1. AWG Iraq AWG: coordination challenges and opportunities from the field
Iraq Assessment Working Group
Iraq AWG: coordination challenges and opportunities from the field
CAIM Webinar
Wednesday, 9 May, 15h00 – 17h00 Geneva time

2. Coordinating assessments is challenging, but.. It’s rewarding
Intro
Coordinating assessments is challenging, but..
It’s rewarding
It’s stimulating
It’s worthwhile
It’s IMPORTANT (HPC)
It’s NEEDED (ICCG, partners)
Coordinate Assessments in Iraq
Coordinate Assessments
Coordination
Very easy Easy Moderate
Somewhat hard
Hard
Very Hard

3. AWG set-up in Iraq Understand the context:
Country context: read & research, ask & engage in discussions.
Assessment context: read & research, ask & engage in discussions.
Understanding stakeholders motivations and seeking commitments.
Identify assessment focal points / capacity / interest.
Establish/strengthen assessment coordination structure
Set up first meeting - keep it open to IMOs and CCs (as of Jan NGOs membership expanded to include NGOs who were previously represented by NCCI).
Prepare, present, discuss and endorse the Terms of Reference.
Agree on participation, meeting frequency, objectives/focus - partners want predictability, structure, direction. Offer it.
Expect challenges – listen and offer solutions. Work with Clusters and not against them. Try to make their time worthwhile.

4. AWG milestones Sub-national focus (2017) National (2017-2018)
OCT
FEB
APR
JUN
SEP
NOV
JAN
FEB
APR
AWG Roadmap: focus, role and responsibilities
CASS Mission
Set up coord. mechanism
RNA Roll Out
RNA Training
RNA Mosul Coordination
Indicators Database
Tool Matrix
Finalization of RNA v3 Tool and piloting
RNA National Rollout Trainings
ERR Surge
AWG Set-up
AWG TOR
RNA Set Up
Revised TOR and membership
Mini-workplan
Linkages with ICCG, IMWG
RNA Dashboard
AWG Survey (stock-tacking)
RNA Mosul Coordination

5. Assessment areas in which the AWG should be more active
Answered: Skipped: 7
Responsible: ICCG, AWG
[Source: AWG Survey, Q6, Nov. 2017]

6. AWG challenges
Answered: Skipped: 7
1. COORD./PLANNING Assessment initiatives are not mapped out to ensure complementary of data sources. – 44 %
4. ANALAYSIS
There is no agreement on a core set of tools to use for analysis (e.g. agreed questionnaires, methodologies, reporting requirements) – 29%
2. DESIGN
Monitoring information gaps is not possible due to a lack of agreed-upon common set of indicators. – 56 %
5. REPORTING
Needs assessment data is not shared/reported in a timely and systematic manner – 50%
3. DATA COLLECTION
No Secondary Data Review framework is in place to help develop a shared understanding of the situation – 35 %
[Source: AWG Survey, Q7-11, Nov. 2017]

7. Other challenges
In addition to the five issues highlighted in the previous slide, the following have also been raised/identified:
IM resources: lack of capacity, expertise, funding to coordinate needs assessments intra- and inter-cluster. Resources continue to be reduced as the Iraq humanitarian context stabilizes.
Technical capacity: Limited IMOs/staff capacity to help with the data cleaning and the data analysis (e.g. visualize/interpret data; build platforms).
Info-sharing:
subnational clusters and NGOs indicate/demonstrate lack of knowledge on cluster and multi-cluster tools, as well as coordination platforms/websites, (e.g. RASP, HR.Info, AR, etc)
have raised concerns on not receiving updates/info/guidance from national level (includes OCHA, clusters, and their respective country offices)
[Source: AWG Survey, Nov. 2017; feedback from NGO partners and sub-national ICCGs; and observations about partner capacity/knowledge]

8. Capacity
Answered: Skipped: 8
*If not time at all, please explain why assessments are not prioritized within your cluster/organization: “the cluster does not seem to have prioritized needs, gap analysis, or information as the basis for anything.”
[Source: AWG Survey, Nov. 2017]

9. Focus areas and next steps for 2018
Revised TOR
Calendar with assessment-related training opportunities
Facilitate development of common indicators database to inform multi-sector assessments
Map out and evaluate the recurrent assessment tools, frequency of data collection, timeline for analysis, products, and eventually have a set of endorsed AWG tools (joint analysis)
Bi-monthly product with assessment updates (e.g. available datasets, new training opportunities, guidance/info on new tools, update on recent assessments conducted, etc.)
MCNA as a cluster-driven process developed and rolled out within the AWG structure
Support with the HNO process
AWG Meeting Record, Next Steps:
OCHA to circulate the revised AWG TOR with annex of tasks to be completed in 2018 for endorsement.
OCHA and REACH to develop a calendar for assessment-related training opportunities. AWG members to provide input monthly and OCHA/REACH to circulate opportunities on a regular basis with national and sub-national ICCGs, as well as interested partners.
OCHA and REACH, with input from AWG members, to facilitate the development of a common indicators database to support harmonize multi-sectoral assessments.
OCHA and REACH, with input from AWG members, to map out the recurrent assessment tools, frequency of data collection, timeline for analysis, products, etc.
AWG to develop guidance and share updates on a bi-monthly basis to national ICCG, sub-national ICCG and interested partners.
[Source: AWG Meeting Record, 16 Jan. 2018]

10. Linking challenges, opportunities and solutions
CDI – future tools and revision of tools

11. AWG Questions? Alexandra Lazau-Ratz
Iraq Assessment Working Group
Questions?
Alexandra Lazau-Ratz
Humanitarian Affairs Officer | OCHA Iraq
Mob: +964 (0) | | Skype: alexandra.l.ratz