Humanitarian Performance Project

1. Humanitarian Performance Project ALNAP Biannual Meeting Madrid, 5th June

2. Presentation structure: Some background and 4 questions • Based on the mapping and initial findings, is there a clear need and justification for a “mechanism” for assessing overall system-wide performance? • How might such a “mechanism” utilise and add value to existing mechanisms? • How would such a “mechanism” be used by different stakeholders in the sector, and what benefits would it yield? • What form should the HPP take? • “Mechanism” has yet to be defined. It could be a platform, a change process, a series of interlinked mechanisms or a coalition of interest groups. Full members will guide the way “mechanism” is defined. 23rd ALNAP Biannual Meeting, June 2008

3. Some background • Extensive document search • Face-to-face and phone interviews with 45 individuals • Email correspondence with another 30 individuals • Draft Inventory of 34 projects, initiatives and approaches relevant to performance assessment • Preliminary ‘mapping’ of the entries in the draft inventory • The draft inventory and the ‘maps’ need to be checked and verified by the projects and would justify further analysis/’mapping’ 23rd ALNAP Biannual Meeting, June 2008

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7. Based on the mapping and initial findings, is there a clear need and justification for a “mechanism” for assessing overall system-wide performance? • On the basis of my interviews and discussions (conducted before the preliminary mapping work was undertaken) – Yes, there is widespread interest in and general support for work that would lead to overall, system-wide performance assessment • The preliminary mapping reveals: • The majority of current data gathering efforts are focused on initial needs assessments and assessments during operations. There is a deficit in information that will enable system-wide performance assessment • Comparatively limited attention is currently being given to analysing processesof aid delivery, coordination or assessing outcomes • Very limited attention or effort is currently being given to seeking the views of the affected population and recipients of assistance. • There seems to be both need and justification for a “mechanism” that advocates for, and supports efforts to, fill the deficit 23rd ALNAP Biannual Meeting, June 2008

8. How might such a “mechanism” utilise and add value to existing mechanisms? • Many of the building blocks are in place – SMART, HNTS, FSAU-IPC, OCHA ACE, CRED’s EM-DAT and CE-DAT, Sphere Standards, Beneficiary Perception Surveys, The Listening Project, etc. • What is lacking is: • Adequate orientation of effort towards overall performance assessment • A vision of what an overall performance assessment/”mechanism” would look like and the various elements that should comprise it • A sense of how this might be achieved collectively and fairly • DFID’s difficult experience with its 2005 Benchmarking Initiative shows the need for approaches that are collective and inclusive • An ALNAP project (HPP) could provide the “vehicle for the journey” • It wouldn’t replace or duplicate any existing mechanisms. It would work collaboratively but focused on delivering overall, system-wide performance assessments on a regular basis 23rd ALNAP Biannual Meeting, June 2008

9. How would such a “mechanism” be used by different stakeholders in the sector and what benefits would it yield? • The process of developing the mechanism would provide those that want such a “mechanism” with a means of achieving it • Once the “mechanism” is functioning, the humanitarian system will have a more objective basis for: • Describing and quantifying its overall achievements • Revealing areas that are working well and areas that can be improved • Clarifying what is within its control and for which it is responsible and what is beyond its control and others are responsible for • The following benefits could be anticipated: • More willing support from public and private funding sources • Greater self-knowledge and sense of identity • Provide the humanitarian system with an overall performance assessment framework that would help ‘locate’ the various accountability, quality, evaluation and performance ‘tools’ and highlight any gaps remaining if a comprehensive framework is to be achieved 23rd ALNAP Biannual Meeting, June 2008

10. What form should the HPP take? • This is for Full Members to determine. • If Advocacy and Support are accepted as appropriate roles then how should the balance between the two be determined? • It may be helpful to approach this in terms of the following dimensions: • Inclusive or Exclusive? (degree of inclusion of wider groups and networks beyond ALNAP) • Operational or Non-operational (degree of involvement in pilots/work at the field level) • Policy or Practice (balance between the thinking/analysis and the doing/practical action) 23rd ALNAP Biannual Meeting, June 2008

11. Breakout Groups • 5 breakout groups • Appoint a chair and a rapporteur • Consider each of the questions • Based on the mapping and initial findings, is there a clear need and justification for a “mechanism” for assessing overall system-wide performance? • How might such a “mechanism” utilise and add value to existing mechanisms? • How would such a “mechanism” be used by different stakeholders in the sector, and what benefits would it yield? • What form should the HPP take? Be ready to report back in plenary by ….am 23rd ALNAP Biannual Meeting, June 2008