Are you looking to lead mine action programmes?  This course equips you with the essential knowledge, practical skills, and strategic insight to manage operations effectively.

Aim

The course aims to enhance capacity of participants to handle their day-to-day operational and managerial duties within their respective humanitarian mine action programmes, through the use of improved planning, implementation, monitoring, assessment and evaluation practices.
 

What you will learn?

The course strengthens participants’ capacity to:

• Explain the governance and liability concepts applied to MA operations, including IMAS, its relationship with NMAS and organizational SOP
• Apply effective and efficient programming, operational planning and implementation of MA survey and clearance operations.
• Develop good leadership and management practices by providing individual tool sets and enhancing personal leadership styles.
• Improve the ability of personnel to communicate with and influence staff at the operational level.

Who should attend?

• Senior and mid-level managers from National Mine Action Authorities (NMAA), National Mine Action Centres (NMAC) or acting on their behalf, who are responsible for establishing, leading, managing, or strengthening governance and management structures of national mine action programmes
• Managers and coordinators from national and international mine action organizations who are responsible for planning, directing, or supervising mine action operations across the full range of mine action activities.
• Staff from NMAA/NMAC or operators who hold management or technical leadership roles in areas that support programme performance and governance, such as Strategic and operational planning, Coordination and stakeholder engagement, Quality management, Information management, Risk management, Training and Capacity development, and institutional strengthening
• Iindividuals implementing functions supporting Mine Action programmes provided that their respective organizations confirm a clear professional development plan aimed at advancing the candidate to managerial decision-making role. 

Donors

Switzerland (DDPS)

General requirements

Recommended to take first:

• Introduction to GIS (Geographical Information System) for mine action e-learning course - module 1

Mandatory e-learning courses to complete

Selected participants are required to complete the following GICHD e-learning courses:

• Introduction to gender and diversity in mine action e-learning course
• Mine action and sustainable development e-learning course. Maximizing impact with global agendas
• Understanding the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS)
• Introduction to explosive ordnance risk education (EORE) essentials e-learning course

Language level requirements

Participants should be able communicate and present on their national standards in English. The following standards of proficiency in English should be met (as described in STANAG 6001).

• Listening: good | 3
• Speaking: fair | 2
• Reading: fair | 2
• Writing: elementary | 1

Language requirements are compulsory and should be confirmed by applicants’ superiors. 

Equipment requirements

Minimum Technology Requirements

• Computer with up-to-date web browser.
• Google Chrome is recommended
• Mobile phone

Computer Skills

• You will be required to: Navigate the web Interact with the Blackboard Learning Management System
• Utilize word processing software
• Enable audio and video settings on your device(s)

Teaching approach

The course has been designed as a blend of these equally important elements:

• Interactive self-study: articles, videos, quizzes, online discussions and e-learning components and pre-course baseline test
• In-person training: practical application of the knowledge and skills learnt.
• Impact assessment survey: the survey will be sent out 9 months after the training to enquire about the impact of the training on the individual and organisational performance.

Assessment

During the course participant performance will be assessed. The overall grade for the course consists of 3 elements:

• Active participation in online self-paced learning 
  and virtual life sessions
• Active participation during in-persons sessions 
• Final exam / Written test

Travel & Accommodation

After preliminary confirmation of selection, a letter of recommendation from the applicant's supervisor will be required.

The registration form should be filled in no later than 31st March 2026.

In addition to national and international staff of mine action organisations, the course is also open to NATO/PfP, MD, ICI and Contact States.

Cost

The Swiss Government will cover participant expenses for food and accommodation while in Spiez (Sunday, 14 June 2026, earliest date of arrival to Saturday, 27 June 2026, latest date of departure).

Transportation and Sponsorship

Travel costs from country of origin to Zurich, Switzerland has to be covered by each respective organisation. It is recommended that all participants schedule an arrival in Zurich, Switzerland no later than Sunday, 14 June 2026,

A limited number of sponsorships covering travel expenses from country of origin to Spiez might be available for applicants with no other funding opportunities from developing countries.

Train tickets Zurich Airport – Spiez – Zurich Airport will be reimbursed to the participants (only second-class tickets). 

Insurance

The DDPS and the GICHD do not cover health care expenses. All participants are themselves responsible for adequate insurance (health, accident and liability) or need a Governmental guarantee to cover any health care expenses in Switzerland.

Cancellation

The course is subject to final funding confirmation.

The GICHD has the right to cancel the course latest two weeks prior to the training should it not reach the minimum number of participants. 

Visa

Participants requiring a visa should apply at the Swiss Embassy in their country. Invitation letters can be provided by the GICHD.

Location