Joint Needs Assessment (JNA)

Regional Level Operational Training: Khulna

Needs Assessment Working Group (NAWG)

Khulna, 16-18 September, 2019

Summary Report

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Background As consensus with Government of Bangladesh and agreed by

HCTT all assessments in the initial days and weeks of a disaster,

there should be coordinated and joint assessment/s to make sure

participation of all stakeholders and ownership of the results.

Humanitarian stakeholders in the country developed the Joint

Needs Assessment (JNA) tools, methodologies, processes

following and contextualizing the MIRA best practices. For

successfully conducting the Rapid Needs Assessment of any

disasters in Bangladesh, a Needs Assessment Working Group

(NAWG) has been established with the participation of all

humanitarian stakeholders in Bangladesh under the Humanitarian

Coordination Task Team (HCTT) to support GoB’s efforts and, to

ensure complementarity. The NAWG is being co-chaired by

Department of Disaster Management (DDM) and CARE,

Bangladesh. NAWG secretariat is based in CARE with the support

of DFID and UNOPS under Supporting Bangladesh Rapid Needs

Assessment (SUBARNA) project.

Regional level Training, Khulna: Needs Assessment Working Group (NAWG) under Humanitarian Coordination Task Team (HCTT) which is co-chaired by Department of Disaster Management (DDM), GoB and CARE Bangladesh had organized the training session on Joint Needs Assessment (JNA) in south-west coastal region of Bangladesh under SUBARNA (Supporting Bangladesh Rapid Needs Assessment) project, CARE Bangladesh. Being in the most disaster prone zone makes Khulna one of our target areas for providing JNA training with. It also has a unique feature regarding disaster risk reduction preparedness because of the numerous disasters it faced over the years. Key operational humanitarian agents were trained on coordination and assessment methodologies. Total five district (Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Narail, Jashore) from south western areas was covered by this training. Khulna level Operational Training took place from 16-18 September, 2019 in Hotel Castle Salam, Khulna.

Participants and Facilitators With the spirit of Needs Assessment Working Group, multi-stakeholder

approach was ensured in the training. Participants were selected by NWAG

member organizations, who committed to work as NAWG focal and conduct

JNA after trigger ranges from Government to Local NGOs, UN agencies and

cluster representatives to INGOs, and national NGOs working in the coastal belt

of Bangladesh.

Md. Anisur Rahman, Director (M&E), DDM, Syed Ashraf ul Islam (Media &

Communication Specialist) DDM, Azizul Hoque Joarder (DRRO, Khulna) &

Kaiser Rejve (Director, Care BD) have delivered their speech and graced us in

the inauguration session of the training.Participant’s selection criteria were

well articulated to NAWG members:

Preferably female person. Working in a Government (DRROs, PIOs), NGO, INGO, UN at district level office. Working on and related to Information Management/ Monitoring/ Value Assessment Having humanitarian and emergency experiences as well as commitment.Having coordination experiences with

government and other NGOs and INGOs. Skilled in different participatory methods of data collection, validation at community level. Committed to dedicate time during/after disasters. Willing to roll out JNA data collection/validation procedures at upazila level. Proficient user of email and android apps.

Training Objectives Let the participants understand the

process, protocols of Joints Needs Assessment in Bangladesh with the lessons learnt in the journey in Bangladesh

Develop a core group of stakeholder agencies and organizations with the commitment and capacity to actively participate and lead a coordinated assessment.

Establish a core group of individuals (with the commitment of their employers) to be the national JNA training team for the district level trainings.

Expose participants to work with secondary data and information.

Strengthen capacity to coordinate, negotiate and validate assessments.

Increase the understanding and ability of participants to connect with multi-sector analysis.

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Training Methodology and Materials: The training was thematically divided into three major segments: Overview, Implementation & Theory. Initially an overview

of the humanitarian architecture, Needs Assessments and its relationship with the participants were provided. Once it was

established that the participant was an important piece of JNA, trainer went in depth with the Needs assessment formats.

To train on Needs Assessment tools three

approaches were taken: Overview on the

particular tool, simulation and then founding

the concept with theory. Sessions were highly

equipped with slideshows, hands on technical

training and quizzed to check on the

understanding of the participants. They were

routinely asked to conduct role-play,

presentations and for feedback. The whole

training was conducted surrounding the

concept of simulation and that seem to benefit

participants to build a profound

understanding.

Training Content: Major Areas

One of the biggest value addition of this training is including technology and simulating participants on how to gather real

time emergency data using KOBO Toolbox. Trainees not only got familiar with how to use this platform (e-questionnaire)

and provide data on time, but also how to deal with the negotiation, coordination and validation in time essential

emergency.

