Training on Randomized Impact Evaluations for Humanitarian Professionals

Workshop or Training
Timeline:
to
Location:
Live via Zoom: 1pm - 5pm (Central European Time)

Partners:

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 and Innovations for Poverty Action are pleased to offer training on randomized 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 programs with a focus on programs working to promote protection in conflict settings. 

The course provides an in-depth look at using randomized 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 programs, with a particular emphasis on solutions aiming to improve protection outcomes.

 

 Complete the online application form by 2 February, 2024. 

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 protection professionals working as senior- and mid-level management staff, technical advisors, and researchers from governments, NGOs or other nonprofits, international humanitarian organizations, foundations, or the private sector. Ideally, participants will also have the capacity to generate organizational 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 randomized 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 randomized 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 randomized evaluation in view of generating actionable insights for future strategic and programming decisions
  • Able to address the challenges of evaluating humanitarian interventions with a focus on protection outcomes

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 randomized evaluation.

These lectures will discuss the basic concepts of randomized evaluations and their applications to generate rigorous evidence to guide humanitarian programs. 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 peer

Tentative Schedule

 

March 11 March 12 March 13 March 14 
Opening and introductions Lecture: Randomized evaluations in humanitarian settings: ethical considerations Lecture: Highlights from existing evidence Lecture: Challenges specific to the humanitarian setting
Lecture: Why randomize? Lecture: How to randomize? Office hours Workshop: Designing a randomized evaluation 
Discussion: Questions and expectations going forward Randomized evaluations in humanitarian settings: insights from practitioners Lecture: Threats and analysis Closing: Outlook and next steps

 

Key Information 

How to apply: Apply by submitting this application form by 2 February, 2024. As places are limited and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Admissions criteria: Although we have no fixed requirements, selection for admission is based on applicants’ organizational responsibilities and organizations’ alignment with J-PAL’s goals to generate and use evidence to inform humanitarian programs.

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

Fees: This course is offered with the generous support by UK International Development from the UK government and free of charge.

Partners: Innovation for Poverty Action