Course Details

Lifelines in Crisis: Social Protection in Fragile and Conflict-Affected States Training Course

INTRODUCTION

Delivering effective Social Protection (SP) in Fragile and Conflict-Affected States (FCAS) presents profound challenges unlike those in stable environments. Weak institutions, damaged infrastructure, mass displacement, pervasive insecurity, and limited data complicate every aspect of program design and implementation. Yet, it is precisely in these contexts of extreme fragility and conflict that social protection can serve as a critical lifeline, providing essential support, building household resilience, mitigating negative coping strategies, and potentially contributing to stabilization and peacebuilding efforts. This crucial training course equips professionals with the specialized knowledge and practical skills required to navigate the complexities of providing Social Protection in the world's most challenging settings, often bridging the humanitarian assistance and development divide.

This comprehensive training course focuses on adapting social protection approaches for the unique realities of FCAS. Participants will explore strategies for conflict-sensitive programming, targeting vulnerable populations amidst displacement, selecting secure delivery mechanisms, managing heightened risks, and fostering effective coordination among diverse actors working across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. By completing this training course, you will gain the expertise needed to design, implement, and manage context-appropriate social protection interventions that not only provide immediate relief but also contribute to longer-term recovery and resilience in fragile and conflict-affected states.

DURATION

10 days

TARGET AUDIENCE

• Social protection practitioners and policymakers working in or on FCAS
• Humanitarian aid professionals involved in cash programming, food security, and basic needs support
• Development practitioners engaged in governance, state-building, livelihoods, and resilience programs in FCAS
• Peacebuilding, stabilization, and conflict resolution specialists
• Staff of donor agencies, international organizations (UN, INGOs), and foundations funding or implementing programs in FCAS
• Government officials from FCAS contexts involved in social service delivery and post-conflict recovery
• Researchers and policy analysts focusing on fragility, conflict, displacement, and social policy

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• Understand the defining characteristics of Fragile and Conflict-Affected States (FCAS) and the specific challenges they pose for social protection.
• Analyze the diverse roles social protection can play in FCAS, from immediate relief to building resilience and supporting peacebuilding.
• Apply principles of conflict sensitivity and 'Do No Harm' throughout the social protection program cycle in FCAS.
• Adapt targeting, registration, and verification methodologies for contexts marked by displacement, data scarcity, and limited state reach.
• Evaluate the feasibility, security, and appropriateness of different delivery mechanisms (cash, vouchers, in-kind) in FCAS.
• Develop robust strategies for identifying, assessing, and mitigating the heightened operational, fiduciary, security, and political risks in FCAS.
• Understand frameworks and best practices for effective coordination across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus in FCAS.
• Identify practical approaches for linking short-term, externally supported SP interventions with longer-term national system-building efforts where feasible.

COURSE CONTENT

Module 1: Understanding the Context: Fragility, Conflict, and Social Protection

• Defining fragility, conflict, and identifying different types of FCAS contexts for this module.
• Analyzing the drivers of conflict and fragility and their impact on populations and state capacity for this module.
• Exploring the specific rationale and challenges for implementing social protection in FCAS for this module.
• Understanding the interplay between vulnerability, shocks, and coping mechanisms in FCAS for this module.
• Examining the ethical considerations inherent in providing assistance in FCAS for this module.

Module 2: Potential Roles and Objectives of Social Protection in FCAS

• Exploring the use of SP for life-saving humanitarian relief and basic needs provision for this module.
• Analyzing how SP can protect assets and build household resilience to recurrent shocks for this module.
• Investigating the potential of SP to support livelihoods recovery and local economic activity for this module.
• Discussing the potential contributions (and risks) of SP to social cohesion and peacebuilding objectives for this module.
• Examining the role of SP in supporting state legitimacy and the social contract where applicable for this module.

Module 3: Conflict Sensitivity and 'Do No Harm' in SP Design

• Introduction to conflict analysis tools relevant for social protection programming for this module.
• Applying the 'Do No Harm' framework to identify how SP could inadvertently worsen tensions for this module.
• Designing program features (targeting, delivery, communication) to be conflict-sensitive and minimize negative impacts for this module.
• Ensuring impartiality, neutrality, and independence in SP delivery within contested areas for this module.
• Developing strategies for community engagement and feedback to enhance conflict sensitivity for this module.

Module 4: Targeting, Registration, and Verification in Volatile Settings

• Adapting targeting criteria and methodologies for displacement situations and data-poor environments for this module.
• Utilizing community-based approaches and participatory methods for identification and verification for this module.
• Exploring the use of technology (biometrics, mobile data) for registration while considering risks for this module.
• Developing strategies for managing dynamic registration lists and addressing inclusion/exclusion errors for this module.
• Addressing challenges related to identifying vulnerable host community members alongside displaced populations for this module.

Module 5: Delivery Mechanisms: Feasibility, Security, and Access

• Assessing the pros and cons of cash, vouchers, and in-kind assistance in different FCAS contexts for this module.
• Evaluating payment options (mobile money, Hawala, direct cash distribution, financial service providers) based on infrastructure and security for this module.
• Designing secure delivery protocols and managing cash-in-transit risks for this module.
• Ensuring physical access to distribution points or payment agents for beneficiaries in insecure areas for this module.
• Developing contingency plans for delivery disruptions due to insecurity or operational constraints for this module.

Module 6: Managing Risks in FCAS Social Protection Programming

• Identifying and assessing key operational risks (access constraints, staff safety, logistics) for this module.
• Developing strategies for mitigating fiduciary risks (fraud, diversion, corruption) in low-capacity environments for this module.
• Implementing robust security risk management protocols for staff, partners, and beneficiaries for this module.
• Understanding and navigating political risks and potential interference in SP delivery for this module.
• Utilizing remote monitoring techniques and third-party monitoring where direct access is limited for this module.

Module 7: Coordination Across the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus

• Understanding the principles and importance of coordination across HDP actors in FCAS for this module.
• Mapping the key actors and coordination structures (clusters, government platforms, peace committees) relevant to SP for this module.
• Developing strategies for joint analysis, planning, and information sharing between SP, humanitarian, and peace actors for this module.
• Navigating potential challenges in civil-military coordination related to SP delivery for this module.
• Promoting coherence and complementarity between different actors' interventions for this module.

Module 8: Linking Relief to Systems: Transition and Sustainability

• Exploring approaches for using humanitarian social protection delivery to inform longer-term system design for this module.
• Identifying opportunities for building capacity of national and local actors in SP delivery, where feasible for this module.
• Designing transition strategies for handing over programs or integrating them into nascent national systems for this module.
• Considering the role of predictable, multi-year financing in bridging the humanitarian-development divide for this module.
• Managing expectations and developing responsible exit strategies for externally funded SP programs in FCAS for this module.

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