Results-Based Humanitarian Financing Training Course

Introduction

This intensive 5-day training course provides a comprehensive and practical exploration of Results-Based Humanitarian Financing (RBF), an evolving approach that links funding directly to the achievement of pre-agreed and verifiable outcomes in humanitarian responses. As traditional funding mechanisms struggle to meet escalating needs, RBF offers a promising pathway to enhance efficiency, accountability, and impact by incentivizing the delivery of tangible results for affected populations. This program will equip participants with an in-depth understanding of various RBF models, the methodologies for defining and measuring humanitarian outcomes, and the strategic considerations for integrating RBF into humanitarian programming and partnerships.

The course goes beyond the theoretical underpinnings of RBF, delving into the operational challenges and opportunities of its implementation in complex humanitarian settings. Through interactive case studies of RBF applications in crisis contexts, hands-on exercises in developing outcome-based indicators and verification frameworks, and discussions on risk-sharing and innovative financing instruments, attendees will learn to design, implement, and monitor RBF initiatives effectively. Whether you are a humanitarian program manager, a finance officer, a donor representative, an M&E specialist, or a policymaker seeking to maximize aid effectiveness, this program offers an unparalleled opportunity to master the critical aspects of Results-Based Humanitarian Financing and contribute to a more impactful and accountable humanitarian system.

Duration: 5 days

Target Audience:

  • Humanitarian Program Managers and Coordinators
  • Financial Managers and Accountants in Humanitarian NGOs
  • Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialists
  • Donor Representatives and Grant Managers
  • Innovation and Strategy Leads in Humanitarian Organizations
  • Policy Makers and Researchers in Humanitarian Aid
  • Development Professionals transitioning to Humanitarian Contexts
  • Consultants in Aid Effectiveness and Performance-Based Funding

Objectives:

  • To provide a comprehensive understanding of Results-Based Humanitarian Financing (RBF) concepts, principles, and various models.
  • To equip participants with the knowledge to identify and define measurable outcomes for humanitarian interventions.
  • To understand the methodologies for verification, reporting, and payment triggering in RBF schemes.
  • To develop proficiency in designing RBF-aligned programs, developing outcome indicators, and managing associated risks.
  • To explore the strategic implications, opportunities, and challenges of implementing RBF in humanitarian contexts.

Course Modules:

Introduction

  • The humanitarian financing gap and the imperative for innovation.
  • Defining Results-Based Financing (RBF): moving from inputs to outcomes.
  • RBF in humanitarian contexts: rationale, potential benefits, and unique challenges.
  • Overview of different RBF models and their applicability to humanitarian action.
  • Course objectives and an outline of the modules.

Fundamentals of Results-Based Financing

  • Key Concepts: Inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact in humanitarian programming.
  • Types of RBF Instruments: Performance-based contracts, outcome-based aid, impact bonds.
  • The Role of Incentives: How RBF aims to drive efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Stakeholder Roles: Funders, implementers, verifiers, and beneficiaries in RBF schemes.
  • Distinguishing RBF from traditional grant-based financing.

Defining and Measuring Humanitarian Outcomes

  • Identifying Measurable Outcomes: Setting clear, specific, and relevant humanitarian objectives.
  • Developing Outcome Indicators: Quantitative and qualitative metrics for measuring progress.
  • Baselines and Targets: Establishing reference points for measuring change.
  • Attribution vs. Contribution: Understanding the challenge of demonstrating direct impact in complex settings.
  • Best practices for designing logical frameworks and theories of change for RBF.

Verification and Reporting in RBF

  • Verification Methodologies: Independent third-party verification, self-verification with robust oversight.
  • Data Collection and Quality Assurance: Ensuring reliable and accurate data for outcome measurement.
  • Payment Triggers: Defining the conditions and thresholds for releasing funds based on achieved results.
  • Reporting Requirements: Adapting financial and narrative reporting to RBF frameworks.
  • The role of technology in facilitating data collection, verification, and transparency.

RBF Models in Humanitarian Contexts

  • Anticipatory Action Financing: Linking funding release to pre-defined triggers and forecasts (e.g., weather events).
  • Performance-Based Contracting for Services: Paying for specific service delivery outcomes (e.g., health, nutrition).
  • Humanitarian Impact Bonds: Mobilizing private capital for upfront funding, with repayment linked to outcomes.
  • Conditional Cash Transfers (CCTs): Linking cash assistance to beneficiary actions (e.g., school attendance, health visits).
  • Blended finance approaches integrating RBF elements.

Risk Management and Ethical Considerations in RBF

  • Financial Risks: Non-achievement of results, higher transaction costs, payment delays.
  • Operational Risks: Data manipulation, perverse incentives, focus on easily measurable outcomes over complex needs.
  • Ethical Dilemmas: Potential for cherry-picking beneficiaries, exclusion of vulnerable groups, "do no harm" implications.
  • Mitigation Strategies: Robust verification, clear contracts, independent oversight, learning loops.
  • Ensuring RBF promotes, rather than undermines, humanitarian principles.

Implementing and Managing RBF Programs

  • Designing RBF Projects: From conceptualization to operational planning.
  • Contract Negotiation: Key considerations for RBF agreements between funders and implementers.
  • Partnership Management: Fostering collaboration and shared understanding of RBF objectives.
  • Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL): Adapting MEL frameworks for continuous improvement in RBF.
  • Capacity building for implementing partners in RBF principles and practices.

The Future of Results-Based Humanitarian Financing

  • Scaling RBF: Overcoming barriers to wider adoption in the humanitarian sector.
  • Integration with Existing Frameworks: Complementarity with the Grand Bargain and other reform agendas.
  • Technological Innovations: Blockchain for transparency, AI for predictive analytics in RBF.
  • Donor Perspectives: Evolving interest and appetite for RBF from major humanitarian donors.
  • The potential of RBF to bridge the humanitarian-development-peace nexus.

CERTIFICATION

  • Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

  • Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

  • Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com

 

 results-based Humanitarian Financing Training Course in Kenya
Dates Fees Location Action