Take your leadership and management skills to the next level by signing up for one-year access to this unique self-paced modular programme designed to respond to the needs and challenges of UN managers across the UN system, both at headquarters and field locations.

Introduction

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and UN management reform call on UN managers to lead effective teams, implement change and strengthen the UN’s programmatic and operational capacities.

UNSSC puts you in control of your own learning, giving you access to a unique collection of leadership and management modules tailor-made for leaders and managers across the UN system.

The curriculum includes a continually expanding collection of leadership and management modules. The modules on management span four different dimensions of management, including people management, planning, programme implementation and resource management. The modules on leadership elaborate on the characteristics and behaviours embodied in the UN System Leadership Framework and explore key aspects, amongst others, of ethical and transformational leadership.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of the programme, participants will be able to:

  • Create high-performing teams, by motivating and coaching staff, and supporting their career development. Monitor and evaluate staff performance and address under-performance in a constructive manner
  • Translate overall visions into realistic goals, by planning strategically, implementing results-based management systems, mitigating risks, and managing resources and funds successfully
  • Communicate effectively with staff, senior managers and peers. Build and maintain long-term partnerships with key stakeholders
  • Adopt key practices and tools to ensure proper leadership and management of projects and programmes, delegate and monitor tasks easily, and communicate and deal with risks successfully
  • Explain the key characteristics of UN leadership and support the adoption of leadership behaviours embodied in the UN System Leadership Framework.
  • Create a UN inter-agency peer network
Course methodology

This scenario-based programme is centered on the learner, offering a self-paced learning path delivered entirely online. Participants can start at any time, choosing the learning modules that best fit their needs.

The Extended E-Certificate on Leadership and Management programme offers:

  • A micro-learning experience characterized by small knowledge units (modules and micro-lessons) where participants consolidate and reflect on learnings through the creation of micro-content (multimodal forum replies, blog posts, etc.).
  • Scenario-based learning exposing participants to the unique real-life challenges and tasks of UN managers
  • Consolidation of takeaways through reflective practices and social learning to facilitate information exchange and peer-to-peer learning
  • Unlimited access to all modules for one calendar year from the date of enrolment.

A final certificate will be released to participants completing a total of 25 e-learning modules.

Each module is estimated to require approximately three to four hours of study time to complete at your own pace.

Course contents

The Extended E-Certificate in Leadership and Management offers a unique learning path focusing on the following managerial areas:

  • People. This area includes modules on issues such as: Active Listening, Handling Difficult Conversations, Coaching Others Effectively, Resolving Conflicts and Motivating Yourself and Others.
  • Resources. This area includes modules on issues such as budgeting and managing financial resources.
  • Implementation. This area includes modules on issues such as: Leading Effective Meetings and Delegating Tasks.
  • Vision. This area includes modules on issues such as strategic planning and risk communication.

New modules on leadership and management-related issues will be periodically released and made available to registered participants throughout 2024.

The programme is delivered through UNSSC's Blue Line e-learning platform. After completing the certification programme, participants will gain access to an exclusive alumni network for continuous learning around key leadership and management-related topics.

Target audience

UN personnel at all levels with management and leadership functions at headquarters and in the field.

Cost of participation

The programme fee of $2,000 includes access to all modules for one calendar year from the date of enrolment.

Modules

3.5 h

Making Effective Decisions

In this module, you will learn to recognize some of the judgemental errors and decision biases that arise, as well as deploy simple decision making strategies to improve your decision making. Your instructors for this module are Dr. Nicola Bown and Dr. Alan Pearman.
English
4 h

Managing Emotions: An Intro to Emotional Intelligence

In this module, you will step into the world of Emotional Intelligence. You will understand why EQ is important in the workplace and master techniques for increasing your social and self-awareness as well as managing your emotions and handling relationships effectively.Your instructor for this module is Dr. Robert Anderson. 
English
3.5 h

Managing Financial Resources - Part 1

By taking this module you will find out how to utilize accounting as a language of the organization and integrate it into your daily programme activities.This module comes in two parts and we highly recommend that you complete them in order. Your instructor for this module is Dr. Daniele Alesani. 
English
4 h

