FM7: Financial Management for Humanitarian Programme Staff – Course Outline – page 1 of 3
This two-day workshop aims to build the skills and confidence of humanitarian programme staff to implement emergency response programmes in an accountable, controlled and cost effective way, for maximum impact.
This course is designed for non-financial humanitarian personnel who are currently working, or intend to work, in an emergency situation.
It may also be useful for Head Office based staff who need to appreciate the financial management challenges facing humanitarian field personnel.
We recommend that you read this course outline carefully to make sure the content is relevant and meets your learning requirements. If you have any questions please do contact us.
The course includes the following key topics:
 Responding to financial management challenges in emergencies – including budgeting, banking and cash security, managing cashflow and procurement.
 Accountability in practice – including keeping accounting records, monitoring budgets and reporting to stakeholders.
 Safeguarding assets during an emergency – internal control in the field.

Emergency preparedness – key financial management checklists.
FM7 course outline ©Mango 2012

FM7: Financial Management for Humanitarian Programme Staff – Course Outline – page 2 of 3
At the end of the course, participants will be able to:
Do:  Prepare an activity-based budget based on a project logframe

Manage a budget during a rapidly evolving emergency programme
 Set up effective cash management systems, including cashflow forecasting and cash security

Establish practical procurement procedures including a working advance policy, to ensure effective use of funds

Maintain minimum accounting records, including keeping a register of commitments
 Prepare a budget monitoring report from the accounting records
 Prepare a funding grid in a multi-donor funding situation
Know:  Describe the key challenges of financial management in an emergency response.

Identify options for cash management where the banking system is in disarray
 Identify and plan to fulfil donor and Head Office obligations
Feel: 
More confidently use financial management tools in their work

Appreciate that good financial management systems are important to the success of humanitarian programmes.
Mango’s training approach is highly practical, participatory and often fun! We focus on real issues and help participants to use the techniques covered, rather than just discuss them. We work hard to de-mystify financial concepts to overcome the fear of finance.
“Mango training really does take the fear out of finance!”
We work with small groups to meet the needs of individual participants. We use a variety of learning methods to stimulate interest and meet differing learning styles of participants – including illustrated presentations, group exercises and discussions, case studies and practical problem-solving activities.
Courses are supported by extensive materials for participants to take away and apply after the course. We also offer a free follow-up service by email or phone to all Mango trainees.
This course is currently only available as an in-house or group training event. Please contact the training team at training@mango.org.uk
for more information.
FM7 course outline ©Mango 2012

FM7: Financial Management for Humanitarian Programme Staff – Course Outline – page 3 of 3
Day Module:
Day 1 a.
Welcome and b.
c.
d.
Overview
Budgeting in
Emergencies
Cash management
Purchasing and procurement procedures
Topics to be covered:

Introductions and course expectations

Objectives and overview of the programme

Challenges of financial management in emergencies

The role of head office and field teams
 The financial planning process
 Preparing an activity based budget from a project logframe
 Revising budgets as plans change

Cash flow forecasting

Cash security

Cash transfers and banking in emergencies
 Creating a Delegation of Authority document
 Making payments and obtaining receipts

Cash advances and float management
 Asset security
Day 2 e.
f.
g.
Record Keeping
Managing donor funds
Being prepared
 Preparing a cash book
 Capturing ‘commitments’ and remote expenditures
 Producing a simple report from the cashbook and budget
 Dealing with foreign exchange

Fulfilling donor obligations

Using a funding grid to manage multi-door programmes

Budget monitoring practical

Questions to ask before leaving for the field
 Handover notes when you leave the field h.
Summary and Review 
Summary of key learning points

Course evaluation
FM7 course outline ©Mango 2012