- Research project
- – Western Pacific
The Water Leadership Program (WLP) is an award-winning program that helps emerging leaders to develop the ability to exert influence, drive change and advance challenging integrated water management projects – abilities associated with the most effective integrated water management leaders.
The WLP is a feedback-intensive, 10-month professional development program, underpinned by a contemporary definition of leadership, commonly known as the DAC Framework. The DAC Framework views leadership as a process of influence that accomplishes three outcomes:
Participants in the program may achieve one of two Griffith University digitally badged micro-credential – a Certificate of Water Leadership or a Certificate of Water Leadership (Excellence). In short, a Certificate of Excellence micro-credential is awarded when participants complete all elements of the program. A standard Certificate micro-credential is awarded when participants just complete the core elements of the program (e.g. the training, 360-degree feedback, an individual leadership development plan, etc.).
Micro-credential certificates are issued in the form of digital badges granted through Credly. The Certificate of Excellence provides 20 Credit Points of advanced standing entry towards the Graduate Certificate in Water Leadership offered by Griffith University – equivalent to half of the Graduate Certificate.
Designed to build your capacity to continually develop as a water industry leader over your career, this ten-month program features a balance between academic and real-world approaches to learning including:
This program is offered part-time over ten months and includes two face-to-face intensives. The program is flexible, to cater to professionals who are currently working. As a participant in the program, you will:
IWC offers a range of scholarships which vary year to year depending on the interests of sponsoring organisations who wish to fund leadership development in the water sector.
Apply NowThis program targets non-executive leaders in the water sector. Program participants play a variety of leadership roles, but are all team leaders. Some also lead cross boundary project teams, while others lead teams of staff. Some more senior participants are also preparing for executive roles.
Participants come from all parts of the water sector, with the majority coming from water utilities, State government departments and local government agencies. The average age is mid 30s, with equal participation by males and females.
Since 2011, over 270 participants from eight countries, with the majority being Australian, have completed the program.
We have developed a self-assessment tool to help you to determine if the Water Leadership Program meets your current professional development needs, if you are ready to undertake this program now, and what your potential benefit from the program may be.
Download the tool here
The program has been designed and is delivered each year in accordance with the following principles:
The following is an overview of the program’s elements, their timings and time commitment for participants.
(The total time commitment is estimated at 14 days over ten months in order to receive the Certificate in Excellence. Participants could also undertake optional online workshops and group coaching activities, which would take another 2 days of time.)
December
Program elements:
January
Program elements:
February
Program elements:
March
Program elements:
April
Program elements:
May
Program elements:
June
Program elements:
July
Program elements:
August
Program elements:
September
Program elements:
Please note this schedule is pending COVID-19 barriers/travel restrictions. Program schedule, mode and timing may be altered to accommodate circumstances affected by COVID-19.
Participants in the program may achieve one of two Griffith University digitally badged micro-credential – a Certificate of Water Leadership or a Certificate of Water Leadership (Excellence).
In short, a Certificate of Excellence micro-credential is awarded when participants complete all elements of the program (see Table 1). A standard Certificate micro-credential is awarded when participants just complete the core elements of the program (e.g. the training, 360-degree feedback, an individual leadership development plan, etc.).
Micro-credential certificates are issued in the form of digital badges granted through Credly. The Certificate of Excellence provides 20 Credit Points of advanced standing entry towards the Graduate Certificate in Water Leadership offered by Griffith University. This is equivalent to gaining academic credit for half of the Graduate Certificate.
If you are an Australian or New Zealand citizen or resident, a number of scholarships are available for those interested in enrolling in the Water Leadership Program with the International WaterCentre.
See our scholarships page for more information.
The Water Leadership Program is designed for emerging water leaders at the project to middle management level. The program is customised for the water sector to equip participants with:
Project and middle managers with:
As a participant you will have opportunities to identify key leadership issues relevant to your individual context. This means that you’ll find the program highly beneficial and relevant regardless of where in the world you come from.
I wish I was directed to this type of leadership course earlier. Some of the highlights from the course for me were: a 360 degree survey and feed-back process to develop a greater awareness of strengths and blind spots, practical tips on self-leadership activities necessary to incorporate in my weekly schedule and enhanced knowledge of proven leadership practices (eg. transformational leadership behaviours).
- Stephanie Hamel
We have developed a self-assessment tool to help you to determine if the Water Leadership Program meets your current professional development needs, if you are ready to undertake this program now, and what your potential benefit from the program may be.
As a participant you will develop:
Research indicates that networks of skilled water leaders are a major factor in driving change and helping water organisations meet the complex challenges of the 21st century. According to the feedback gathered from participants in the last three rounds, we conservatively estimate that organisations fully funding staff to participate should see a positive return on investment in less than one year (on average).
The program helps emerging leaders to strengthen their skills in:
There are two ways to strengthen your water leadership capacity at the International WaterCentre:
Both programs are identical in content and delivery, except that students in the Graduate Certificate in Water Leadership also undertake a postgraduate-level leadership project, with a higher level of analysis and reporting, complete a higher level of assessment, and work to earn a university qualification. WLP participants work to earn a Certificate of Excellence, but not a university degree.
Find out more about the Graduate Certificate in Water Leadership
