Is effective leadership of development organisations merely about the ability to implement multiple
projects, programmes and managing teams? Or, are organisational leaders expected to have
broader understanding of development theories, India’s overall development journey, frameworks
of development action, and organisational cultures and leadership approaches? Should leadership of
development organisations be based on the same organisational principles which apply in the
corporate world? Or, does the development ecosystem and organisational context require us to
rethink some of these foundational principles?
Azim Premji University’s Postgraduate Diploma in Development Leadership emerges from and
responds to such questions to enable mid to senior level professionals to prepare themselves for
leadership roles in their organisations. This programme aims to advance participants’ understanding
of development leadership beyond programmatic considerations, by helping them anchor their rich
experiences within broader understanding of civil society and its trajectories.
What does the programme offer?
This programme will help participants to:
- Deepen perspectives on the wider historical processes and lived experiences shaping
development realities in India to better inform their work
- Imagine alternative development outcomes and approaches, which foster equity, justice and
sustainability
- Strengthen capabilities of leadership to build inclusive, adaptive and collaborative
organisations
- Enhance analytical, communication and other competencies for oversight of financial management, data analysis and communication for development action and advocacy.
Who should join?
The diploma programme is designed for professionals with 8+ years of experience in the development sector, who are already in leadership roles in development organisations or are soon to embark on such roles. The programme will be conducted in English.
The 11-month Postgraduate Diploma programme (Starting in December 2021) offers a blend of contact classes and online
learning across 3 terms. Each term has an on-campus residential component (~ 3 weeks) and an online component (~ 3 months) transacted over weekends
(live lectures, online discussions, assignments and guided project work). The programme is designed to
allow participants to continue their existing work and employment, while being enrolled in the
programme.
Calendar (tentative dates)
| Term |
On-Campus |
Online |
| Term 1 |
December 13 - 31, 2021 |
January 10 - April 10, 2022 |
| Term 2 |
May 16 - June 4, 2022 |
June 13 - August 13, 2022 |
| Term 3 |
------ |
August 22 - October 1, 2022 |
| October 31 - November 19, 2022 |
------ |
Content
The programme comprises 10 courses and 2 projects. It also includes interactions with institution builders and organisational leaders from the development sector.
| Term, Duration
and Mode |
Courses and Projects (and credits) |
Total credits |
Term 1
3 weeks on campus
12 weeks online
|
- India’s Experience of Development (2 credits)
- Contemporary Development Realities in India (2)
- Approaches to Development Action (2)
- Project A: Reflections on Development Practice (2)
|
8 |
Term 2
3 weeks on campus
8 weeks online
|
- Development Theories and Critiques (2)
- Competencies for Effective Communication (1)
- Shaping Organisational Culture (2)
- Data Analysis for Social Action (3)
|
8 |
Term 3
6 weeks online
3 weeks on campus
|
- Project B: Leading Organisational Change (2)
- Principles of Financial Management (2)
- Leadership Practices for Development Organisations (2)
|
6 |
All terms
Sessions on campus
|
Seminar Course: Emerging Themes in Development (0 credits) |
0 |
| Total |
22 |
Pedagogy
Being designed for experienced organisational professionals, the programme assumes that
participants will bring deep experience of grassroots work, and will build on that experience in class
transactions. It relies on peer group learning, practice-based readings, guest lectures, discussions,
films and simulations.
Eligibility
The programme is open to those working in NGOs, social movements and other grassroots
organisations. The eligibility
criteria are:
- Undergraduate degree in any discipline
- Eight or more years of work in the development sector, in any domain, preferably with
marginalized groups in urban or rural locations
- Functional fluency in English (reading, writing, spoken)
- Currently in leadership roles in their respective organisations, or likely to move
into such roles within the next three years
-
Consent and recommendation of the
applicant’s current employer.
We encourage applications from women and other groups which are
underrepresented in the leadership of social sector organizations in the country.
Participants who need to bring young children with them, please contact us to discuss child care requirements.
Step 1: Application (Deadline 30th April 2021)
- Submit online application form
- Recommendation form to be submitted by applicant's current employer
Step 2: Written component (May 2021)
- Written response to reflective questions (online)
Step 3: Personal interviews (June and July 2021)
Applications will be evaluated based on the candidates’ depth of field experience, present or future
leadership roles, capability for reflexivity in the organisational context, and ability to complete the
course requirements.
