What is the Certified Gender & Development Specialist?

The Certified Gender & Development Specialist is a globally recognised professional certification by the Global Leadership Institute (GLI), designed to equip professionals with advanced competencies in Counselling & Social Services.

How long does this certification take?

The programme is 11 Weeks and can be completed at your own pace through our self-paced online option, or alongside live virtual sessions.

Is this certification globally recognised?

Yes. GLI certifications are internationally recognised and carry CPD credits, making them valuable for career advancement worldwide.

What level is this certification?

This is a Advanced Level certification, suitable for professionals with relevant experience or background in the field.

You can enrol by emailing info@certifications.ac, contacting us via WhatsApp at +254 722 223 084, or filling the enrolment form below.

Certified Gender & Development Specialist (CGDS)

Executive Summary

Certified Gender & Development Specialist

Designed for today’s high-impact professionals, the Certified Gender & Development Specialist (CGDS) delivers a rigorous Advanced-level curriculum that equips participants with the knowledge, tools and frameworks needed to excel in human resource management, talent development and organisational effectiveness.

This 11 Weeks programme is structured around SHRM, CIPD and ILO Labour Standards, ensuring every graduate applies internationally validated methods to real-world challenges.

GLI’s CGDS holders are recognised by leading organisations across Africa, the Gulf, Europe and the Americas as qualified, results-driven professionals. Whether you are advancing your current career or transitioning into new responsibilities, this certification provides the competitive edge you need in 2026 and beyond.

Programme Overview

Certification at a Glance

Certification

Certified Gender & Development Specialist

Acronym

CGDS

Who Should Enrol?

HR Managers and Directors
HR Business Partners
Learning and Development Managers
Employee Relations and OD Specialists

Programme Inclusions

Everything Included in Your Enrolment

All study materials and study guide
Access to GLI online learning portal
Online examination and assessment
Digital certificate and digital badge
Physical certificate (shipped to you)
CPD credits for professional bodies
GLI alumni network membership
Facilitator and tutor support
Resource downloads and reference library
Automatic enrolment confirmation

Certification Benefits

Why This Certification Matters for Your Career

Career Advancement

Accelerate your career towards CHRO and senior people-management roles

Professional Recognition

Credential aligned with SHRM, CIPD and ILO Labour Standards

Leadership Capability

Develop the strategic and operational skills to lead complex human resource management functions

Organisational Impact

Design and implement human resource management systems that drive performance and measurable results

Compliance Readiness

Master the standards, compliance and ethical governance central to human resource management

Global Employability

Qualify for human resource management roles across multinationals, NGOs and international organisations worldwide

Competency Framework

Core Competencies You Will Develop

✦Talent Acquisition, Resourcing and Onboarding

✦Learning, Development and Talent Management

✦Performance, Reward and Employee Relations

✦HR Strategy, Analytics and Workforce Planning

✦Employment Law, Compliance and HR Governance

✦Professional Ethics and Governance

Course Curriculum

Programme Modules

The full programme, module by module.

1

Foundations and Strategic Context of Certified Gender & Development Specialist

Certified Gender & Development Specialist: industry context, trends and professional standards · Project management principles and lifecycle · Projects, programmes and portfolios · Project management standards (PMI, PRINCE2)

2

Stakeholder and impact analysis

Stakeholder and impact analysis · Options appraisal and cost-benefit · Regulatory impact assessment · Regulatory change management and horizon scanning

3

Regulatory impact assessment

Regulatory impact assessment · Policy development and drafting · Implementation and delivery · Public consultation and engagement

4

Implementation and delivery

Implementation and delivery · Monitoring and policy evaluation · Public consultation and engagement · Analytical techniques and bias

5

Public consultation and engagement

Public consultation and engagement · Theory of change and results logic · Designing indicators that measure something · Rural livelihoods, food security and nutrition

6

Designing indicators that measure something

Designing indicators that measure something · Evaluation design, attribution and contribution · Data quality, verification and use · Participatory rural appraisal and needs assessment

7

Data quality, verification and use

Data quality, verification and use · Accountability to affected populations and participation · Humanitarian principles, needs assessment and targeting

