Strategic Communication for Humanitarian Behaviour Change Course

Course Introduction

Strategic communication is a vital pillar in humanitarian response, enabling organisations to influence behaviour, strengthen community engagement, and support life-saving decision-making in crisis-affected populations. This course provides an in-depth exploration of communication theories, behaviour change models, and practical tools used to design evidence-driven communication strategies that promote positive outcomes in diverse humanitarian contexts.

Participants will examine the role of communication in shaping perceptions, addressing misinformation, and encouraging protective behaviours during emergencies. Through contextual analysis, the course highlights how cultural norms, social dynamics, trust, and power relations influence the effectiveness of humanitarian messaging. By understanding these factors, participants can design communication interventions that are locally relevant and impactful.

The course provides extensive guidance on developing behaviour change communication (BCC) frameworks tailored to public health, protection, resilience, and crisis response priorities. Learners will explore methodologies such as social and behaviour change communication (SBCC), risk communication and community engagement (RCCE), and participatory communication approaches that empower communities as active partners in humanitarian action.

A strong emphasis is placed on leveraging digital and traditional media platforms to reach crisis-affected populations. Participants will gain practical skills in scripting, content creation, message testing, and selecting the right mix of channels—such as radio, SMS, social media, community theatre, and interpersonal communication—to ensure messages are accessible and effective across different contexts.

The course also addresses the challenges of combating rumours, disinformation, and communication fatigue during high-pressure emergencies. Participants will learn techniques for real-time feedback collection, adaptive messaging, and accountability to affected populations, ensuring communication initiatives remain people-centred and responsive.

By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to design, implement, and evaluate strategic communication initiatives that drive meaningful humanitarian behaviour change, strengthen community trust, and enhance program impact across diverse crisis settings.

Duration

5 days

Who Should Attend

• Humanitarian communication officers
• Risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) specialists
• Behaviour change communication professionals
• Public health and WASH communication staff
• Program managers and field coordinators
• Monitoring and evaluation practitioners
• Community engagement and accountability officers
• Digital communication and content creators
• NGO and INGO technical advisors
• Social scientists, researchers, and advocacy specialists

Course Objectives

• Develop a strong understanding of strategic communication principles and their application in designing humanitarian behaviour change interventions that drive life-saving actions in crisis environments.
• Strengthen capacity to analyse communication contexts, identify behavioural barriers, and integrate social, cultural, and psychological drivers into behaviour change strategies.
• Equip participants with skills to design comprehensive behaviour change frameworks using SBCC, RCCE, and participatory communication tools tailored to diverse humanitarian sectors.
• Build expertise in crafting clear, persuasive, culturally aligned messaging that resonates with affected populations and encourages safe, desirable behaviours.
• Enhance proficiency in selecting and integrating effective communication channels—including digital, interpersonal, and community-based platforms—to maximise message reach and impact.
• Strengthen competencies in managing misinformation, rumours, and communication-related risks through proactive monitoring and real-time adaptive responses.
• Develop skills in engaging communities as partners through feedback mechanisms, participatory approaches, and accountability to affected populations (AAP).
• Improve the ability to measure communication effectiveness using monitoring tools, behavioural indicators, and evidence-based evaluation methodologies.
• Build confidence in leading organisational communication strategies that reinforce trust, transparency, and program credibility in humanitarian operations.
• Prepare participants to apply innovative communication technologies and behavioural insights to future humanitarian communication challenges.

Course Outline

Module 1: Foundations of Humanitarian Strategic Communication

• Understanding communication functions in humanitarian response and behaviour change dynamics.
• Exploring communication models and theories relevant to crisis-affected populations.
• Examining the intersection of communication, trust, and humanitarian principles.
• Identifying drivers of behavioural outcomes in emergency settings.

Module 2: Behaviour Change Models and Frameworks

• Applying SBCC, RCCE, and behavioural insights to humanitarian programming.
• Analysing cognitive, emotional, and social influences on behaviour.
• Structuring behaviour change frameworks aligned with program goals.
• Integrating behavioural indicators for monitoring and learning.

Module 3: Communication Assessment and Audience Analysis

• Conducting needs assessments to understand communication gaps and priorities.
• Mapping audience segments and behavioural determinants.
• Designing evidence-based messaging rooted in contextual analysis.
• Understanding cultural dynamics affecting communication uptake.

Module 4: Message Development and Content Creation

• Crafting persuasive, inclusive, and culturally sensitive messages.
• Designing scripts, visuals, and content for diverse audiences.
• Testing message clarity and behavioural relevance.
• Ensuring alignment with humanitarian communication standards.

Module 5: Communication Channels and Media Mix

• Selecting appropriate media channels based on context and audience.
• Leveraging digital communication platforms for rapid outreach.
• Strengthening interpersonal and community-based communication approaches.
• Integrating mass media to broaden reach during emergencies.

Module 6: Digital Communication and Innovation

• Using mobile technologies, AI tools, and social media analytics.
• Strengthening digital storytelling for humanitarian behaviour change.
• Managing online engagement in crisis contexts.
• Applying low-bandwidth and offline digital solutions.

Module 7: Risk Communication, Rumour Management, and Misinformation

• Identifying and addressing rumours and misinformation patterns.
• Designing real-time monitoring systems for communication risks.
• Implementing adaptive messaging strategies during emergencies.
• Enhancing community trust through transparent communication.

Module 8: Community Engagement and Participation

• Applying participatory communication approaches in humanitarian settings.
• Collecting community feedback to refine communication strategies.
• Strengthening accountability to affected populations (AAP).
• Co-creating behaviour change solutions with communities.

Module 9: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) for Behaviour Change

• Designing MEL frameworks for communication outcomes.
• Measuring behavioural shifts using qualitative and quantitative tools.
• Evaluating message reach, effectiveness, and uptake.
• Integrating learning into communication strategy refinement.

Module 10: Organisational Strategy and Future Trends

• Developing organisational communication strategies for long-term impact.
• Strengthening internal communication capacities and systems.
• Integrating behavioural insights into program design and leadership.
• Exploring emerging technologies shaping the future of humanitarian communication.

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.