Training on Randomised Impact Evaluations for Humanitarian Interventions

Workshop or Training
Timeline:
Location:
Live via Zoom: 1pm - 5pm (Central European Time)
A small room of adult learners sit around tables to discuss a case study.
A small room of adult learners sit around tables to discuss a case study.
Photo credit: Matthieu Alexandre

J-PAL Europe is pleased to offer its first training on randomised evaluations and their applications in humanitarian settings for implementers and policymakers. Held live over Zoom, this training consists of four half-days of lectures and working sessions, and will equip participants with the resources and knowledge to engage with impact evaluations of humanitarian programmes.

The course provides an in-depth look at using randomised evaluations to rigorously measure impact, discuss methods and considerations for the design and implementation of such evaluations, and address concerns and strategies particular to humanitarian settings.

In addition, the course will enable participants to understand and critically examine how findings can inform evidence-based policies and programmes, with a particular emphasis on interventions aiming to improve protection outcomes.

 

 Complete the online application form

As places are limited, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Who is a good candidate for this course?

Participants for the course typically include senior- and mid-level management staff, technical advisors, and researchers from governments, NGOs or nonprofits, international development organisations, foundations, and private sector representatives working at various stages of the humanitarian interventions lifecycle. Ideally, participants will also have the capacity to generate organisational buy-in towards evidence-based decision making and generation of evidence and/or are involved in active projects in humanitarian settings that may give way to an evaluation. Although not required, concrete plans for designing and implementing randomised evaluations within your portfolio as well as some familiarity with economics and basic statistical concepts are helpful.

Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will be:

  • Aware of what randomised evaluations are as well as challenges and opportunities related to the implementation of this type of evaluations in humanitarian settings
  • Able to identify promising opportunities for deploying a randomised evaluation in view of generating actionable insights for future strategic and programming decisions
  • Able to address the challenges of evaluating humanitarian interventions

Course content and format

The four-day training will consist of a series of online lectures, led by J-PAL affiliated professors and senior staff with extensive experience implementing randomised evaluations.

These lectures will discuss the basic concepts of randomised evaluations and their applications to generate rigorous evidence to guide humanitarian programmes. They will be complemented with case studies, insights from practitioners and workshops to illustrate the process for conducting impact evaluations to evaluate humanitarian interventions, as well as related ethical and logistical challenges. By working through case studies and examples in small groups, participants will solidify new concepts and discuss how they might apply these skills to their own work.

Participants will also have the opportunity to engage directly with J-PAL staff and researchers regarding opportunities to collaborate and network with their peers.

Agenda

November 29 November 30 December 1 December 2
Opening and introductions Lecture: Randomised evaluations in humanitarian settings: ethical considerations Lecture: Highlights from existing evidence Lecture: Challenges specific to the humanitarian setting
Lecture: Why randomise? Lecture: How to randomise? Office hours Workshop: Designing a randomised evaluation 
Discussion: Questions and expectations going forward Randomised evaluations in humanitarian settings: insights from practitioners Lecture: Threats and analysis Closing: Outlook and next steps

How to apply: As places are limited and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, we encourage you to apply by 24 October, by completing this form.

Admissions criteria: Although we have no fixed requirements, selection for admission is based on applicants’ organisational responsibilities and organisations’ alignment with J-PAL’s mission.

Contact: Please contact Abdoulaye Ndiaye at [email protected] for any questions regarding registration or other details about the training.

Fees: Participation in the course is free of charge, thanks to funding provided by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)

For more information on J-PAL's research effort on the effectiveness of humanitarian interventions, visit our website.