Monitoring & Evaluation Specialists, INGOs, Humanitarian Management, Policy professionals carrying out rapid human needs assessments and humanitarian fieldwork. Course is open to academics and PhD students who are working in complex environments.

Our course includes a ‘policy output’ design, particularly aimed at building critical research skills with M&E professionals. Training to develop policy as an output, informs process in design, and impact findings to support where humanitarian intervention need is required. Policy findings also assist in generating points of mediation, for societies needs in complex environments, assisting targeting of aid, and donor funding.

Course Structure:

Each day will incorporate a mix of:

Interactive Lectures: Introduction to key concepts, theories, and principles.

Practical Exercises: Individual and group activities to apply learned concepts.

Case Studies: Examination of real-world examples from the humanitarian sector.

Group Discussions: Opportunities for sharing experiences and learning from peers.

Q&A Sessions: Dedicated time for addressing participant questions and concerns.

Day 1: Foundations of Policy and Research Evaluation in Humanitarian Action

Morning Session (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM):

Introduction & Course Overview: Welcome, objectives, schedule, and participant introductions.

Humanitarian Principles and Ethics: Core principles (humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence) and their relevance to research and M&E. Ethical considerations in research with vulnerable populations.

Introduction to Research Methods: Qualitative vs. Quantitative research, Mixed Methods approaches.

Needs Assessments in Humanitarian Contexts: Purpose, methods, and challenges.

Afternoon Session (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM):

Introduction to Monitoring & Evaluation: M&E concepts, principles, and the program cycle.

M&E Frameworks: Logic models, theory of change, results frameworks.

Defining Indicators and Targets: Selecting appropriate indicators and setting SMART targets.

Case Study 1: Examining a real-world humanitarian project's M&E plan and its challenges.

Day 2: Qualitative Research Methods in Humanitarian Settings

Morning Session (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM):

Overview of Qualitative Methods: Strengths and limitations of different qualitative methods.

In-depth Interviews: Planning, conducting, and analysing interview data.

Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): Facilitation techniques, participant selection, and data analysis.

Participatory Research Techniques: Community mapping, Transect walks, and other participatory approaches.

Afternoon Session (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM):

Observation Techniques: Structured and unstructured observation.

Data Analysis for Qualitative Data: Coding, thematic analysis, and reporting.

Practical Exercise 1: Participants practice designing interview questions and a focus group protocol.

Ethical Considerations in Qualitative Research: Ensuring consent, confidentiality, and safety of participants.

Day 3: Quantitative Research Methods in Humanitarian Settings

Morning Session (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM):

Overview of Quantitative Methods: Surveys, questionnaires, and sampling techniques.

Questionnaire Design: Developing clear and effective survey questions.

Sampling Strategies: Probability and non-probability sampling methods.

Data Collection Techniques: Tools and methods for collecting quantitative data.

Afternoon Session (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM):

Data Analysis for Quantitative Data: Basic statistical analysis using spreadsheets and simple software.

Presenting Quantitative Data: Charts, tables, and reports.

Practical Exercise 2: Participants develop a short survey and analyze sample data.

Case Study 2: Analysing survey results from a humanitarian intervention.

Day 4: Data Management and M&E Systems in Humanitarian Contexts

Morning Session (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM):

Data Management in Humanitarian Contexts: Challenges and best practices in data collection, storage, and analysis.

Data Quality Assurance: Ensuring accuracy and reliability of data.

Developing M&E Plans: From program design to reporting.

Digital Tools for M&E: Exploring mobile data collection and management platforms.

Afternoon Session (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM):

Reporting M&E Findings: Effectively communicating results to stakeholders.

Using M&E for Program Improvement: Learning and adaptation in humanitarian programs.

Practical Exercise 3: Participants develop a simple M&E plan for a hypothetical humanitarian project.

Group discussion: Sharing experiences and challenges related to M&E implementation in the field.

Day 5: Evaluation Approaches and Future of Research in Humanitarian Action

Morning Session (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM):

Overview of Different Evaluation Approaches: Formative, summative, impact evaluations.

Rapid Assessments & Real-Time Evaluation: Agile approaches in fast-moving humanitarian crises.

Accountability and Learning: Using evaluation results for accountability and program adaptation.

Participatory Evaluation: Engaging communities in the evaluation process.

Afternoon Session (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM):

Future of Research in the Humanitarian Sector: Emerging trends and innovative approaches.

Ethical considerations revisited: Emphasizing ongoing importance and complexities.

Course Wrap-up: Q&A, participant feedback, and course evaluation.

Closing Remarks & Certificates:

Throughout the course:

Emphasis on practical application: All sessions will include hands-on exercises and case studies.

Focus on ethical considerations: Ethical dilemmas will be discussed in the context of each topic.

Relevance to diverse contexts: Examples will be drawn from various types of humanitarian interventions and locations.

Learning environment: Encourage open discussion, collaborative learning, and peer support.

Resource materials: Participants will receive a course handbook with key concepts, templates, and resources.

Assessment:

Active participation in discussions and exercises.

Completion of practical exercises.

A short group project developing a research or M&E plan.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Understand core principles of research and M&E in humanitarian action.

Design and implement needs assessments and research studies.

Apply qualitative and quantitative data collection methods.

Develop M&E plans and frameworks for humanitarian programs.

Analyze and interpret data.

Use M&E results to improve program quality and accountability.

Apply ethical principles in research and M&E.

This five-day course is designed to be intensive but also highly practical and relevant. It will provide participants with valuable tools and skills that they can immediately use in their work to improve the effectiveness and impact of humanitarian programs.

Courses options can be tailored to suit your organisations needs:

Course option 1: (1 Week Class Based)

5 Days, classroom based.

Course option 2: (2 Weeks Field Based)

5 Days classroom, with an extended week of 5 days to carry out live research with the research team in complex environments, designing policy from the research output engagement.