8

Data and Measurement

Dashboards, metrics and management information · Performance management systems and KPIs · How adults actually learn: evidence over preference · Assessment that measures capability

9

Financial Acumen

Cybersecurity and financial data protection · Reconciliations and the financial close · Reading financial statements as a manager · Budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis

10

Risk and Governance

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) · Procure-to-pay control and the three-way match · Demand management and controlling maverick spend · Threat and risk assessment

11

Stakeholders and Partners

Stakeholder mapping and collaboration · Managing difficult stakeholders · Customer onboarding and lifecycle · Stakeholder mapping in banking

12

Digital and Technology

Portfolio and resource management systems · Automation in project delivery · Emerging project technologies · Digital and data-driven go-to-market

13

Ethics and Integrity

Responsible and sustainable governance · Embedding responsible business · Data ethics, privacy and responsible analytics · Ethical decision-making under pressure

14

Self-Leadership

AI and personalisation in marketing · Communication and interpersonal skills · Digital and self-service transformation · Data-driven and personalised banking

15

People Administration

Performance management systems and cycles · Contract performance management after award · NGO financial management and budget-versus-actual discipline · Capacity and performance management

16

Customers and Markets

Service KPIs: CSAT, NPS, CES, SLAs · Driving measurable service improvement · Customer service and CX strategy · Designing voice-of-customer programmes

17

Projects and Delivery

Public health programmes: prevention and outreach · The vehicle sales process from enquiry to delivery · Forecasting and planning · Designing an intervention or programme

18

Inclusion and Culture

Financial inclusion and agency banking · Building a coaching culture and an internal coaching function · Financial inclusion strategy · Learning cultures and the learning organisation

19

Legal and Policy

Contract law fundamentals and formation · Contract administration and variation · Contract performance and exit · Contract governance and compliance

20

Cross-Cultural Leadership

Key global frameworks: FAO, GlobalG.A.P., SDGs and national strategies · Expanding into regional and export markets · Cross-cultural communication · Managing virtual and cross-cultural teams

21

Suppliers and Partners

Supply markets and the enabling environment · Digital procurement and the future of the profession · Continuous improvement and lean procurement · Procurement maturity assessment

22

Sustainability

Environmental management systems (ISO 14001) · Sustainability and climate responsibility · Environmental monitoring and reporting · Continuous environmental improvement

23

Public and Community Context

Public versus private procurement · Corporate responsibility and community · Proposal development and donor reporting · Psychoeducation and public communication

24

Knowledge and Learning

Incident reporting and record-keeping · Designing learning that survives the workplace · Learning transfer and the manager’s role · Evaluating learning honestly: reaction to impact

25

Leadership and Management

Housing, welfare and environmental management · Pasture, forage and rangeland management · Dairy, poultry, and small-ruminant enterprise management · Data-driven decision support and analytics

26

People and Capability

Managing resistance and engagement · Worker engagement and empowerment · Motivation theories and engagement · Delegating for development

27

Strategy and Direction

Competitive analysis and differentiation · Product and portfolio strategy · Go-to-market and channel strategy · Brand and reputation as strategic assets

28

Operations and Delivery

Range planning and category management · Capacity planning and line balancing · Event risk, safety and contingency planning · Mine planning and methods: surface and underground

29

Communication and Influence

Sponsorship and negotiation selling · Professional presentation and pitching · Negotiation with clients and partners · Negotiation with buyers, suppliers and financiers

30

Change and Innovation

Innovation in service delivery · Measuring CX transformation impact · Digital transformation in banking · Innovation and fintech collaboration

Every module opens in the learning portal with its full lesson set, worked examples, further reading and video masterclasses. 30 modules · 150 lessons.

Learning Outcomes

What You Will Achieve

Stakeholder and impact analysis — applied to your own work
Regulatory impact assessment — applied to your own work
Implementation and delivery — applied to your own work
Public consultation and engagement — applied to your own work
Designing indicators that measure something — applied to your own work
Data quality, verification and use — applied to your own work

Enrolment Process

How to Get Certified

🎯

Step 1: Choose Your Certification

You are viewing Certified Gender & Development Specialist — one of GLI's 1,990+ globally recognised professional certifications.

