Cover image:  © ALNAP and UNICEF

Course Overview

The Evaluation of Humanitarian Action (EHA) is becoming very relevant to a broad range of aid practitioners and decision-makers. EHA faces many of the same challenges as development evaluation, yet many of these are greatly amplified. Moreover, there are different complications and features unique to evaluating humanitarian action. Based on the ALNAP Pilot Guide on 'Evaluating Humanitarian Action', this e-learning is the first of its kind. This course offers an overview of evaluation practice in humanitarian contexts, and features concrete guidance, tips and insights from experienced practitioners. After successfully finishing all 10 units, participants will receive a certificate of completion

Course Objectives:

At the end of this course, you will be able to demonstrate an understanding of:

1. Introducing EHA
2. Planning for utilisation
3. Evaluation design
4. Inception phase
5. Desk review
6. Engaging affected people
7. Field methods: Evaluation under constraints
8. Real-time evaluations
9. Humanitarian impact evaluations
10. Analysis, outputs, dissemination and take-up

Audience

The e-learning is free and open to all interested evaluators, managers and users of evaluations of humanitarian action. No specific prior knowledge of humanitarian action or evaluation is required. This course may be particularly useful for:

  • Evaluation Managers
  • Evaluation team members
  • Commissioning Agencies
  • Programme or project managers and other staff interested in learning about EHA

Methodology

This course has been developed by ALNAP and UNICEF, in collaboration with EvalParters and UNEG. It expands on the pilot version of the ALNAP EHA guide, incorporating feedback and learning from an 18-month pilot process. The course was also extensively reviewed by ALNAP, UNICEF, various UN Agencies, NGOs, donors, and other practitioners so that we could capture more practical insights from different commissioners and users of evaluation.

Duration

The course is composed of 10 units and it includes lectures (25 minutes on average), readings (40 pages on average) and tests (10 questions). The total length, including readings, is estimated at approximately 15 hours.

Acknowledgements: 

Overall project management: Erica Mattellone, representing UNICEF Evaluation Office; Francesca Bonino and Alexandra Warner, from the ALNAP Secretariat
Unit development and presentation: John Cosgrave and Margie Buchanan-Smith
Course design and communications: Maria Gili and Yael Azgad, ALNAP Secretariat

Contact details

To share your feedback, please email eha@alnap.org