Diploma in Stakeholder Management and Communications
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in stakeholder management and communications. 8 modules covering stakeholder analysis, engagement planning, project communication, conflict management, social licence and monitoring, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Stakeholder Management and Communications — studying from Malta
Malta's civil engineering sector is active, driven by ongoing construction, infrastructure upgrades, coastal works and urban regeneration projects across the islands. Demand for civil engineers is closely linked to public works, land development and the modernisation of transport networks. Smart city initiatives, including digital mapping, traffic management and sustainable urban planning, are increasingly relevant. Engineers typically find employment with contractors, consultancies, government departments and utility providers managing infrastructure in a densely populated environment.
Fees for Malta: €1,290 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Which Maltese bodies regulate civil engineering and related professional practice?
The Chamber of Engineers (KSU) regulates the use of the title 'engineer' in Malta under the Engineering Profession Act. Planning and development matters fall under the Planning Authority, and public works and transport infrastructure involve government agencies including Transport Malta. A SEIUM qualification does not itself grant a regulated title; recognition is decided by employers or the relevant body.
What employers in Malta would value civil, rail or smart city engineering skills?
Malta's construction, infrastructure, consultancy and public sector firms are the main employers, along with transport and utilities bodies. Smart city and digital infrastructure work is growing in some areas. Employers typically look for chartered-level experience and licensing, so a private qualification should be seen as supporting your professional development rather than a substitute for those requirements.
How can I study this while working on site, and what support is there?
The programme is delivered entirely online in English, so you can study from anywhere in Malta without a student visa. Each student has an assigned technical tutor, and the course ends with a final project. Time commitment depends on the programme length, from 300 to 1,900 hours. Ask about instalment payments and employer sponsorship to help manage costs.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Identify and prioritise a project's stakeholders.
Plan engagement strategies tailored to each group.
Design external and internal communication plans.
Manage conflicts and negotiate with communities.
Apply social licence criteria and performance standards.
Set up grievance and remedy mechanisms.
Evaluate the effectiveness of stakeholder management.
Who it's for
- Stakeholder relations managers in infrastructure projects.
- Project communication managers.
- Public participation specialists.
- Project directors who need to manage communities, authorities and funders.
- Social sustainability managers.
- Institutional relations officers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter transport infrastructure.
What you'll work with
- ISO 21502:2020 (guidance on project management)
- AA1000SES:2015 (stakeholder engagement standard)
- IFC Performance Standards 2012 (International Finance Corporation environmental and social standards)
- ISO 26000:2010 (guidance on social responsibility)
- Directive 2011/92/EU (environmental impact assessment)
- Aarhus Convention 1998 (access to information and public participation in environmental matters)
- Spanish Law 27/2006 (access to information and public participation in environmental matters)
- Borealis
- Consultation Manager
- Power BI
- Miro
- Microsoft Teams
8 modules
1.1Concept of stakeholder in infrastructure1.2Identification techniques1.3Power/interest map1.4Influence/impact matrix1.5Analysis of expectations and concerns1.6Salience model1.7Vulnerable groups and affected communities1.8Internal stakeholders1.9Updating the register1.10Workshop: stakeholder register for a motorway
2.1Levels of engagement: inform, consult, involve2.2Stakeholder engagement plan2.3Strategies by group2.4Engagement schedule2.5Resources and responsibilities2.6Public participation in environmental assessment2.7Consultation with indigenous and local communities2.8Agreements and commitments2.9Engagement indicators2.10Practical exercise: engagement plan for a railway line
3.1Communication plan3.2Key messages and narrative3.3Channels and media3.4Media relations3.5Social media and digital communication3.6Communicating disruptive works3.7Visual communication and renders3.8Plain and accessible language3.9Evaluating communication3.10Workshop: communication plan for urban works
4.1Origin of conflicts in infrastructure4.2The NIMBY phenomenon and local opposition4.3Interest-based negotiation techniques4.4Mediation with communities4.5Complaints and grievance management4.6Remedy mechanisms4.7Dialogue with public authorities4.8Managing organised opposition4.9Conflict prevention4.10Case study: residents' opposition to a substation
5.1Concept of the social licence to operate5.2Corporate social responsibility5.3Shared value with the local area5.4Local employment and suppliers5.5Cultural heritage and landscape5.6Resettlement and expropriation5.7IFC Performance Standards5.8Sustainability reporting5.9ESG criteria in financing5.10Practical exercise: community benefits plan
6.1Communication in multidisciplinary teams6.2Preparing effective meetings6.3Communicating with senior management6.4Intercultural communication in international projects6.5Internal information management6.6Active listening and feedback6.7Crisis communication6.8Collaborative tools for the team6.9The project manager's communicative leadership6.10Workshop: crisis communication protocol
7.1Stakeholder relationship indicators7.2Perception surveys7.3Media sentiment analysis7.4Commitments register7.5Social audits of the project7.6Reporting to funders7.7Adjusting the plan7.8Lessons learned with communities7.9Closure and handover of relationships7.10Case study: evaluation of a port's engagement plan
8.1Project context8.2Stakeholder register8.3Analysis and prioritisation8.4Engagement plan8.5Communication plan8.6Grievance mechanism8.7Monitoring indicators8.8Recommendations for engagement8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme can be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The working software is Borealis, Consultation Manager, Power BI, Miro and Microsoft Teams, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures such as the power/interest map of a motorway project, a public participation plan within an environmental assessment and the handling of residents' complaints during urban works. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrative project.
Standards covered: ISO 21502:2020; AA1000SES:2015; IFC Performance Standards 2012; ISO 26000:2010; Directive 2011/92/EU; Aarhus Convention 1998; Spanish Law 27/2006.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Borealis, Consultation Manager, Power BI, Miro and Microsoft Teams, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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