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Resilience Analysis - Understanding a complex and unpredictable environment is difficult. Bringing together many streams of data and creating an integrated analysis is essential for making the right response decision and building resilience among people hit by natural disasters and wars. The Rivanna team worked with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Children's Agency (UNICEF) to create a new resilience common analysis framework for planning in challenging contexts.
Please feel free to read and use the resulting guidance to help support your work on these challenging and dynamic contexts. |
Information and Data Design - Humanitarian organizations are data and information entities at their core. There is an emerging awareness in the humanitarian aid community that data and information form the backbone of an effective response. Rivanna Strategy's expertise in data issues is demonstrated below:
Go Platform Design (2017) - Rivanna Strategy supported the consultation and design of the IFRC Go Platform. IFRC Go aims to make all disaster information universally accessible and useful to IFRC responders for better decision making. The project included a global design consultation process and provided a new way for the global Red Cross movement to connect and share data for an integrated response. Watch a video about the platform here.
Data Lab Dakar (2015-2016) - Rivanna Strategy supported the creation of a second Humanitarian Data Exchange lab in Dakar, Senegal to be completed in 2016. The lab will focus on epidemiological data stemming from the Ebola outbreak and delve into regional resilience issues.
Data Lab Nairobi (2014-2015) - Rivanna Strategy supported the design and stand-up of a Data Lab for the Humanitarian Data Exchange in Nairobi, Kenya. We established the lab strategy, managed the recruitment process and provided support to the team as it integrated in the local data context and began to build community around data sharing in the region. In an initial effort to assess available data, the Nairobi Data Lab explored East Africa's Data Deficit.
Multi channel platform design (2013 - Present) - Its never about the 'app'. Multi-channel digital data collection increases speed, accuracy and improves the quality of the response by making real time analytics possible. We are always looking for opportunities to include multi-channel information input that includes mobile technology into existing projects to support innovation and positive change in the field.
Humanitarian Information Center Design (2012) - A key Rivanna Strategy consultant was part of a team that created a concept to redesign and relaunch the Humanitarian Information Center (HIC) to provide additional resources, accountability and coordination in humanitarian response environments. The revised system delivers analytical information products for decision makers, and includes core elements such as needs assessment support for the inter-agency assessment process (MIRA), database development, mapping, and coordination tools. The HIC 2.0 concept also includes a new set of functions to meet today’s rapidly changing information environment. These advances will include use elements such as social media, info graphic design and a common workspace to encourage collaboration among information professionals across organisations. The revised HIC concept is modular to allow light footprint deployment to small emergencies, while also delivering a full suite of enhanced services for major disasters.
Go Platform Design (2017) - Rivanna Strategy supported the consultation and design of the IFRC Go Platform. IFRC Go aims to make all disaster information universally accessible and useful to IFRC responders for better decision making. The project included a global design consultation process and provided a new way for the global Red Cross movement to connect and share data for an integrated response. Watch a video about the platform here.
Data Lab Dakar (2015-2016) - Rivanna Strategy supported the creation of a second Humanitarian Data Exchange lab in Dakar, Senegal to be completed in 2016. The lab will focus on epidemiological data stemming from the Ebola outbreak and delve into regional resilience issues.
Data Lab Nairobi (2014-2015) - Rivanna Strategy supported the design and stand-up of a Data Lab for the Humanitarian Data Exchange in Nairobi, Kenya. We established the lab strategy, managed the recruitment process and provided support to the team as it integrated in the local data context and began to build community around data sharing in the region. In an initial effort to assess available data, the Nairobi Data Lab explored East Africa's Data Deficit.
Multi channel platform design (2013 - Present) - Its never about the 'app'. Multi-channel digital data collection increases speed, accuracy and improves the quality of the response by making real time analytics possible. We are always looking for opportunities to include multi-channel information input that includes mobile technology into existing projects to support innovation and positive change in the field.
Humanitarian Information Center Design (2012) - A key Rivanna Strategy consultant was part of a team that created a concept to redesign and relaunch the Humanitarian Information Center (HIC) to provide additional resources, accountability and coordination in humanitarian response environments. The revised system delivers analytical information products for decision makers, and includes core elements such as needs assessment support for the inter-agency assessment process (MIRA), database development, mapping, and coordination tools. The HIC 2.0 concept also includes a new set of functions to meet today’s rapidly changing information environment. These advances will include use elements such as social media, info graphic design and a common workspace to encourage collaboration among information professionals across organisations. The revised HIC concept is modular to allow light footprint deployment to small emergencies, while also delivering a full suite of enhanced services for major disasters.
