Anticipate change
Read fast-moving contexts, analyse stakeholders and identify the choices that matter before pressure peaks.
New Executive Programme
Turn field responsibility into strategic leadership.
Build the strategic capabilities to lead people, programmes and organisational change in complex humanitarian environments, without stepping away from the field.
- 100% online
- In English
- 106 hours
- 4.5 months
- RNCP Level 7
Request a call back. A member of the Bioforce team will contact you within 2 working days.
Stay operational while strengthening the decisions that shape access, funding, security and organisational performance.
Bioforce40+ years of humanitarian expertise
emlyon business schoolExecutive education know-how
AACSB · EQUIS · AMBAemlyon triple accreditation
French RNCP Level 7Professional qualification
From operational response to strategic leadership
The decisions you already make are strategic.
Humanitarian organisations face funding pressure, more complex crises, higher accountability demands and a shrinking operating space. Senior field leaders already make decisions that affect access, funding, security and organisational reputation.
This programme gives experienced managers the frameworks, peer challenge and executive discipline to make those decisions with stronger strategic clarity.
Secure resources
Position programmes, diversify funding and engage technical and financial partners with stronger strategic clarity.
Lead under constraint
Arbitrate, negotiate, mobilise teams and represent your organisation with authority when stakes are high.
Who it is for
For people already responsible for critical operational decisions.
- Country Directors, Heads of Mission and Deputies
- Programme Directors and Senior Coordinators
- Regional Managers
- Experienced humanitarian managers preparing for strategic leadership roles
Admission requirements
5+ yearsMinimum managerial experience in the humanitarian sector
B2 EnglishMinimum language level required
Level 5Bachelor’s degree or equivalent minimum qualification
Online-readyReliable internet connection and audio/video equipment required
Not sure your experience fits? Talk to the programme team.
Programme architecture
Build capability around the decisions leaders must make.
Develop the practical capabilities required to design, fund and lead humanitarian response strategy in changing and unstable contexts.
1Navigate complexity and secure access
+
Read the environment, anticipate risks and make principled decisions in high-pressure contexts.
Module 1Strategic Monitoring and Operational Analysis
Module 2Safety and Security
Module 3Humanitarian Negotiations
2Shape strategy and mobilise your organisation
+
Set clear priorities, strengthen your operating model and engage teams around a shared direction.
Module 4Strategy
Module 5Business Model
Module 6Leadership
3Secure resources and expand your influence
+
Mobilise funding, build high-value alliances and strengthen your organisation’s voice and impact.
Module 7Fundraising
Module 8Partnerships & Networks
Module 9Advocacy
Learning experience
Make learning immediately useful.
A practical executive format built around real humanitarian challenges and work-based application.
01
Work on real casesUse humanitarian cases and organisational issues as learning material.
02
Challenge assumptions with senior peersCompare decisions, perspectives and constraints with experienced practitioners.
03
Apply tools between sessionsTranslate learning into your current professional context.
04
Receive pedagogical tutoringBenefit from structured support throughout the programme.
A complementary partnership
Humanitarian expertise meets executive education.
Bioforce’s deep humanitarian expertise is combined with emlyon business school’s academic excellence and executive education know-how.
Within the programme, emlyon executive education contributes directly to three core management modules:
StrategyBusiness ModelLeadership
This Executive Programme is a passport to strategic leadership at the highest level. It brings together emlyon business school’s management excellence and Bioforce’s 40+ years of humanitarian expertise.
Florence VilledeyManaging Director · Bioforce
Bénédicte BostDirector of Sustainability and Social Responsibility · emlyon business school
November 2026 intake only
A full scholarship may make this programme possible.
To mark the launch of the Bioforce MENA Mérieux Jameel Hub, full scholarships supported by Community Jameel and Fondation Mérieux are available to eligible humanitarian practitioners for the first intake of the Executive Programme.
Talk to us about the scholarship1 · NationalityYou must be a national of one of the eligible countries.
2 · Regional workYou must provide evidence of your work in the MENA region.
See eligible countries
Algeria · Saudi Arabia · Bahrain · Comoros · Djibouti · Egypt · United Arab Emirates · Iraq · Jordan · Kuwait · Lebanon · Libya · Mauritania · Morocco · Oman · Palestine · Qatar · Somalia · Sudan · Syria · Tunisia · Turkey · Yemen
Practical information
Designed to fit demanding professional roles.
100% online in English, combining online resources with evening live sessions planned on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Format106 hours over 4.5 months
Online resources + evening live sessions. Individual written assignment with viva defence.
RecognitionRNCP Level 7 + joint achievement certificate
French professional qualification and Bioforce × emlyon business school recognition.
Fee€3,950
CPF funding may be available to eligible participants in France. Group enrolment options are also available.
26 Nov 2026 → 22 Apr 2027First intake · Online · English · MENA scholarship available for eligible candidates
23 Mar 2027 → 17 Jul 2027Online · English
14 Sep 2027 → 18 Dec 2027Online · English
Before you apply
Key questions.
Can I follow the programme while holding a demanding field role?
Yes. The programme is 100% online and is designed to remain compatible with senior roles in demanding field environments. It combines online resources with evening live sessions planned on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
What level of experience is required?
Applicants need a minimum of five years of managerial experience in the humanitarian sector, a Level 5 qualification / Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and B2 English.
What qualification will I receive?
The programme leads to a French RNCP Level 7 professional qualification and a Bioforce × emlyon business school certificate of achievement, subject to successful assessment.
Who is eligible for the MENA scholarship?
For the november 2026 intake, eligible candidates must be nationals of one of the listed countries and provide evidence of their work in the MENA region.
Ready to lead at the next level?
Talk to us before you decide.
Share your contact details and the Bioforce programme team will get back to you within 2 working days.