Course Code: NPM522
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Synopsis

NPM522 Maximise Human Capital for Social Impact provides an overview of theory and research-backed strategies for maximising human capital for social impact. Students will gain a good understanding of how they could harness volunteer and paid human capital to achieve the desired outcomes. By the end of the course, students will have the knowledge and skills to effective leadership, social responsibility as a leader and the tools for performance measures.
Level: 5
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: EVERY JAN

Topics

  • Adaptive leadership
  • Equity, diversity and inclusion
  • Hierarchy of choice
  • Institutional dynamics
  • Judgement and decision-making
  • Leadership dysfunctions
  • Motivation and engagement
  • Organisational change, culture and fit
  • Power and influence
  • Self-efficacy in leadership
  • Society, community and social leadership
  • Reflective practice

Learning Outcome

  • Construct appropriate output, outcome and impact measures that are aligned with organizational purpose and strategic goals.
  • Examine global trends in human capital management and the importance of ethical frameworks in maximising people resources.
  • Improve one’s self-reflection for greater sense of clarity about personal leadership styles, mission and purpose.
  • Appraise organisational mission and values and improve capacities to give meaning and impact on the organisation’s mission and purpose.
  • Appraise the challenges and social responsibility associated with leadership.
  • Improve organisational performance using appropriate measures for the team’s progress and results.
Part-time Programmes / CET Courses

Dates for 2026 January Semester

SessionTimeLocation
19am to 6pmSUSS
29am to 6pmSUSS
39am to 6pmSUSS
49am to 6pm
SUSS

Who Should Attend

  • Non-profit organisation executives and staff

 

Relevance of Course to Employment / Upskilling / Reskilling

NPM522 equips current and aspiring nonprofit leaders with the human-capital capabilities now demanded in a rapidly evolving social sector. As charities, IPCs and social enterprises face tighter manpower constraints, rising accountability standards, and increasingly complex community needs, leaders must know how to mobilise people—paid staff, volunteers, partners—towards measurable social outcomes and impact. 
  
This course builds precisely these strengths. Students develop the practical judgement to lead diverse teams, navigate institutional dynamics, and foster cultures that support ethical, high-performing work. They learn to design outcome-driven performance measures, strengthen employee and volunteer engagement, and apply adaptive leadership to real organisational challenges. 
  
Whether for career progression, leadership transition, or reskilling into the nonprofit sector, NPM522 provides immediately applicable competencies for managing people responsibly, elevating organisational performance, and driving mission impact with confidence and clarity. 


Admission Prerequisites

  • Bachelor's Degree

Please refer to Graduate CET Admission Eligibility Criteria for Graduate CET Modular Courses.


Schedule

SessionTime Topic
Session 1
14-Feb-26		9am to 1pm
    Introduction: Social Change Model Topic 1 Understanding the Value Proposition of Nonprofits  
    • Problem definition and target beneficiaries  
    • Value proposition  
    • Non-profit business model  

    		1pm to 2pmLunch Break
     2pm to 6pm
    Topic 2 Value Proposition and Desired Social Change  
    • Resources and capabilities as capital  
    • Strategic alignment 
    Case: (a) VaSSP by YMCA Singapore, (b) Samsui Kitchen (CNA documentary) Reflective questions:  
    • How non-profits can engage in sustainability?
    • What are some key drivers of non-profit financial sustainability?  
    • What opportunities should non-profits in Singapore leverage to enhance impact? 
    Session 2
    21-Feb-26    		9am to 1pm
    Topic 1 Systems framing  
    • Causal pathway to target outcome(s) 
    •  Theory of change & logic model  
    • Cause-effect relationship between intervention & results 
     1pm to 2pmLunch Break

    		2pm to 6pm
    Topic 2 
    Systems Framing and Social Change 
    • Social impact assessment vs programme evaluation 
    • Four types of social change strategy 
    • Case: Samsui Kitchen 
     
    Guest Speaker 
    Reflective questions:
    • What are some pressing problems in our healthcare system today?
    • How do these problems impact well and productive citizens? Why so?
    • What is the desired social change for SCHs? What is the adopted strategy towards the desired outcome? 
    Session 3
    28-Feb-26    		9am to 1pm
      		Social Performance Management System  
       
