Conflict Sensitivity and Do No Harm Principles Training Course

Introduction

In environments affected by conflict, every intervention, whether humanitarian, development, or peacebuilding, has the potential to inadvertently exacerbate tensions or contribute to violence if not carefully designed and implemented. This 5-day training course on Conflict Sensitivity and Do No Harm Principles provides participants with the essential framework and practical tools to ensure that their actions actively contribute to peace and stability, rather than inadvertently fueling conflict. Participants will gain a deep understanding of how to analyze the interaction between their interventions and the conflict context, identify potential negative impacts, and adapt their approaches to minimize harm and maximize positive contributions to peace.

This intensive program is designed for humanitarian aid workers, development professionals, peacebuilding practitioners, government officials, civil society organizations, and private sector actors operating in fragile and conflict-affected regions. It will equip attendees with methodologies for conflict analysis, stakeholder mapping, and program adaptation, fostering a critical mindset to ensure responsible engagement. By embedding the principles of conflict sensitivity and "Do No Harm" into their daily work, this course aims to empower participants to strengthen the effectiveness, accountability, and ethical integrity of their interventions, ultimately contributing to more sustainable and equitable outcomes in complex environments.

Duration: 5 Days

Target Audience:

  • Humanitarian aid workers and program managers
  • Development professionals and practitioners
  • Peacebuilding practitioners and advisors
  • Government officials involved in aid and development programming
  • Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) working in conflict-affected areas
  • Private sector representatives operating in fragile contexts
  • Researchers and academics in conflict studies and international development
  • Donor representatives and funding agencies

Objectives: Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Define conflict sensitivity and the "Do No Harm" principle and understand their critical importance.
  • Analyze the conflict context, including its drivers, actors, and dynamics.
  • Identify the potential positive and negative impacts of external interventions on conflict dynamics.
  • Apply tools and methodologies for conflict-sensitive program design, implementation, and monitoring.
  • Develop strategies to integrate conflict sensitivity into organizational policies and practices.

Course Modules:

Module 1: Introduction to Conflict Sensitivity and Do No Harm

  • Defining conflict: types, levels, and characteristics.
  • The concept of "Do No Harm" (DNH): origins and core principles.
  • Defining conflict sensitivity: understanding the interaction between intervention and context.
  • The ethical and practical imperative for conflict sensitivity in all sectors.
  • Overview of key concepts: drivers of conflict, dividers, connectors.

Module 2: Understanding the Conflict Context

  • Components of a comprehensive conflict analysis: actors, issues, structures, dynamics.
  • Mapping conflict actors: parties to the conflict, spoilers, peace constituencies.
  • Identifying drivers of conflict (e.g., political exclusion, economic grievances, identity issues).
  • Understanding "dividers" and "connectors" within a society.
  • The role of power dynamics and historical legacies in conflict.

Module 3: Analyzing the Interaction between Interventions and Conflict

  • The "Aid-Conflict" debate: how assistance can inadvertently fuel conflict.
  • The impact of resources (goods and services) on conflict dynamics.
  • The impact of implicit messages (actions and communication) on conflict dynamics.
  • Analyzing staff behavior and its influence on local relations.
  • Unintended consequences: identifying potential negative impacts of well-intentioned actions.

Module 4: Conflict-Sensitive Program Design

  • Integrating conflict analysis findings into project design.
  • Setting conflict-sensitive objectives and expected outcomes.
  • Selecting appropriate partners and working modalities.
  • Designing activities that strengthen connectors and mitigate dividers.
  • Developing context-specific indicators for conflict sensitivity.

Module 5: Conflict-Sensitive Implementation and Management

  • Adapting program implementation to evolving conflict dynamics.
  • Engaging with local communities and stakeholders in a conflict-sensitive manner.
  • Managing relationships with diverse actors (local authorities, armed groups, community leaders).
  • Decision-making in dynamic and uncertain conflict environments.
  • Ensuring the security of staff while upholding conflict sensitivity.

Module 6: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) for Conflict Sensitivity

  • Developing conflict-sensitive monitoring frameworks.
  • Collecting data on the unintended impacts of interventions.
  • Conducting periodic conflict reviews and adaptation exercises.
  • Learning from successes and failures in conflict-sensitive programming.
  • Reporting on conflict sensitivity to stakeholders and donors.

Module 7: Integrating Conflict Sensitivity at the Organizational Level

  • Developing organizational policies and guidelines for conflict sensitivity.
  • Building staff capacity in conflict analysis and DNH principles.
  • Promoting a culture of learning and reflection on conflict dynamics.
  • Institutionalizing conflict sensitivity in strategic planning and decision-making.
  • The role of leadership in championing conflict sensitivity.

Module 8: Challenges, Best Practices, and Future Directions

  • Common pitfalls in applying conflict sensitivity (e.g., lack of resources, political constraints).
  • Case studies and lessons learned from various conflict-affected contexts.
  • The nexus approach: linking humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts through conflict sensitivity.
  • Emerging challenges: climate change, urban conflicts, digital impacts on conflict.
  • Advocating for broader adoption of conflict sensitivity across sectors.

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

 

Conflict Sensitivity And Do No Harm Principles Training Course in Kenya
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