Humanitarian Risk Management - We believe in risk informed programing for humanitarian response operations. Risk management means taking into account a full spectrum of hazard, vulnerability and capacity to design the best possible response strategy. Risk management means breaking down the barriers between humanitarian, development and disaster risk management thinking to create integrated, forward leaning solutions. Risk management is an essential prerequisite for resilience thinking. Specific risk management activities include:
Index for Risk Management: INFORM Niger (2018) - The INFORM Niger model brings together a wide range of risk data. Niger faces complex risks from desertification, displacement and security issues. Interagency and governmental partners will use the model to plan for humanitarian, development and governance programing.
Index for Risk Management Central Asia and Caucasus (2016) - This model combines datasets to create a picture of risk to support decision making around disaster risk management and reduction activities in Central Asia and the Caucasus.
Index for Risk Management: INFORM Sahel (2014) - The Index for Risk Management is a global, open source risk assessment tool for humanitarian crisis. The methodology balances hazard, vulnerability and coping capacity in a quantitative model providing risk scores and tracking for better planning and resource allocation. Rivanna Strategy collaborated with scientists from the European Union's Joint Research Center and other partners to adapt the global methodology to Africa's Sahel Region to better understand humanitarian risk across this complex and dynamic context.
Index for Risk Management: INFORM Lebanon (2015) - The Index for Risk Management (INFORM) is a global, open source risk assessment tool for humanitarian crisis. The methodology balances hazard, vulnerability and coping capacity in a quantitative model providing risk scores and tracking for better planning and resource allocation. Rivanna Strategy consultants collaborated with scientists from the European Union's Joint Research Center and other partners to adapt the global methodology to the Lebanon context as a wide-spectrum tool for mapping and managing Lebanon's many challenges.
INFORM Regional National Guidance (2015) - Rivanna Strategy is working with inter agency partners to build and publish technical guidelines for humanitarian organizations and governments to build regional and national INFORM models to better understand and manage risk. INFORM partners released the guidance at the November 2015 INFORM partner meeting in Geneva, and it was updated for the release of the Subnational Training in 2019
Index for Risk Management: INFORM Niger (2018) - The INFORM Niger model brings together a wide range of risk data. Niger faces complex risks from desertification, displacement and security issues. Interagency and governmental partners will use the model to plan for humanitarian, development and governance programing.
Index for Risk Management Central Asia and Caucasus (2016) - This model combines datasets to create a picture of risk to support decision making around disaster risk management and reduction activities in Central Asia and the Caucasus.
Index for Risk Management: INFORM Sahel (2014) - The Index for Risk Management is a global, open source risk assessment tool for humanitarian crisis. The methodology balances hazard, vulnerability and coping capacity in a quantitative model providing risk scores and tracking for better planning and resource allocation. Rivanna Strategy collaborated with scientists from the European Union's Joint Research Center and other partners to adapt the global methodology to Africa's Sahel Region to better understand humanitarian risk across this complex and dynamic context.
Index for Risk Management: INFORM Lebanon (2015) - The Index for Risk Management (INFORM) is a global, open source risk assessment tool for humanitarian crisis. The methodology balances hazard, vulnerability and coping capacity in a quantitative model providing risk scores and tracking for better planning and resource allocation. Rivanna Strategy consultants collaborated with scientists from the European Union's Joint Research Center and other partners to adapt the global methodology to the Lebanon context as a wide-spectrum tool for mapping and managing Lebanon's many challenges.
INFORM Regional National Guidance (2015) - Rivanna Strategy is working with inter agency partners to build and publish technical guidelines for humanitarian organizations and governments to build regional and national INFORM models to better understand and manage risk. INFORM partners released the guidance at the November 2015 INFORM partner meeting in Geneva, and it was updated for the release of the Subnational Training in 2019
Humanitarian Operations - Rivanna Strategy consultants have deployed across the globe in support of humanitarian action. We believe in informed, strategic and direct operations to assist people affected by crisis. We work with governments, corporation and organizations to support humanitarian principles and deliver assistance where people are most at risk.
Consulting Project Location List:
Burkina Faso, Burundi, Chad, Central African Republic, Costa Rica, Egypt, Finland, Haiti, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lebanon, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Niger, Pakistan, Philippines, Senegal, South Sudan, Switzerland, Tajikistan, United Kingdom, United States of America, Yemen.
Long Term Deployment Location List:
Sudan, Indonesia, Liberia, Nepal, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Uganda, Switzerland, United States of America.
Consulting Project Location List:
Burkina Faso, Burundi, Chad, Central African Republic, Costa Rica, Egypt, Finland, Haiti, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lebanon, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Niger, Pakistan, Philippines, Senegal, South Sudan, Switzerland, Tajikistan, United Kingdom, United States of America, Yemen.
