Screen 1 of 27 Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques Deciding on a collaborative assessment LEARNING OBJECTIVES Understand the advantages and disadvantages of conducting joint or collaborative food security assessments. Describe the process for developing a collaborative work plan. Identify networking tools for more effective collaboration

Screen 2 of 27 Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques Deciding on a collaborative assessment INTRODUCTION It is important to learn how to communicate the food security information gathered through assessments. The knowledge sharing and acceptance of food security information can be made easier by deciding on collaborative assessments.

Screen 3 of 27 Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques Deciding on a collaborative assessment The purpose of an assessment is to: INTRODUCTION determine what the situation is; establish what needs exist; and ensure appropriate and timely interventions. This is best done when multiple stakeholders are working together from the outset of a crisis.

Screen 4 of 27 Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques Deciding on a collaborative assessment WHEN COLLABORATIVE ASSESSMENT IS APPROPRIATE Collaborations are most appropriate when a number of organizations and government partners are working together within a geographical area implementing programmes. Tip Use your skills to assess the needs of your stakeholders to determine what type of assessment should be conducted and in collaboration with whom.

Screen 5 of 27 Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques Deciding on a collaborative assessment To decide upon the assessment type and collaboration, the most important thing to consider is what your question is. WHEN COLLABORATIVE ASSESSMENT IS APPROPRIATE FS assessments usually require information relating to the underlying causes of food insecurity. This information can already exist within organizations, and collaborations can be initiated by using existing secondary information, e.g. nutritional surveys.

Screen 6 of 27 Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques Deciding on a collaborative assessment You may decide to incorporate indicators from the different sectors within your Food Security assessment or conduct a sector specific assessment along-side your food security assessment. Your collaboration and coordination with other organizations will govern whether your dataset will be complete. KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING

Screen 7 of 27 Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques Deciding on a collaborative assessment WHO SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN A COLLABORATIVE ASSESSMENT When deciding on who should be part of a collaborative assessment, the following criteria can be a guide: Technical Dimension These dimensions of potential collaborators are analysed in the next screens. Institutional Dimension Logistical/Security Dimension Social/Geographic Knowledge

Screen 8 of 27 Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques Deciding on a collaborative assessment WHO SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN A COLLABORATIVE ASSESSMENT 1 Institutional Dimension A collaborative assessment should promote a common understanding of a situation among multiple stakeholders. A general list of key stakeholders to participate includes: national government officials; United Nations; NGOs; and specific projects such as FEWSNET.

Screen 9 of 27 Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques Deciding on a collaborative assessment WHO SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN A COLLABORATIVE ASSESSMENT FS assessments are technically complex by nature and require a breadth of technical expertise. agriculture; livestock; food security; health/nutrition; 2 Technical Dimension markets, conflict; gender; natural resources; water and sanitation. Depending on the specific situation to be assessed, the following areas of expertise can ensure technical breadth:

Screen 10 of 27 Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques Deciding on a collaborative assessment WHO SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN A COLLABORATIVE ASSESSMENT 3 Logistical/Security Dimension To ensure a smooth flow it’s necessary to include a logistical and if necessary security person in the management structure as well as on each field assessment team. For UN collaborative assessments in insecure areas, it’s imperative to consult UN Security in the planning process.

Screen 11 of 27 Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques Deciding on a collaborative assessment WHO SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN A COLLABORATIVE ASSESSMENT 4 Social/Geographic Knowledge Collaborative Assessments can be conducted over large geographic areas, with diverse groups of people. In order to ensure strong understanding of the area and local people, it’s beneficial to include in the teams people who have knowledge of the area.

Screen 12 of 27 Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques Deciding on a collaborative assessment WHO SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN A COLLABORATIVE ASSESSMENT Example: Humanitarian Emergency in Southern Somalia However, there are reports of large numbers of IDPs moving out of Mogadishu into the surrounding area due to insecurity. Malnutrition rates are high and incidents of Acute Watery Diarrhea have been reported. Market prices are also rising making it difficult for households to access purchased food and non-food items. Let’s consider the following example... In October 2007 there was a humanitarian emergency in the Shabelle Valley in Somalia (usually a stable food secure area).