Conducting simulation helped all the participants realize their situation and improvement points that can be applied in real

life. For example, maintaining coordination in asking questions in conducting Phase II JNA, knowing the difference between

loss and need, understanding the context of need in terms of timing of the JNA, understanding field reality and not being

judgemental or providing advices to affected community were some of them.

Experimenting with 3 days long simulation along with its theoretical background was a first time of its kind and was

seemingly successful. Attendance of multi-layered stakeholders was a cherry on top of it.

JNA and its Stakeholders

DM policies and GoB (DDM)

Using KoBo Toolbox field level

data collection

JNA Phase 1, 2 and 72 hours

assessment: Closer look

Data

Primary and Secondary

Output from each simulation

Joint Analysis Report writing & present

Simulation:

for all the JNA tools from Upazila level

Coordination, Negotiation & Validation Mechanism

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Participant’s Feedbacks and Commitments

To ensure continuous learning, improvement and growth feedback was collected from participants using

Mentimeter and the google form. Mentimeter helped gather the instant and anonymous feedback on what they

learnt and how they felt about the training. The outcome was satisfactory. Before starting the sessions, we also

accepted expectations from the participants and at the end of the training, we reviewed them to see how much

we have lived up to their expectation; and it turned out, NAWG did it well!

One Word from participants

What we learnt and how we feel about the training

On the other hand, a more detail feedback form was sent to the participants from whom the following outcome came:

Average21%

Better than

Average36%

Most Relevant

43%

How relevant and useful do you think the training was for your job?

Okay8%

Average17%

Better than Average

50%

It was amazing!

25%

From 1 to 5 on an average what do you think about the training materials?

I absolutely hated it!

0%

Okay8%

Average17%

Better than

Average8%

It was amazing!

67%

From 1 to 5 on an average what do you think about the training Facilitation?

Committed

33%Fully

Committed

67%

Commitment to contribute to JNA when conducted

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Recurring Areas of Improvement from participants included the following:

More Inter-cluster coordination and scenario specific examples needed

More practical simulation is required to understand the whole process

More time needed to complete the simulation thoroughly

Lecture method and medium of instruction could have been better on the theoretical part.

Room for improvement in logistics

Need more resource person and high profile facilitators

More real life stories should be included in content

Internet connection disruption should be taken seriously

All participants can be residential and have group activity in the evening. "

Recommendations and Way Forward

In-depth Simulation: Simulation helped participant understand the process of JNA in depth. However, having

the theory as a guideline as hand out might bring out the higher potential of the simulation. Also doing while

learning is the best method so far, having longer time in simulation with more real life stories is recommended

for JNA training.

Further Communication: Keeping in touch with the trainee and providing refresher training time to time is the

key to keep the human resource ready. A complete database along with a mechanism for routine communication

with the trained resources is a timely demand now. Social media is being used limitedly to keep the

communication, but communication should be more often.

Secondary pre-crisis database: A multi-dimensional, accessible pre-crisis database is foundation to accurate

Rapid Need Assessment. There are many authentic and credible online portals that provide secondary data. The

practice of layering them up and utilizing them for prompt analysis should be scaled up between JNA

stakeholders. As NAWG is hosting a common platform for all updated tools, reports and JNA human resources,

the secondary database should also be accessible.

Overall readiness of participating in real time JNA: With the training participants become more confident and

becoming a ready resource for conducting JNA at any given emergency. One of the main objectives of the

training was to introduce more humanitarian professional with the expertise of conducting JNA and having

their commitment for serving the humanity in distress. To ensure that those trained would be available to

coordinate assessments, NAWG will maintain a database of the pool and keep routine contact with all relevant

agencies.

Collaboration with Government at all levels: In the Khulna Regional training a unique collaboration with HCTT

clusters were made and that helped increase the spill over effect of the training. More collaboration and farther

planning will be highly effective for bringing the counterparts on board and keeping the network of the

Humanitarian stakeholders’ strong thus better preparedness in Bangladesh. For a more effective need

assessment coordination with local level government stakeholder should come forward with high stake and

ownership and prioritise conducting JNA for ensuring transparency and measurable impact in emergency.

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Conclusion:

From the evaluation of the training survey, NAWG summarises that the combination of Government and non-

government representatives and different level of expertise made the training more interactive and useful for

participants. In the end participants were more engaged, felt highly committed about the policy and process of

JNA. It was apparent how the regional Training on Joint Needs Assessment was leaving its footprints towards

strengthening evidence based response and better disaster management in Bangladesh.

