Hybrid security arrangements — where state and non-state actors share control over policing, justice, or armed force — are now a defining feature of many fragile and conflict-affected environments. Yet these dynamics challenge core assumptions behind development programming, security sector reform, and international engagement. This course explores the tools, risks, and adaptive approaches that development actors must adopt to navigate hybrid security landscapes responsibly.
Through four structured modules combining theory, typologies, fictional case studies, and applied tools, the course examines how development practitioners can design and implement programmes that reduce harm and promote accountability — even where state authority is fragmented or contested. The course draws on both real-world and fictional case studies to test learners’ skills in risk analysis, programme design, and political adaptation.
Instructors
Andrea Cellino
International Security & Governance
Mr. Andrea Cellino is the Vice President of MEIS, the Middle East Institute Switzerland, and an Executive-in-Residence at GCSP, the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. From 2015-2023 he was the Head of the North Africa Desk at DCAF, the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance, managing operations in Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia. Before joining DCAF, Andrea spent six years leading fieldwork for the OSCE in the Balkans and in Ukraine, where in 2014 he led a monitoring team in the Donbas conflict zone. Previously, Andrea was Deputy Secretary General for Policy at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Brussels, directing the PA’s outreach programs with parliaments in the MENA region and in Eastern Europe. Andrea published several analyses on international relations and security issues, including three studies on security sector reform in the MENA region. An Italian and Swiss national, Andrea holds a MA in Political Science from the University of Torino and a Master’s in Contemporary History from the University of California, San Diego.
Roberta Maggi
Security Sector Governance
Roberta Maggi is an Associate Fellow at the Center for Applied Research in Partnership with the Orient (CARPO). A development practitioner with over seven years of experience, Roberta specializes in governance and institutional reform in conflict-affected and hybrid security contexts, with a particular focus on North Africa and the Sahel. She previously served as Programme Manager at the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF), where she led the Centre’s Libya portfolio and contributed to broader regional work in Tunisia, Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine. Her work has centred on advancing good governance, accountability, and inclusive security through technical assistance, stakeholder dialogue, and policy-oriented knowledge production. Roberta has advised governments, international organizations, and local actors on issues including security arrangements, oversight mechanisms, community safety, and institutional change. She holds a Master’s (MA) degree in International Relations and Political Science from the Geneva Graduate Institute, and a Bachelor’s (BA) degree in International Relations from the Department of War Studies at King’s College London.
Course Details
10 Lectures
Reading Materials
5 Quizzes
Online
4 Hours
English
What You Will Learn
- Understand key concepts in hybrid security including rule of law, monopoly on violence, and security governance
- Recognise different types of armed groups and how they interact with state structures
- Assess the integration of non-state actors into formal security sectors and the risks it entails
- Distinguish between stabilisation, reform, and governance approaches in the security sector
- Apply programming tools — theories of change, stakeholder maps, and risk matrices — to navigate complexity in hybrid environments
- Evaluate how development programmes can entrench or challenge fragmented authority
- Design inclusive, adaptive, and politically aware programming in hybrid conflict contexts
Who Is This Course For
This course is designed for development professionals, policy practitioners, analysts, and students working in or on fragile and conflict-affected settings. It is particularly relevant for those engaged in governance, peacebuilding, humanitarian coordination, or security sector reform. Whether working for NGOs, donor agencies, multilateral organisations, national institutions or in academia, participants will deepen their ability to think critically, plan adaptively, and manage risk in complex environments.
Course Content
Tuition Fee
The total tuition fee for the programme is €75. This fee includes:
- Unlimited Access: Full access to all pre-recorded video lectures and downloadable reading materials.
- Certification: A Professional Certificate of Completion (awarded upon passing the final assessment).
Duration and Fornat
The programme is 100% online and self-paced, allowing you to fit learning around your schedule.
- Time Commitment: The curriculum is designed to be completed in approximately 5-6 hours, including video lectures, reading materials, and quizzes.
- Flexibility: There are no fixed login times or deadlines. You can start immediately and progress through the material at your own speed.
Assessment & Certification
To ensure mastery of the material, the programme includes a structured assessment path:
- Module Quizzes: A multiple-choice quiz at the end of each module to test your understanding.
- Final Exam: A comprehensive final quiz covering the entire syllabus.
- The Certificate: To receive your Certificate of Completion, you must achieve a pass mark of at least 60% in each of the assessments.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this programme, you must fulfil the following criteria:
- English Proficiency: B1/B2 (Intermediate) level is recommended to fully understand the terminology.
- Motivation: A genuine interest in understanding the course topic.
- Technical: A stable internet connection to stream high-definition video lectures.
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FAQ
To enrol in the programme, simply click on the “Enroll” button located on the course page. This will take you to the checkout page where you can fill out the required information and proceed with the payment to complete your enrollment.
Payment for the programme can be made by clicking on the “Enroll” button and proceeding to checkout. We use safe and secure payment technologies to ensure the security of your payment information.
The core video modules and reading materials take approximately 4-5-6 hours to complete.
No. The programme is entirely self-paced. You can start whenever you like and take as much time as you need to complete the lectures.
Our programme offers a unique advantage as it is taught by industry experts who bring real-world experience and insights to the learning process. This ensures that the content is relevant, up-to-date, and of the highest quality.
Absolutely. We encourage you to list the programme under “Education” or “Certifications”.
The quizzes are designed to reinforce learning, not to catch you out. You will need a 60% pass rate to generate your certificate, but you can retake the quizzes if necessary to improve your score.
You will have lifetime access to the programme materials, allowing you to study at your own pace and revisit the content whenever you need to.
We offer a money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the programme. If you wish to cancel your enrollment, please contact us at info@eugovlab.com within 3 days of enrollment for a full refund.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact us at info@eugovlab.com. Our team is here to help and will respond to your inquiry promptly.
Course Includes
- 5 Lessons
- 14 Topics
- 5 Assessments
- Course Certificate