prepare better.