Annex: Participant List Sl Name Organization Designation Email Mobile Number

1. Hubert Sony Ratna ADRA Bangladesh Project Manager hubertsony3@gmail.com 01712041578

2. Banasree Bhandery Ashroy Foundation Head of DRM ashroy.foundation@gmail.com;

ashroy.foundationhrd@gmail.com

1715645011

3. Md. Lutfor Rohman Ashroy Foundation SMRO Lutfor.kln@gmail.com 01712008450

4. G. M. Moinul Islam BRAC Field Coordinator moinul.i@brac.net 01713911306

5. Md. Alamgir Hossain CARE Bangladesh Office Manager alamgir.hossain@care.org 01817517086

6. Bhaboranjan Poul CARE Bangladesh WASH Officer BhaboRanjan.Paul@care.org

7. Anjan Kundu GoB PIO Anjankundu81@gmail.com 01716495832

8. Imrul Kayes GoB PIO Pioterokhada2017@gmail.com 1717916798

9. Ishtiak Ahmed GoB PIO Engr.istiakahmed90@gmail.com 1716289270

10. Laltu Mia GoB PIO laltupio@gmail.com 1933922433

11. Md Shahinul Islam GoB PIO shahinpio@gmail.com 1719650530

12. Md. Jafar Rana GoB PIO jafarranapio@gmail.com 1717155362

13. Md. Mafijur Rahman GoB PIO Sozol_rahman@yahoo.com 1712649236

14. Md. Mahfujur Rahman GoB PIO mahfuzpio@gmail..com 1743372396

15. Md. Miraj Hossain Khan GoB PIO Eng.mirajhossain@gmail.com 1719124153

16. S M A Karim GoB PIO Smakarim4@gmail.com 1734747083

17. Sharif MD Rubel GoB PIO 1711467155

18. Sohag Ghosh GoB PIO sgkpi.2004@gmail.com 1722310333

19. Syed Md. Ajim Uddin GoB PIO Sazimuddin77@gmail.com 1716834521

20. Khan Mohammed Abul Musa Islamic Relief Bangladesh Assistant Project Officer khan.musa@islamicrelief-bd.org 01777773870

21. Tahsin Aziz Islamic Relief Bangladesh Project Officer tahsin.aziz@islamicrelief-bd.org 01777773888

22. Mohon Lal Ghosh Jagorani Chakra Foundatiom Upazila Specialist bna.jcfrupsha@gmail.com 01712180981

23. Md. Shajahan Kabir Jagorani Chakra Foundation Finance Admin Manager shajahan.jcf@gmail.com 01712030567

24. Sultana Razia Jagorani Chakra Foundation Senior Manager Training trainingjcf@gmail.com 01774816848

25. Pallab Roy Nabolok Project Manager nabolok@nabolokbd.org 01716779250

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26. Mohammad Abdullah

Sayeed

Prodipan Project Coordinator pc.icccca@prodipan-bd.org 01712991352

27. Md. Momtaz Ali RIGHTS JESSORE M&E Officer rightsjessore@yahoo.com 01913105935

28. Farah-Bi-Tabassum Rupantar Monitoring & Documentation Officer ananna@rupantar.org 01763568402

29. Shariful Bashar Rupantar APC epeca@rupantar.org 01733224827

30. Md. Waliullah SHEBA MANAB KALLYAN

KENDRA

Program Coordinator waliullah@smkk.org 01762692151

31. Ms. Sufia Akhter, UNICEF Programme Officer(Emergency) sakhter@unicef.org

32. Md. Shahinur Islam United Purpose Project Officer shahinur.islam@united-purpose.org 01712562499

33. Jobayer Hossain Unnayan Assistant Administrative Officer

34. John Taposh Mondal World Food Programme (WFP) Admin./Finance Associate john.taposh@wfp.org 1711831624

35. Malaya Kanti Biswas World Vision Bangladesh Regional Technical Program

coordinator - Livelihoods

MalayaK_Biswas@wvi.org 01730728355

36. Surabhee Biswas World Vision Bangladesh Regional Advocacy and Child

Protection Coordinator

surabhee_biswas@wvi.org 01730021538

37. Himadree Shekhar Mondal AOSED Team Leader, CC and DM cell himadreeaosed@gmail.com 01751251766

List of Facilitators

Name Designation District Organization e-mail Address

Md. Anisur Rahman Director, M&E Dhaka DDM, MoDMR, GoB rohmananisur@yahoo.com

Syed Ashraf ul Islam Media & Communication Specialist Dhaka DDM, MoDMR, GoB islamasyed@hotmail.com

Azizul Hoque Joarder DRRO Khulna DDM, MoDMR, GoB drrokhulna@ddm.gov.bd

Kaiser Rejve Director, Humanitarian & Resilience Dhaka CARE Bangladesh Kaiser.Rejve@care.org

Jafar Iqbal

Program Manager, Emergency Response (SUBARNA)

Dhaka CARE Bangladesh jafar.iqbal@care.org

Apurba Swatee Mahboob Technical Coordinator – IM, Emergency Response (SUBARNA)

Dhaka CARE Bangladesh ApurbaSwatee.Mahboob@care.org