For enquiries: [email protected]
- For Partner or small NGOs: Rs. 30,000 (approx.) for tuition and accommodation (incl. GST)
- For all other organisations: Rs. 60,000 (approx.) for tuition and accommodation (incl. GST)
- Additional fee waivers will be considered upon request from organisations or participants
1. What is the PG Diploma in Development Leadership programme about?
This programme will help participants develop a strong grasp of the conceptual and ethical dimensions of
development action, deepen their understanding of organisational cultures and leadership, and strengthen
competencies for oversight of financial management, data analysis and communication for development action and
advocacy. For more details, please refer to the programme brochure.
2. Who is this programme designed for?
The programme is designed for mid to senior level professionals in the development sector who are likely to take on
senior leadership roles in their organisations. It is expected that the participants have a minimum of eight years of
experience and will continue to work during the programme.
3. How is this programme different from development management or leadership programmes?
The programme does not focus on operational tools and techniques for the day-to-day management of social sector
organisations and their initiatives. Instead, it emphasises the conceptual, historical and cultural aspects for
strengthening organisational leadership in a rapidly evolving social sector.
4. What is the programme structure?
The programme uses a mix of face-to-face classes and online learning spread over 11-months. The programme is
divided into three terms. Each term will have an on-campus residential component (of three weeks) and an online
component (weekend work comprising live lectures, online group discussions, assignments and project work). For
more details, please refer to the programme brochure.
5. What qualification will I receive on successful completion of the programme?
On successful completion, the participant will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Development Leadership from
Azim Premji University.
6. What are the eligibility requirements?
- Undergraduate degree in any discipline
- Eight or more years of work in the development sector (NGOs, social movements and other grassroots
organisations) in any domain, preferably with marginalized groups in urban or rural locations.
- Functional fluency in English (reading, writing, spoken)
- Currently in leadership roles in their respective organisations, or likely to move into such roles within the next
three years
- Consent and recommendation of the applicant’s current employer.
7. I am presently not working but meet the other eligibility requirements. Can I still apply?
We require that participants be part of an organisation while they are enrolled in the programme, as some aspects
(e.g. project work) require that participants work closely with their organisations. If an applicant is moving to a new
organisation, consent from the new organisation will be required.
8. What if I leave my present organisation mid-way through the programme?
Please refer to Q.7. Any exceptions will be made at the discretion of the university.
9. Is the organisation’s recommendation mandatory?
Yes. The primary motivation of this programme is to strengthen the leadership capacities of social sector
organisations in the country. It is important that the candidate’s organisation is aligned with this objective. In
addition, the participant and the organisation will need to make significant investments of time and effort in this
process, and thus a recommendation from the organisation becomes necessary.
10. Is the organisation’s recommendation still required if I self-finance my programme fees?
Yes. Please refer to Q.7 and Q.9
11. Will this be an intensive programme?
Yes, the programme will require strong and sustained commitment from participants to fulfil the attendance,
participation and assessment requirements (assignments, projects and group interactions). As the programme will
run in parallel with work responsibilities, participants need to effectively balance the significant demands of the
programme.
12. What are the English requirements for the programme?
The programme requires functional fluency in English. All courses and class discussions will be conducted mainly in English, though participants can ask questions in any Indian language that is understood by the faculty. Participants will be expected to read material in English. Assignments and projects will need to be submitted in English.
13. Can I select which courses within the programme to join?
No, the courses cannot be attempted selectively. All courses are mandatory.
14. How many days will I need to be away from work?
Over the 11-month period, participants have to spend three weeks each term (i.e. total 9 weeks) on campus. The
remaining interactions will be online and designed to make use of weekends (approximately 28 full Saturdays for
live, online classes).
15. What is the batch size?
The programme can accommodate 30 to 40 participants per batch.
16. Is there placement assistance after the programme?
There is no placement assistance envisaged after the programme.
17. What are the fees for the programme?
The fee for the programme is INR 30,000 (approx) for partner or small NGO's including tuition fees and accommodation for the on-campus classes. This is at the discretion of the University. For all other organisations, the fee is INR 60,000 (approx.). Other expenses such as travel, food, etc. will have to be borne by the participant or their organisation.
18. Will I get a stipend?
No, this programme does not provide a stipend.
19. Is financial assistance available?
Yes, financial assistance / fee waiver will be considered upon request from organisations or participants, at the discretion of the University. Please contact us for more details.
