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Postgraduate Diploma in Development Leadership

For experienced development professionals

Is effective leadership of development organisations only about the ability to implement multiple programmes and managing teams? Or, are organisational leaders expected to have a 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 principles?

Our Postgraduate Diploma programme emerges from and responds to such questions to enable mid-career and senior-level professionals to prepare for leadership roles in their organisations. We aim to advance participants’ understanding of development leadership beyond programmatic considerations, by helping them anchor their rich experiences and within a broader understanding of civil society and its trajectories.

Who should join us?

This programme is designed for professionals with eight or more years of experience in the development sector (like livelihood, sustainability, education, health, sanitation and hygiene, ecology, etc.) currently at a senior position in an organisation. It is open to those working in NGOs, social movements organisations and grassroots organisations.

The programme will be conducted in English.

What does the programme offer?

This programme will help participants to:

  • Deepen their perspectives on the wider historical processes and lived experiences shaping development realities in India to better inform their work.
  • Imagine alternative development approaches and outcomes, 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.

Programme Structure

This is an eleven-month programme with a blend of on-campus classes and online learning, over three terms.

Each term has an on-campus residential component of three weeks and an online component of three months. The online classes are transacted over weekends with live lectures, online discussions, assignments and guided project work.

Our programme is designed to help you continue your existing work and employment while being enrolled in study towards this diploma.

The list of courses offered under this PG Diploma programme may be listed under

  • India’s experience of development
  • Contemporary development realities in India
  • Development theories and critiques
  • Term 1 Project: Reflections on development practice
  • Seminar: Emerging themes in development
  • Approaches to development action
  • Shaping organisational culture
  • Term 3 Project: Leading organisational change
  • Data analysis for social action
  • Communication practices of organisational leaders
  • Principles of financial management
  • Leadership practices for development organisations

Programme Calendar (Tentative)*

TermOn campusOnline
Term 1623 Jan 20258 Feb –1 Mar 2025 (4 Saturdays) (March, FY year-end break) Term 1 Project: 5 April –10 May 2025 (6 weeks)
Term 230 June – 18 July 20252 Aug – 6 Sept 2025 (6 Saturdays)
Term 324 Nov – 11 Dec 2025Term 3 Project: 11 Oct – 15 Nov 2025

Note:

  • Break between Term 1 and 2: 11 May – 30 June 2025
  • Break between Term 2 and 3: 7 Sept – 10 Oct 2025

Programme Pedagogy

Our programme is designed for experienced organisational professionals who will bring deep experience in grassroots work and will build on that experience in class interactions. We utilise peer group learning, practice-based readings, guest lectures, discussions, films, and simulations.

Faculty

All Programme faculty →