Screen 13 of 27 Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques Deciding on a collaborative assessment WHO SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN A COLLABORATIVE ASSESSMENT Considering the humanitarian emergency presented on the previous screen, a possible 5-person team, could involve the following participants... TEAM MEMBERINSTITUTIONTECHNICAL EXPERTISE SecurityUN, NGO or Government Security training & overview of security background Health & nutrition UN (e.g. FAO, WHO UNICEF), NGO or Government Health & nutrition technical capacity Water & sanitation UN (e.g. UNICEF, WHO), NGO or Government Water & sanitation technical capacity Markets Specialized project & government, FSAU (Food Security Analysis Unit) Market knowledge & analysis IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) UN (e.g. UNHCR, WFP) Understanding on people’s movements, living conditions and access to food/non-food needs and social services

Screen 14 of 27 Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques Deciding on a collaborative assessment WHO ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF JOINT ASSESSMENTS Sharing of experience, skills and methodological approaches for food security assessments between partners. Valuable contribution of existing secondary information available within each member of the consortium for all sectors. Consistent production of reliable primary information. Agreement between the organisations on the findings. Opportunities to use a common analytical framework and feed the data into an appropriate food security information system (FSIS). Strengthened credibility of the assessment findings with decision makers and response organisations. ADVANTAGES

Screen 15 of 27 Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques Deciding on a collaborative assessment WHO ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF JOINT ASSESSMENTS The information is not aggregated and can be used by more than one organization for future programming, organizational monitoring and evaluation. Effective use of the information by more audiences with reduced duplication. Improved programme design and impact. Facilitates resource mobilization from different sources in a coordinated manner. Best use of available resources. Collaboration with national government will ensure a buy-in from the main stakeholders that will contribute to sustainable monitoring and project continuation. ADVANTAGES

Screen 16 of 27 Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques Deciding on a collaborative assessment WHO ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF JOINT ASSESSMENTS Difficult to coordinate in terms of timing, availability of skilled assessment team members and resources. A successful collaboration requires commitment from all members. Joint assessments need strong logistical support with clearly defined responsibilities. Difficult to agree on assessment approach/methodology. Difficult to agree on assessment tools and appropriate indicators. Problems in using the information within an common analytical approach. Collaboration endorsement on findings can be an arduous task. Different ideas on how to respond based on the findings. DISADVANTAGES

Screen 17 of 27 Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques Deciding on a collaborative assessment PROCESS FOR DEVELOPING A COLLABORATIVE WORK PLAN Collaboration should occur at all stages of the assessment: design; analysis; and communication of results. Therefore, it is important that when you embark on planning a collaborative assessment, you follow a process of logical planning steps.

Screen 18 of 27 Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques Deciding on a collaborative assessment PROCESS FOR DEVELOPING A COLLABORATIVE WORK PLAN The process for planning a collaborative assessment include eight steps: Agree on the general objectives of the assessment Identify the collaboration of relevant partners Review all secondary information Identify assessment methodologies to be used Identify field tools to collect appropriate indicators Develop a clear TOR for the assessment team members Assemble the assessment team Conduct joint logistical planning

Screen 19 of 27 Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques Deciding on a collaborative assessment PROCESS FOR DEVELOPING A COLLABORATIVE WORK PLAN After the 8 steps process the planning tasks for the assessment should be complete. The assessment teams set out for the field work. When the field work is completed, the information is analysed and cross-checked. Initial All members of the collaboration endorse the findings and any differences of opinion are recorded. A report is written and the information is fed into a food security information system (if available).