Managing Financial Resources - Part 2

By taking this module you will find out how to utilize accounting as a language of the organization and integrate it into your daily programme activities.We highly recommend that you complete Managing Financial Resources - Part 1 before starting with Part 2.Your instructor for this module is Dr. Daniele Alesani. 
English
3.5 h

Managing for Results Part 1: Key Principles and Concepts of RBM

Take this module on Results-Based Management to explore all the necessary tools and core principles to apply RBM in your project and programme management. Your instructor for this module is Dr. Itziar Arispe.
English
3.5 h

Managing for Results Part 2 - The RBM Process

Take this module on Results-Based Management to explore all the necessary tools and core principles to apply RBM in your project and programme management. Your instructor for this module is Dr. Itziar Arispe.
English
1.5 h

Managing Stress in the Workplace

Feeling stressed and overwhelmed at times is inevitable. Take this module to learn how to establish positive habits that will help you manage stress and build resilience in moments of difficulty. By the end of this module, you will gain the practical tools to effectively regulate stress at work for your personal well-being.Your instructor for this module is Dr. Maria Phalime
English
4 h

Managing Up

In this module, you will be provided with tools and tips to develop and sustain an effective relationship with your supervisor that supports both of you working effectively.Your instructor for this module is Dr. Monique Valcour. 
English
4 h

Mastering the Art of Active Listening

In this module, you will learn how to master one of the most important yet neglected communication skills, listening. The module will provide you with practical tips to increase your effectiveness as a listener as well as some tools for self-assessment. Your instructor for this module is Dr. Robert Anderson.
English
3 h

Motivating Yourself and Others Part 1 - Autonomy, Relatedness, and Competence

In this module, we will focus on howyou, as a manager, can empower and energize yourself and your team, along with practical guidelines to help you get started right away. Fueling motivation leads to happier team members and better results.Your instructor for this module is Dr. Monique Valcour.
English
4 h

Motivating Yourself and Others Part 2 - The Progress Principle

In this module, we will focus on how you, as a manager, can empower and energize yourself and your team, along with practical guidelines to help you get started right away. Fueling motivation leads to happier team members and better results.Your instructor for this module is Dr. Monique Valcour.
English
2 h

Personal Energy Management

Take this module to understand personal energy management's importance as well as workplace factors leading to high energy demands. By the end of this module you will learn practical tools for reducing energy demands, optimizing energy supply, and sustaining long-term personal energy.Your instructor for this module is Dr. Maria Phalime
English
2 h

PM Module 1: Reimagining Performance Management

Take this module to analyze the new performance management approach and how it can help us reimagine performance management through the changes it brings.Your instructor for this module is Jose Veliz.
English
2 h

PM Module 2: Performance Management Core

Take this module to discover key components of the new performance management approach and how they will improve staff members and their performance. This module is part of the e-learning curriculum on Performance Management.Your instructor for this module is Jose Veliz.
English
2 h

PM Module 3: Magic Teams

Take this module to learn how an empowered team can shape your experience at work. This module is part of the e-learning curriculum on Performance Management.Your instructor for this module is Jose Veliz.
English
2 h

PM Module 4: The Leader in You

Take this module to learn the key changes introduced by the new UN performance management paradigm. This module is part of the e-learning curriculum on Performance Management.Your instructor for this module is Jose Veliz.
English
4 h

Programme and Budget at Public Sector Organisations - Part 2

The overall learning goal of this module is to provide managers of UN organizations with a basic but clear understanding of what the management of a programme and budget entails at public sector organizations. Your instructor for this module is Labib Sahab.
English
4 h

Programme and Budget at Public Sector Organizations - Part 1

The overall learning goal of this module is to provide managers of UN organizations with a basic but clear understanding of what the management of a programme and budget entails at public sector organizations. Your instructor for this module is Labib Sahab.
English
4 h

Pursuing Your Career in the UN

In this module, you will learn how to analyse a UN vacancy announcement, prepare your job application and plan for a competency-based interview using the STAR model. Your instructor for this module is Ms. Nancy Raphael.
English
3.5 h

Resolving Conflicts

In this module, you will look at yourself, your own attitudes about conflict, and explore ways in which you can handle conflict constructively. The module provides you with a model for negotiating a conflict collaboratively and also a set of communication skills to help you achieve that.Your instructor for this module is Dr. Robert Anderson. 
English