Training on Randomized Impact Evaluations for Humanitarian Professionals
Partners:
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.