Screen 20 of 27 Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques Deciding on a collaborative assessment TECHNIQUES FOR AN EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION Collaboration can occur between actors during the collection and analysis of food security information. Collaborative partnerships should be housed within the government where possible. Tip You should find out about existing collaborative partnerships for food security in your country of operation.

Screen 21 of 27 Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques Deciding on a collaborative assessment TECHNIQUES FOR AN EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION In order to succeed, collaborations need to be based on: agreed methods for information collection; agreed indicators for information collection; and tools to analyse and store information. This depends on the efficiency of : Food Security Analysis Systems (FSAS); and Food Security Information Systems (FSIS).

Screen 22 of 27 Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques Deciding on a collaborative assessment TECHNIQUES FOR AN EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION METHODOLOGIES FOR INFORMATION COLLECTION Different factors determine which methodologies to use: Who is the information for and how it will be used. The type of assessment. The geographical scope of the assessment. How quickly the information is needed and with what frequency. How much information is already available. The approach for data collection and analysis has to be identified and a strong consensus between all partners should be reached. Combinations of methods seem to work best to meet needs.

Screen 23 of 27 Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques Deciding on a collaborative assessment TECHNIQUES FOR AN EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION STANDARDS AND INDICATORS FOR INFORMATION COLLECTION Organizations working together need to have a mutual understanding of ‘minimum standards’ for food security. The Sphere Project outlines these standards. Clear indicators will determine the completeness of the information. Guidelines should be developed during the preparatory stage of the assessment and potential collaboration.

Screen 24 of 27 Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques Deciding on a collaborative assessment TECHNIQUES FOR AN EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION TOOLS TO ANALYSE AND STORE INFORMATION An integrated framework for analysis to represent all methods is a useful networking tool. Improved Food Security Analysis Systems and Food Security Information Systems are the important tools to maintain effective collaboration.

Screen 25 of 27 Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques Deciding on a collaborative assessment Collaboration with implementing agencies/international and local NGOs on ground as well as government will ensure a coordinated assessment with credible findings. When you decide on a collaborative approach for a food security assessment it is important to take into account the advantages and disadvantages implied. Partnerships within humanitarian relief operations are necessary to promote consensus on information, agreement on a coordinated response and ownership. Food security analysis and decision-making should be a shared process with relevant organizations and government through networking tools and working groups. With a shared technical and institutional approach, a comparable and transparent analysis can be accomplished. SUMMARY

Screen 26 of 27 Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques Deciding on a collaborative assessment IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE... Online resources S. Maxwell and T. Frankenberger, “Household Food Security: Concepts, Indicators, and measurements,” IFAD/UNICEF FIVIMS Fifth Meeting of the Inter-agency Working Group, June Inter-Agency collaboration, resource mobilization and constraints ODI/HPN SMART – a collaborative approach to determining humanitarian needs Humanitarian Exchange No.32 Dec ODI/HPN website: Save the Children UK The Household Economy Approach: A resource manual for practitioners SMART Methodology Version 1 April 2006: The Sphere Project Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response 2004 Edition: FSAU Tsunami Interagency Assessment Mission Hafun to Gara’ad Northeast Somali Coastline Feb 2004: UNDAC (disaster assessment and coordination mechanism) UNHCR/WFP Joint Assessment Guidelines (with Tools and Resource Materials) First Edition June 2004 with FSAU-FAO Integrated Food Security and Humanitarian Phase Classification: Technical Manual Version 1 Technical Series Report No.IV 11 May Q68QN?OpenDocumenthttp:// 6Q68QN?OpenDocument UN OCHA Relief Coordination – Coordination of Humanitarian Response & the Interagency Standing Committee:

Screen 27 of 27 Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques Deciding on a collaborative assessment IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE... Additional Reading SADC-FANR VAC Regional Emergency Food Security Assessment Report Harare Sept 2002 SADC-FANR VAC Vulnerability Assessment Methodology Review Synthesis Draft Aug 2005 Tango International: Arizona Shoham. J. Food Security Information Systems Supported by Save the Children UK – A Review