This dynamic, online course offers basic knowledge and skills in compensation and benefits from the perspective of international NGOs. Over four modules facilitated weekly, this course provides an introduction to designing, developing and implementing fair and equitable remuneration systems. We will consider issues of particular importance to international NGOs, including the role of donors and social impact, organisational culture, and both horizontal and vertical job classifications. Participants should expect highly engaging and practical exercises.

Course overview

Focused on individuals new to the reward space or looking to move into the HR/reward space, the course is open to anyone with an interest in understanding how reward is structured, and what fair reward means, no matter what your location or job role. An intermediate knowledge of Excel is required. We specifically encourage attendance by those directly implementing rewards practices in country-based projects. The Programme is currently only offered in English, but alternative languages may be available in the future – contact us for more information.

This course is offered through Project Fair, a University of Edinburgh research project focused on supporting international aid and development organisations to develop and promote fairer HR and reward policies and practices. It is directed and facilitated by Mariana Oliveira, a senior rewards specialist with almost 15 years of experience working with international NGOs covering over 70 countries.

Modules covered:

  1. The basics: What is a Remuneration System and how can it be relevant for my organisation?
  2. Job Evaluation: Why should my organisation classify its jobs and how does that relate to Rewards?
  3. Salary review: How do I interpret benchmark data and what should I consider when reviewing my organisation’s salaries?
  4. Benefits: What are the advantages and disadvantages in my organization offering benefits to staff? How do I decide which benefits to offer?

Course format & dates

This online course will run over 4 modules, each of which is 2.5 hours duration. There will be homework in between modules. It is anticipated that the 10 hours contact time will require an additional 1 hour per week of additional effort.

  1. Tuesday 11 March 2025, 1pm – 3:30pm GMT
  2. Tuesday 18 March 2025, 1pm – 3:30pm GMT
  3. Tuesday 25 March 2025, 1pm – 3:30pm GMT
  4. Tuesday 1 April 2025, 1pm – 3:30pm GMT

Who is the course for?

This is an entry level introduction to reward and hence is open to anyone with an interest in compensation and benefits. We will focus content on the international NGO sector, but many of the discussions will be relevant to those outside the sector as well.

Pre-requisite: intermediate knowledge of Excel

Presenter

Mariana Oliveira

Mariana Oliveira is a senior rewards specialist with 15 years of experience managing global rewards in the iNGO sector and impacting over 70 countries. She created the course 'Essentials of Remuneration in iNGOs' with Project Fair to share with other HR practitioners the know-how she developed over the last decade and help level up their skills.

Holding a degree in Law and an MSc in Human Rights, she worked for Médecins Sans Frontières from 2011 to 2021 in different hands-on and strategic capacities. She founded Oliva Consulting in 2021 to support organisations in increasing their social impact by designing fair and equitable reward systems, monitoring and evaluating projects, and facilitating strategic workshops.

Fees

Member status Fee
Non-member of Project Fair £700
Member of Project Fair £600

Please note that places on this course are limited, so we recommend prompt registration to secure your spot.

If there are more than three staff members from one organisation wishing to attend, please contact executive@business-school.ed.ac.uk to discuss a multi-attendee discount.

If there is a financial barrier to your attendance, please contact us to discuss options.

Certification

This course includes a Certificate of Participation.

Legal disclaimer

Please note: If we are unable to reach viable numbers for this programme, we will inform you of the course cancellation 1-3 weeks prior to the course run. Bookings will close if programme capacity is reached.