This paper argues for the importance, benefits and wider impact of a donor-funded, locally supported postgraduate programme in security sector management (SSM) for government officials in Ethiopia. With the exception of specialised education and training programmes within the field of peace and conflict studies, the role of education in conflict-affected and developing countries has been examined predominantly in the context of primary education. Questions remain concerning the extent to which institutional leaders of post-conflict countries have access to the necessary skill-sets and levels of knowledge required to support the advancement of systems of governance, helping enable these countries to achieve the development goals set out by both internal and external actors. This paper examines the situation on the ground in Ethiopia which drove the demand for a Cranfield University MSc programme in SSM. The paper also outlines the process and implementation requirements which shaped the export of the postgraduate programme to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The paper concludes by sharing the impact analysis of an independent review of the programme and outlines recommendations and areas for further research.