Long Term Deployment Location List:
Sudan, Indonesia, Liberia, Nepal, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Uganda, Switzerland, United States of America.
Research and Policy - In addition to a foundational research component to all projects, Rivanna Strategy consultants have delivered the following research and policy design projects:
Monitoring system for Enhancing school-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Monitoring Capacity in Uzbekistan (UNICEF Tajikistan 2017) - The Rivanna team partnered with UNICEF to support the Ministry of Education in revising emergency preparedness plan guidelines and developing a system for the government to monitor development and implementation of the plans, followed by training on the guidelines and the system.
Resilience Practice Review (Oxfam Tajikistan 2014) - Designed and produced an internal policy paper on resilience thinking in Tajikistan. The paper focuses on local perceptions of resilience and provides recommendations for Oxfam on how to adopt a resilience approach for Tajikistan.
Right to Food Context Analysis (DanChurchAid Kyrgyzstan 2013) - Lead a team of consultants and client staff members to create and deliver a context analysis to inform future right to food programing in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The internal report provided the foundation for successful right to food programing in the region.
Monitoring system for Enhancing school-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Monitoring Capacity in Uzbekistan (UNICEF Tajikistan 2017) - The Rivanna team partnered with UNICEF to support the Ministry of Education in revising emergency preparedness plan guidelines and developing a system for the government to monitor development and implementation of the plans, followed by training on the guidelines and the system.
Resilience Practice Review (Oxfam Tajikistan 2014) - Designed and produced an internal policy paper on resilience thinking in Tajikistan. The paper focuses on local perceptions of resilience and provides recommendations for Oxfam on how to adopt a resilience approach for Tajikistan.
Right to Food Context Analysis (DanChurchAid Kyrgyzstan 2013) - Lead a team of consultants and client staff members to create and deliver a context analysis to inform future right to food programing in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The internal report provided the foundation for successful right to food programing in the region.
Strategic Evaluation - Our team members have supported major strategic evaluations for operational humanitarian organizations based globally. We employ a strategic, utilization-focused evaluation approach that works with clients to create specific change plans that evolve from the evaluative process.
Strategic Information Review (2015) - Spanning the evaluation and data domains, Rivanna Strategy worked with a team to conduct a review of data and information structures for a leading international humanitarian organization. This internal report provided an overview of the current data structure and elaborated a user-centered design framework for updating the operational humanitarian database system.
UNICEF Cluster Lead Agency Role Evaluation (2013) - One of Rivanna Strategy's key consultants was part of an Avenir Analytics team that delivered this strategic evaluation. The objective of the evaluation was to assess, as systematically and objectively as possible, the performance of UNICEF as a Cluster Lead Agency at global and country levels. The evaluation followed a rigorous methodology to collect and analyze data. Questions were designed to assess criteria related to relevance and appropriateness, effectiveness, efficiency, coherence, coverage and sustainability. Eight country case studies were selected to cover a diversity of capacity levels and operating contexts including: Burkina Faso, El Salvador, Haiti, Nepal, the Philippines, South Sudan, the State of Palestine and Tajikistan. The findings and recommendations seek to enhance learning by drawing lessons, identifying opportunities and providing information for UNICEF to improve its capacities, systems and approaches for exercising its CLA role at the country and global levels.
Global Logistics Cluster Joint Strategic Evaluation - As part of a team assembled by the Konterra Group, a key Rivanna Strategy consultant supported a review of the Global Logistics Cluster. The evaluation assessed the effectiveness, efficiency, utilization, results and satisfaction of Logistic Cluster products, services and activities at the global and country levels. The evaluation found that under WFP's effective leadership, the cluster strengthened partnerships and increased coordination in humanitarian leadership. Download the full report here.
Strategic Information Review (2015) - Spanning the evaluation and data domains, Rivanna Strategy worked with a team to conduct a review of data and information structures for a leading international humanitarian organization. This internal report provided an overview of the current data structure and elaborated a user-centered design framework for updating the operational humanitarian database system.
UNICEF Cluster Lead Agency Role Evaluation (2013) - One of Rivanna Strategy's key consultants was part of an Avenir Analytics team that delivered this strategic evaluation. The objective of the evaluation was to assess, as systematically and objectively as possible, the performance of UNICEF as a Cluster Lead Agency at global and country levels. The evaluation followed a rigorous methodology to collect and analyze data. Questions were designed to assess criteria related to relevance and appropriateness, effectiveness, efficiency, coherence, coverage and sustainability. Eight country case studies were selected to cover a diversity of capacity levels and operating contexts including: Burkina Faso, El Salvador, Haiti, Nepal, the Philippines, South Sudan, the State of Palestine and Tajikistan. The findings and recommendations seek to enhance learning by drawing lessons, identifying opportunities and providing information for UNICEF to improve its capacities, systems and approaches for exercising its CLA role at the country and global levels.
