Award in Fundamentals of Human Resources Management

This module provides an overview of the principles of human resource management and the manner in which these are implemented for the effective management of people in an NGO. The module provides details on organisational culture and how managing change is critical to its continued development and growth. It addresses key issues in recruitment, selection, and training of staff, particularly relevant to NGOs that deal with employees, contractors, outsourced workers interns and volunteers within different areas of operations. It identifies best practices in HR development and addresses key challenges in their implementation within the legal framework prevalent in Malta or Cyprus. It provides frontline perspectives to the challenge of attracting, recruiting, retaining and developing people within an NGO.

The 6 sessions included in the module are:

1. Basic Principles of HRM within the particular context of an NGO which typically includes full time, part time employees as well as volunteers.
2. Managing Organisational Culture and Change is particularly relevant as new councils or governing boards are elected and each presents their own priorities within the overall general strategy of the NGO.
3. Recruitment and selection process within an NGO which often has constrains on the process with guidelines to recruit from amongst particular minority groups or candidates with particular experience of the third sector operations.
4. Human Resource Development & Effective HR practices within an NGO which has to balance the financial perspective with other less tangible priorities of the NGO, social welfare and wellbeing, support of minority groups etc.
5. Operational & Legal Perspectives to HRM within an NGO which may have to deal with operational activities that present legal challenges, ie, welfare of minors, intervention in domestic violence situations etc.
6. NGO Perspectives to HRM

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:

1. Collaborate in the management and development of people within an NGO.
2. Collaborate in the process of change management in an NGO to ensure its continued relevance to the beneficiaries and other stakeholders.
3. Collaborate in the selection and implementation of popular digital tools to support HRM best practices such as time management tools, staff appraisal tools, staff feedback collection tools, payroll systems, training and development logs.
4. Plan recruitment and selection tasks within an NGO.
5. Create and implement Performance Appraisals for members of staff, be they employees, interns, volunteers, or contract workers of the organisation.
6. Plan bespoke processes to motivate and encourage improved performance at all levels of the organisations.

ECTS Credits : 2

Duration : 2 Weeks

Assessment Methods:

• Assignment / Case-Study – 1 (Contributes towards 50% of the module)
• Forum Discussions – 2 (Contributes towards 30% of the module)
• Tutorial Participation – 2 tutorial sessions (Contributes towards 20% of the module)

Participants need to achieve an aggregate of 50% marks from the assessment activities to pass the individual modules. Pass marks (50% or above) in all 5 modules is mandatory for the successful completion of Award in NGO Management (10 ECTS) programme.