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Social Sciences

Diploma in Management of NGOs

The Diploma in Management of NGOs is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in non-governmental organisation management, project planning, fundraising, community development and governance. Offered at The East African University, the programme prepares students for management and coordination roles in NGOs, community-based organisations and development agencies.

Duration
1.5 years
Next intake January 2027
Private tuition
Ksh 88,650
Ksh 132,975 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 88,650 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C- or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 1.5 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 3 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Adolescent Mentorship Officer, at 14 out of 100.The detail

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Overview

The curriculum covers NGO management principles, project planning and management, fundraising and resource mobilisation, community development, governance and accountability, monitoring and evaluation, advocacy and lobbying, financial management for NGOs, proposal writing, communication skills, research methods and industrial attachment. Students develop both management and development practice skills.

Kenya's NGO sector is one of the largest in Africa, with thousands of organisations working in health, education, environment, human rights and community development. The programme responds to the need for trained personnel who can manage NGO operations, coordinate projects and ensure accountability in the development sector.

The programme is delivered through lectures, case studies, field visits to NGOs, research projects, group discussions and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in NGO operations, project management and community engagement through attachment at NGOs or community-based organisations.

Graduates pursue careers as NGO project officers, programme assistants, community development officers, fundraising assistants and monitoring and evaluation assistants in NGOs, CBOs and development agencies. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies or related degree programmes.

Prospective students should have interest in development work, community service and social impact. The programme is suitable for students seeking careers in the NGO and development sector.

What you study

8 subjects
  • NGO Management Principles and Governance
  • Project Planning, Management and Monitoring and Evaluation
  • Fundraising, Resource Mobilisation and Proposal Writing
  • Community Development and Advocacy
  • Financial Management for NGOs and Accountability
  • Communication Skills and Research Methods
  • Human Resource Management in NGOs
  • Industrial Attachment and NGO Management Project

Modules

6 in the programme

  • NGO Management Principles and Governance

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers NGO sector overview, NGO types, registration and legal framework, governance structures, boards, accountability, transparency and NGO codes of conduct.

  • Project Planning, Management and M&E

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers project planning, project cycle management, logical framework approach, monitoring and evaluation, indicators, data collection and impact assessment.

  • Fundraising, Resource Mobilisation and Proposal Writing

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers fundraising strategies, donor relations, grant writing, proposal development, resource mobilisation, donor mapping and sustainability planning.

  • Community Development and Advocacy

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers community development principles, participatory development, community mobilisation, advocacy, lobbying, human rights and social change.

  • Financial Management for NGOs and Communication

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Covers financial management principles, budgeting, financial reporting, donor compliance, audit, communication skills and report writing for NGOs.

  • Research, HR Management and Industrial Attachment

    Year 1Semester 46 creditsCore

    Covers research methods, human resource management in NGOs, plus a three-month industrial attachment at an NGO or CBO, and an NGO management project.

Specialisations

  • Project Management

    Focuses on project planning and M&E for careers as NGO project officers.

  • Fundraising and Resource Mobilisation

    Specialises in fundraising and grant writing for careers as fundraising assistants.

  • Community Development

    Focuses on community development and advocacy for careers as community development officers.

  • NGO Financial Management

    Specialises in financial management and accountability for careers in NGO finance.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on NGO management or project planning, followed by a case study on fundraising or monitoring and evaluation. Afternoon sessions may include a group discussion on community development, a workshop on proposal writing, or a field visit to a local NGO. Students also work on NGO management projects and prepare for industrial attachment.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Kenya's NGO sector is one of the largest in Africa, providing diverse career opportunities.The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study location options.
The programme combines management skills with development practice, providing a versatile skill set.NGO funding fluctuations may affect job stability in some periods.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies or related degree programmes.—

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 241 social sciences courses
Private48k to 89k
48k at Institute of Community Development89k at Mount Kenya University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

ICD Ksh48K/yr, MKU Ksh29,550/trimester x3=~88.7K/yr (kenyaplex, majira.co.ke).

Students can access HELB loans. TEAU may offer internal bursaries for deserving students.

Funding options

  • HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

  • HELB Loan

    LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions

Scholarships you could apply for

7 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade
C-minimum entry
Alternative entry

Certificate in NGO management or a related field from a recognised institution, or equivalent qualification.

When it next starts

Taught at 3 institutions
January 20273 institutions

Including The East African University, Maseno University, University of Eldoret.

May 20273 institutions

Including The East African University, Maseno University, University of Eldoret.

September 20273 institutions

Including The East African University, Maseno University, University of Eldoret.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Continuous Assessment Tests

    Written examination30% of the mark

    Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering NGO management, project planning and fundraising.

  • Coursework Assignments

    Assignment30% of the mark

    Assessment of case studies, proposals, project plans and group presentations on NGO management topics.

  • NGO Management Project

    Project40% of the mark

    A project on an NGO management topic, assessed through a written report and oral presentation.

  • Industrial Attachment Report

    Practicum100% of the mark

    Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at an NGO or community-based organisation.

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education

    AcademicRequired

    Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at The East African University.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • NGO Project Officer

    Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 180,000

    Supports project implementation in NGOs, assists with project planning, monitoring and community engagement.

  • Programme Assistant

    Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 160,000

    Supports programme coordination in NGOs, assists with activity planning, reporting and stakeholder coordination.

  • Community Development Officer

    Moderate demandKsh 27,000 to Ksh 150,000

    Coordinates community development activities, mobilises communities and supports development initiatives in NGOs and CBOs.

  • Fundraising Assistant

    Low demandKsh 26,000 to Ksh 140,000

    Supports fundraising activities, assists with proposal writing, donor communication and resource mobilisation in NGOs.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as NGO project officers, programme assistants and community development officers in NGOs and development agencies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • NGO management is just about charity work.

    NGO management involves professional skills in project management, fundraising, financial management, monitoring and evaluation, governance and accountability.

  • There are no career opportunities in the NGO sector.

    Kenya has one of Africa's largest NGO sectors, with thousands of organisations employing professionals in project management, fundraising, advocacy and community development.

  • NGO work is only for volunteers.

    While volunteering is common, NGOs employ paid professional staff for project management, programme coordination, monitoring and evaluation, finance and administration roles.

  • A diploma is not sufficient for NGO careers.

    A diploma provides the foundational skills for entry-level NGO roles, with opportunities to progress to degree programmes for career advancement.

Further reading

Read next