Global Logistics Cluster Joint Strategic Evaluation - As part of a team assembled by the Konterra Group, a key Rivanna Strategy consultant supported a review of the Global Logistics Cluster. The evaluation assessed the effectiveness, efficiency, utilization, results and satisfaction of Logistic Cluster products, services and activities at the global and country levels. The evaluation found that under WFP's effective leadership, the cluster strengthened partnerships and increased coordination in humanitarian leadership. Download the full report here.
Integrated Training - Teaching others how to design and manage information, create strategy and deploy for humanitarian action is core to Rivanna Strategy's mission. Creating better responders means a more efficient, effective response operation with more lives and livelihoods saved over time. We create in-person training simulations as well as distance learning packages.
The Rivanna team and individuals who make up the team working with other groups have delivered the following training initiatives to humanitarian partners:
INFORM Training (2019) - Rivanna Strategy consultants working with the INFORM team have recently released a set of online videos to help humanitarian professionals learn how to build a risk index that supports decisions for disaster response, preparedness, and development programing. We use a ‘visual podcast’ approach to cover the essential elements of the INFORM coordination and technical process.
Humanitarian Security Training (2017) - United States International Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance.
IFRC Team Leader Training (2012) - Supported the delivery of the IFRC Team Leader training course focusing on leadership, coordination, information management, and program delivery.
Humanitarian Data Training (2011) - Designed and delivered of training workshops on information management in the context of humanitarian reform and the transformative agenda to support outreach activities.
American Red Cross Training (2009) - As a consultant for Global Emergency Group, Mark Slezak developed training material and field based simulation exercises for American Red Cross (ARC) Emergency Response Unit (ERU) training delivered in Port au Prince Haiti focusing on information management, beneficiary targeting, relief & shelter coordination, and response monitoring.
WFP Technical Logistics Training Material Development (2011) - As a consultant for Global Emergency Group, Mark Slezak led and managed a multi-stage revision of WFP’s technical training material coordinating the development of seven distinct technical training programs harmonized across a common strategic approach. Managed complex stakeholder interests to forge consensus, producing an integrated training system that positively impacts humanitarian coordination and service delivery at the field level.
WFP Service Mindset Training (2009) - Members of the Rivanna team supported the development of a Service Mindset Training. Logisticians who complete the Service Mindset Training (SMT) will learn to be more customer oriented and attentive to the needs of those requesting the service contributing to improve the overall efficiency of the operation. The SMT provides humanitarian logisticians with a realistic approach to customer service principles and on how these can be applied in Logistics Cluster operations.
The Rivanna team and individuals who make up the team working with other groups have delivered the following training initiatives to humanitarian partners:
INFORM Training (2019) - Rivanna Strategy consultants working with the INFORM team have recently released a set of online videos to help humanitarian professionals learn how to build a risk index that supports decisions for disaster response, preparedness, and development programing. We use a ‘visual podcast’ approach to cover the essential elements of the INFORM coordination and technical process.
Humanitarian Security Training (2017) - United States International Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance.
IFRC Team Leader Training (2012) - Supported the delivery of the IFRC Team Leader training course focusing on leadership, coordination, information management, and program delivery.
Humanitarian Data Training (2011) - Designed and delivered of training workshops on information management in the context of humanitarian reform and the transformative agenda to support outreach activities.
American Red Cross Training (2009) - As a consultant for Global Emergency Group, Mark Slezak developed training material and field based simulation exercises for American Red Cross (ARC) Emergency Response Unit (ERU) training delivered in Port au Prince Haiti focusing on information management, beneficiary targeting, relief & shelter coordination, and response monitoring.
WFP Technical Logistics Training Material Development (2011) - As a consultant for Global Emergency Group, Mark Slezak led and managed a multi-stage revision of WFP’s technical training material coordinating the development of seven distinct technical training programs harmonized across a common strategic approach. Managed complex stakeholder interests to forge consensus, producing an integrated training system that positively impacts humanitarian coordination and service delivery at the field level.
WFP Service Mindset Training (2009) - Members of the Rivanna team supported the development of a Service Mindset Training. Logisticians who complete the Service Mindset Training (SMT) will learn to be more customer oriented and attentive to the needs of those requesting the service contributing to improve the overall efficiency of the operation. The SMT provides humanitarian logisticians with a realistic approach to customer service principles and on how these can be applied in Logistics Cluster operations.
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