      Topic 1 Social Value Measures  
      • Cost effectiveness analysis  
      • Cost benefit analysis 
       1pm to 2pmLunch Break
       2pm to 6pm Topic 2 Social ROI  
      • Financial ROI vs SROI  
      • Types of SROI  
      • Estimating SROI  
       
      Case: (a) The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program: Impact on Stakeholders, (b) Tzu Chi Foundation (video case) 
      Session 4
      07-Mar-26      		 9am to 1pmReimagining Our Futures Together Topic 1 Drive for Social Performance  
      • Quantifying Social Performance  
      • Qualitative Evaluation of Social Change  
      • Limitations with quantified and quality measures
       1pm to 2pm Lunch Break
       2pm to 6pm  Topic 2 Design a system to drive social performance  
      • Social balance scorecard  
      • Applying social change at different levels.  
      • Nuance between scale and scope  
      • Build human capital to accentuate the character of your non-profit organization 
      • Case: Captains of Lives: The Transformation Journey of the Singapore Prison Service Online Activities
      • Group activities
      • Reflective practice
      • Course evaluation, de-brief & wrap-up
      • Assessment 

       

      Assessments

      • Assignments
      • Others
      • Participation
      • Written Examination


        About the Trainer

        Dr Caroline Lim

        Dr Caroline Lim is an academic and practitioner specialising in transformative service research, nonprofit leadership, and health–social care integration. Her work bridges marketing, governance, and community care to improve wellbeing outcomes for vulnerable populations. She has led national capability-building initiatives with MCCY and the Commissioner of Charities, developed sector-focused programmes at SUSS, and designed the Graduate Diploma in Organisation & Leadership for Social Change at SUSS. Her research spans charity governance, collaborative care ecosystems, social prescribing, and arts-based wellbeing, complemented by industry-engaged studies with clients in financial institutions. Through teaching, research, and national service, she advances practice-based scholarship that strengthens Singapore’s social and health ecosystems.


        Course Fee

         International ParticipantsSingapore Citizens (below 40yrs), Permanent ResidentsSkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy1 (S'poreans aged 40 and above)Enhanced Training Support for SME2 (Singaporean and PRs)
        Full Course fee (A) $3,168.00$2,640.00$2,640.00$2,640.00
        SSG grant (70%) (B)-$1,848.00$1,848.00$1,848.00
        Nett course fee (A) - (B) = (C) $3,168.00$792.00$792.00$792.00
        9% GST on nett course fee (D)$285.12$71.28$71.28$71.28
        Total nett course fee payable, including GST (C) + (D) = (E)$3,453.12$863.28$863.28$863.28
        Less additional funding if eligible under various schemes (F)---$528.00
        Total nett course fee payable, including GST, after additional funding from the various funding schemes (E) - (F) = (H)$3,453.12$863.28$335.28$335.28

        Note:

        Singaporeans aged 40 years and above may apply to offset out-of-pocket course fees from  their SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career) 60 days before the programme start date, and up to 90 days after the programme start date. More information at /academics/executive-lifelong-learning/courses/grant---schemes/skillsfuture#skillsfuture-credit

        For payment, please refer to /payment-modes for the various payment modes.

        For Refund Policy, please refer to /admissions/financial-matters/tuition-fee-subsidy/cet-courses#refund-policy.

        1. A written request for a refund must be submitted and is subject to approval. 
        1. If written notice of withdrawal is given within the cooling off period and before the course start date, a full refund of the fees paid less an administrative charge of $110.00 (exclusive of GST) will be given. 
        1. No refund will be given for withdrawal thereafter. 
        1. The cooling off period is defined as 7 working days after payment of course fee. 

         

        Course Completion Requirements

        • Participants are required to achieve at least 75% attendance and pass any prescribed examinations/assessments or submit any course/project work (if any) under the course requirement.
        • Participants are required to complete all surveys and feedbacks related to the course
        • The course fees are reviewed annually and may be revised. The University reserves the right to adjust the course fees without prior notice.
        • Singapore University of Social Sciences reserves the right to amend and/or revise the above schedule without prior notice

        For clarification, please contact the SUSS Academy via the following:

        Telephone: +65 6248 0263
        Email: [email protected]