Executive Master in Management of International Organizations
Time to steer international challenges
The Executive Master in Management of International Organizations (EMMIO) is a part-time blended program that successfully prepares participants to tackle the biggest managerial challenges of modern international organizations, such as: United Nations, International NGOs, International Financial Institutions, Intergovernmental and Supranational Organizations.
Compacting an impressive workload and a fully-fledged executive master program into a nine-month educational path, EMMIO is compatible with full-time employment. By providing you with knowledge, methodological frameworks, and operational tools directly applicable to daily professional challenges, EMMIO allows you to make immediate contribution to your working environment.
Main Partners
AHRMIO
SDA Bocconi is a proud academic partner of the Association for Human Resources Management in International Organizations (AHRMIO); the association is dedicated to furthering the management of people and human talent in not-for-profit international organizations in the governmental and non-governmental sectors. It does this through the generation and sharing of knowledge, the provision of professional development opportunities, and the organization of events to discuss and advance the state-of-the-practice in HR management.
Impactpool
SDA Bocconi is a proud partner of Impactpool, the world’s fastest-growing international development career website. EMMIO and Impactpool are working synergically to provide quality education to international development practitioners while supporting the IOs community in recruiting competent leaders and managers that will be able to tackle the complexities and managerial challenges faced by international institutions.
Global Food Security Cluster
SDA Bocconi is a proud partner of the Global Food Security Cluster (GFSC), established to coordinate the food security response during a humanitarian crisis, addressing issues of food availability, access, and utilization. The GFSC is an innovative inter-agency, across-the-board mechanism continuously experimenting with innovative ways to boost preparedness, fight vulnerability of national systems, increase humanitarian assistance effectiveness, and increase UN and non-UN cooperation. The EMMIO participates in the intense knowledge exchange and generation of the cluster, and brings the valuable lessons it learned to the classroom.
Career Development Roundtable
SDA Bocconi is proud to partner with the CDR to develop original content and to advance knowledge on human resources management, aiming to contribute to continuously improve management practices in international organizations.
The CDR does so by creating a network dedicated to sharing best practices, and generating and spreading knowledge on human capital topics and issues.
Global Careers Fair
SDA Bocconi and Global Careers Fair, the largest online recruitment events and job board of its kind, are working hand-in-hand to train the leaders of the future and to offer them career opportunities in International Organisations (IOs), the International Public Sector (IPS) and Non-Profit Organisations (NGOs).
- Words from the Director
- Experience EMMIO - Nuclear Diplomacy with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi
Who is it for?
For mid- and senior-level professionals with at least 5 years of professional experience, who are already working for or interested in pursuing a career in International Institutions and NGOs.
For mid-and-senior level professionals willing to unlock their managerial potential and strengthen their leadership capacity.
EMMIO is the ideal program if you want to:
- Strengthen your strategic thinking in today’s international cooperation landscape;
- Develop your ability to lead organizations through sustainable and impactful innovation;
- Boost your managerial skills in building and managing partnerships, raising critical resources to achieve your organization’s mandate and leveraging human capital effectively;
- Enhance your ability to manage resources, mitigate risks, and achieve operational excellence.
EMMIO 2024-2025 (10th edition)
Why choose us?
1. A unique value propositionA fully tailored, hands on degree that will strengthen your competence and heighten your visibility, equipping you for your future professional challenges.
2. An innovative learning model: from theory to practiceWhy choose between world class academic contents and cutting edge business practices? EMMIO allows you to get the best of both worlds, combining a hands-on approach with a solid theoretical component, anchored around management frameworks and tools tailored to the operational and institutional specificities of international organizations. Different and complementary learning methodologies will be adopted, to ensure that the content is engaging, interactive and delivered in a way that suits you.
3. Think creatively and elaborate innovative solutionsEMMIO is so much more than a Masters’ programme – it’s a laboratory where participants all pour in their professional experiences to gain insights, think creatively and elaborate new solutions to common problems. The EMMIO cohort mixes professionals from both the international development and humanitarian assistance sectors with twenty or more organizations represented. This diversity and complementarity of backgrounds helps to foster systematic and strategic thinking among our participants.
4. A blended formula for a “fit to measure” educationAt SDA Bocconi we believe that your education should fit your needs, and work around your schedule. Our blended formula gives you two main benefits: maximum flexibility to complete the on-distance course workload throughout the year, and a concentrated face to face course delivery in two sessions of two and half weeks each. You will earn your degree in only nine months while taking full advantage of the flexible programme schedule, giving you an efficient, effective and immediate boost to your career.
5. World-class Faculty experienced in International Public ManagementSDA Bocconi has invested in the EMMIO all the experience of its four-decade commitment for shaping public management reforms. The strength of its faculty lies in the extraordinary network that unites internationally renowned scholars with senior managers of UN system organizations, innovators, and change agents. Which allows this special blend of knowledge and experience is at hand to shape your own learning experience and ultimately your career.
6. Milano – the place to beSDA Bocconi’s location allows you to get the most out of your advanced education by taking in the Milan experience. Milan is a global business hub synonymous with style, art, design, innovation and well-being. Get inspired in the most vibrant Mediterranean city, immersed in a dynamic environment open to international business leaders and global policy makers alike.
Highlights
Calendar and contents
- Face-to-Face Modules: Two modules totaling 25 full in-class days,25 in-class days with lectures, practitioner talks, workshops, simulations, and group work.