💳

Step 2: Enrol & Pay Online — Instantly

Click Enrol & Study Online to register and pay securely via Paystack, Visa, Mastercard, M-Pesa or bank transfer. Access is granted the moment payment is confirmed.

📚

Step 3: Study in the GLI Learning Portal

Work through 30 structured modules and 150 lessons at your own pace, with downloadable resources and expert-designed content — all inside the LMS.

🎓

Step 4: Pass, Get Certified & Verified

Sit your final examination online, earn your certificate instantly, and receive a globally verifiable Certificate ID — plus GLI Alumni Network access.

🎓 Enrol & Study Online — Instant Access

Secure checkout · Instant LMS access · Globally verifiable certificate

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

What is the CGDS certification?

Yes. GLI certifications are recognised across 100+ countries and are aligned with SHRM, CIPD and ILO Labour Standards. Graduates receive a digital certificate, a physical certificate and CPD credits recognised by employers worldwide.

Who should enrol in the CGDS?

This certification is ideal for HR Managers and Directors, HR Business Partners, Learning and Development Managers and Employee Relations and OD Specialists, and other professionals seeking to formalise their expertise in human resource management, talent development and organisational effectiveness with a globally recognised credential.

How long does the CGDS certification take to complete?

The programme is structured over 11 Weeks and offers flexible learning modes. Self-paced learners can progress at their own schedule, while live virtual participants follow a structured cohort schedule with facilitator-led sessions.

Is the CGDS internationally recognised?

Yes. GLI certifications are recognised across 100+ countries and are aligned with SHRM, CIPD and ILO Labour Standards. Graduates receive a digital certificate, a physical certificate and CPD credits recognised by employers worldwide.

What is the cost of the CGDS certification?

The Certified Gender & Development Specialist is offered in two formats: Self-Paced at USD 449 and Live Virtual at USD 649. Corporate group rates are available for organisations enrolling 5 or more participants. Contact GLI for a bespoke corporate training quotation.

What does the CGDS certification include?

Enrolment includes all study materials and study guides, access to GLI's online learning portal, online examination, digital certificate and badge, physical certificate (posted), CPD credits, GLI alumni network membership, and ongoing facilitator support.

What is the assessment format for the CGDS?

The Certified Gender & Development Specialist is assessed through an online examination consisting of multiple-choice questions, case study analysis, and practical application assignments. The assessment is designed to evaluate real-world competency, not just theoretical recall.

What CPD credits do I earn from the CGDS?

The Certified Gender & Development Specialist carries Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits, which can be applied towards professional body requirements including recognised international professional associations.

Can I study the CGDS while working full-time?

Absolutely. The self-paced option is designed for busy working professionals and allows you to study when and where it suits you. Live virtual sessions are typically scheduled in the evenings or on weekends to accommodate professional commitments.

What career outcomes can I expect from the CGDS?

Graduates progress towards CHRO and senior people-management roles. The CGDS strengthens your expertise in human resource management, talent development and organisational effectiveness and positions you for advancement across multinationals, NGOs and international organisations.

Graduate Voices

What Our Alumni Say

“

The curriculum was directly applicable to my daily work. I immediately applied what I learned and saw results within weeks of completing the programme.

HR Director

Private Sector

“

GLI's certification is the most practical professional programme I have attended. The international frameworks gave me credibility with my employer and clients.

People Manager

NGO Sector

“

I earned my CGDS while working full-time. The self-paced format made it possible, and the quality of the content is genuinely world-class.

Talent Lead

Government

Certified Gender & Development Specialist

Certified Gender & Development Specialist

Certification at a Glance

Who Should Enrol?

Everything Included in Your Enrolment

Why This Certification Matters for Your Career

Core Competencies You Will Develop

Programme Modules

What You Will Achieve

How to Get Certified

Common Questions

What Our Alumni Say

You May Also Like

Certified Gender & Development Professional

Certified Community Development Professional

Certified Child Protection and Safeguarding Expert

Certified Anger Management and Behaviour Change Coach

Certified Gender Equality Specialist

Certified Ethics and Professional Boundaries in Counselling