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Leading & Managing Effective Human Rights Organisations - POL00063M

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  • Department: Politics and International Relations
  • Module co-ordinator: Mr. John Gray
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Summer Term 2022-23

Module aims

This module examines the behaviours and processes involved in leading and managing human rights organisations effectively. The module begins with an overview of the ways in which human rights defenders work together - for example, in informal groups, registered non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and networks. It examines the relationships between socio-political change and the stresses faced by human rights organisations. It raises awareness of repressive mechanisms used to reduce the effectiveness of human rights organisations (such as restrictions on registration and threats against staff members) and ways of responding to these.

Students learn best practices in strategic planning and project management, human rights based programming, performance management, human resources management, fundraising and financial management, 'globally responsible practice' (the so-called 'triple bottom line'), and good governance. Students explore the concept of 'the learning organisation' and how organisational learning can be captured and used. In terms of practical skills, students assess their own personal style of leading and managing others and conducting an assessment of a human rights organisation, proposing plans for its development.

Students will examine the ways in which human rights organisations have evolved in relation to globalisation processes, the changing role of the modern state, and the demands of human rights work. They will evaluate the significance of transnational advocacy networks in shaping the capacities of organisations. They will examine efforts to increase the legitimacy of NGOs, such as the emphasis placed on accountability and good governance. They will examine the differences between international NGOs and domestic NGOs, evaluating how the relate with each other, in both productive and counter-productive ways. Overall, this module is aimed at increasing the security of human rights defenders at the level of organisations, and helping human rights organisations to increase their resilience, adaptability and sustainability in the face of adversity and external change.

Module learning outcomes

Subject content

  • The relationship between socio-political conditions and the structure and function of human rights organisations
  • Best practices in strategic planning, performance management, fund-raising, human resources management, financial management, risk management, networking and good governance
  • The relationship between international NGOs and domestic NGOs

Academic and graduate skills

  • Learning independently, managing time and resources
  • Applying new information and skills in real work contexts
  • Reflecting critically on information presented in different formats (text, audio, video)
  • Problem-solving individually and with others
  • Discussing and debating complex issues

Other learning outcomes

  • Identifying personal styles in leading and managing others
  • Conducting organisational assessment of a human rights organisation

Indicative assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 60
Essay/coursework
Practical Assignment		 N/A 40

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 60
Essay/coursework
Practical Assignment		 N/A 40

Module feedback

In this module, formative assessment will be provided through an online quiz (immediately through electronic marking), written comments on contributions to case studies and online discussion forums (within two weeks), and written or audio comments on an Essay Outline (within four weeks).

Written feedback on summative assessments will be provided within five weeks of submission.

Indicative reading

Ahmed, S. and Potter, D (2006) NGOs in International Politics. Bloomfield CT: Kumarian.

Bell, C. and Keenan, J. (2004) "Human Rights Nongovernmental Organizations and the Problems of Transition", Human Rights Quarterly, 26(2): 330-374

Eade, D. (2005) Capacity-Building: An Approach to People-Centred Development (Oxford: Oxfam UK and Ireland.

Governance Matters (2012) The Good Governance Guide, available on http://www.governancematters.org/index.cfm?section_id=1086

Gugerty, MK (2008) "The Effectiveness of NGO Self-Regulation: Theory and Evidence from Africa", Public Administration and Development, 28:105-118.

O'Flaherty, M. and Ulrich, G. (2010) "The Professionalization of Human Rights Field Work", Journal of Human Rights Practice, Vol.2:1, p.1-27.

International Non-Governmental Organisations Accountability Charter (2005) available at http://www.ingoaccountabilitycharter.org/wpcms/wp-content/uploads/INGO-Accountability-Charter.pdf

International Council on Human Rights Policy (2009) Human Rights Organisations: Rights and Responsibilities, Final Draft Report, available at www.ichrp.org/files/reports/67/119_report.pdf

International Council on Human Rights Policy (2003) Draft Report, Deserving Trust: Issues of Accountability for Human Rights NGOs, available at http://www.africanchildinfo.net/documents/Accountability%20of%20NGOs.doc

International Council on Human Rights Policy (2011) The Role and Relevance of Human Rights Principles in Impact Assessment, available at http://www.ichrp.org/files/papers/186/impact_assessment_human_rights_approach_paper.pdf

Okafor, C.O. (2006) Legitimizing Human Rights NGOs: Lessons from Nigeria. Treton, NJ & Asmara, Eritrea: Africa World Press.

Shifter, M. (2000) "Weathering the Storm: NGOs Adapting to Major Political Transitions" in Ford Foundation, Many Roads to Justice: The Law Related Work of Ford Foundation Grantees Around the World, available at http://www.gsdrc.org/document-library/weathering-the-storm-ngos-adapting-to-major-political-transitions/

United Nations General Assembly (1998) Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, Resolution 53/144 of 9 December, available at http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Defenders/Declaration/declaration.pdf


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.