- Distance Learning: Two blocks of courses delivered via webinars and online forums for assignments, feedback, and engagement.
- Executive Coaching: One-to-one sessions with certified coaches.
- Capstone Project: Structured follow-up opportunities to apply class content in the workplace.
Core modules: Envisioning and Innovating
In the first part of the program, you will focus on developing key soft skills to help you navigate and thrive in complex organizational environments. Modules in this section explore the dynamic context in which international organizations operate, introduce key frameworks for strategic thinking and planning, address the fundamentals of organizational design, institutional governance, and change management, and strengthen your ability to lead and evaluate sustainable innovation.
Key topics in this first term include:
- Managing and leading international development
- Strategic thinking and sustainable planning
- Negotiation and conflict resolution
- Fostering innovation leveraging on networks
- Leveraging Human Capital
This part of the program focuses on key management tools delivered through SDA Bocconi’s flexible online platform. You’ll develop skills for navigating multicultural, decentralized international organizations, with content covering ethical management, results-based management, public procurement, and impact investing.
Modules in this section equip participants to perform effectively in the multicultural environments typical of large, decentralized organizations, while also emphasizing ethical leadership, results-oriented approaches, and the principles of public procurement and impact investing.
In the second and third terms, you'll explore topics such as:
- Resource mobilization for accountability
- Project Management in international development
- Leadership competences for global and inter-cultural collaboration
- Management Tools for Development
Distance learning material can include: video lessons, presentations, online resources, quizzes, and e-book tests. Webinars are synchronous online sessions that allow for real-time interaction between the instructor and the participants, while streaming to all devices.
Core modules: managing resources and operations
In the final phase of the program, you'll deepen your operational and strategic management skills for international organizations. Modules cover key functional areas such as budgeting, financial and risk management, resource mobilization, branding, business process improvement, and operations.
Modules in this section guide participants through essential management functions, ranging from budgeting and financial management to risk management, from resource mobilization and branding to business process improvement and operations.
In the fourth term, you'll focus on topics such as:
- Results based management ethics in international organizations: policies, values, culture, decision-making, risk, and leadership
- Risk management and internal controls for international organisations
- Operations and supply chain in humanitarian aid
- Budgeting and financial management
- Digital transformation in international organizations
Program Details
- An engaging Journey in International Organizations Management
The EMMIO program, rooted in the expertise of SDA Bocconi's Public Management and Policy Department, offers a unique blend of face-to-face lectures and distance learning sessions. This immersive, international environment provides hands-on training in a highly interactive setting, allowing you to develop managerial competencies, nurture leadership skills, and prepare for future professional challenges.
By bringing together professionals from both the public and private sectors, EMMIO emphasizes the rebirth of multilateralism and the importance of renewed partnerships to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda.
Faculty
International organizations play a critical role in global governance and in enabling their partners to navigate increasingly complex and inter-related development challenges.
The EMMIO aims to build professionals with the skills and knowledge to excel as international civil servants and enhance their organizations' effectiveness. The program combines solid academic frameworks, dynamic teamwork, and a focus on emerging global development trends. Join the EMMIO program and become part of the future leaders of international organizations.
Welcome to the #EMMIO, where you will embark on a life-changing journey towards a more impactful career. Designed for mid- and senior professionals in the UN, INGOs, IFIs, and beyond, this program equips you with the knowledge and expertise to tackle today's most pressing global challenges.
By recognizing emerging actors and aligning your career goals with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, you will be at the forefront of shaping a better future for all. Join us and unleash your potential to make a lasting impact in the public and private sectors, leading the way in an ever-evolving international arena.
Admissions
We seek highly motivated candidates with clear career goals and a commitment to excellence.
Our rigorous selection process ensures a dynamic, diverse, and high-achieving EMMIO class each year— professionals with international vocation, ready to tackle the biggest managerial challenges of modern global organizations.
Our goal is to ensure that this challenging yet rewarding journey aligns with your aspirations.
Requirements:
- Degree certificate (in any discipline), transcript of the grades
- Application form
- Detailed CV/Resume
- Min. 5 years of professional experience
- Proficiency in English
- Strong motivation
Please note that GMAT or GRE are not required to apply to EMMIO.
Fees and Scholarships
Our EMMIO program requires substantial commitment, but the returns—both personal and professional—are unmatched.
The tuition fee for EMMIO 2025-2026 is € 27,000, payable in three installments.
Each year, SDA Bocconi School of Management—along with companies, organizations, alums and current students—offers multiple merit-based scholarships and tuition waivers to support outstanding candidates.
Navigating your professional future
As an EMMIO graduate, you are not just earning a degree—you are stepping into a world of opportunity, leadership, and global impact. The program is designed to support your career development and open doors to impactful roles within international organizations and the broader public sector.
With personalized guidance and access to a diverse, international network of professionals, EMMIO empowers you to grow into leadership positions. You will be part of a dynamic community of mavericks, shapers, and out-of-the-box thinkers, professionals who are reshaping the future of international institutions with their energy, entrepreneurship, and skills. Equipped with the mindset, connections, and expertise to lead change, you’ll make a lasting impact in the multilateral system, wherever your career takes you.
- My Emmio in 60 seconds - Arine Kazarian | SDA Bocconi
- My Emmio in 60 seconds - Melany Quinones Valero | SDA Bocconi
