Data Collection in Humanitarian Programs Training Course

Introduction

The Data Collection in Humanitarian Programs Training Course is a comprehensive professional development program designed to equip humanitarian professionals, monitoring and evaluation specialists, researchers, data managers, government officials, United Nations personnel, non-governmental organization staff, and development practitioners with the knowledge, technical expertise, and practical skills required to plan, implement, manage, and supervise high-quality data collection activities in humanitarian settings. The course focuses on humanitarian data collection methodologies, needs assessments, digital data collection, mobile survey technologies, data quality assurance, humanitarian information management, ethical data collection, sampling techniques, questionnaire design, field supervision, data security, monitoring and evaluation, humanitarian reporting, and evidence-based decision-making. Participants will strengthen their capacity to collect accurate, timely, reliable, and actionable data that supports effective humanitarian programming, accountability, and organizational learning.

Humanitarian emergencies caused by armed conflicts, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, displacement, food insecurity, and climate-related crises require rapid, accurate, and reliable data for planning, resource allocation, emergency response, and recovery. Effective data collection enables humanitarian organizations to identify priority needs, monitor program performance, evaluate intervention outcomes, strengthen accountability, and support informed decision-making. This course provides practical knowledge on quantitative and qualitative research methods, household surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, observation techniques, digital data collection platforms such as ODK, KoboToolbox, SurveyCTO, and CommCare, GPS data collection, data validation, field quality control, humanitarian information management systems, and ethical considerations. Through practical workshops, simulation exercises, field practice, and real-world case studies, participants develop competencies to design and implement efficient data collection systems that meet international humanitarian standards.

The training integrates internationally recognized humanitarian and data management frameworks including the Sphere Humanitarian Standards, Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), Humanitarian Programme Cycle (HPC), Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), Results-Based Management (RBM), OECD DAC Evaluation Criteria, humanitarian information management standards, data quality assessment frameworks, monitoring and evaluation systems, research ethics, data protection principles, and organizational learning approaches. Participants strengthen their ability to coordinate data collection activities across humanitarian sectors while ensuring data accuracy, confidentiality, transparency, accountability, and compliance with donor and organizational reporting requirements.

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will possess practical skills to design data collection tools, develop sampling strategies, supervise field data collection teams, use digital data collection technologies, perform data quality assurance, analyze field data, prepare technical reports, strengthen humanitarian information systems, and develop evidence-based recommendations for humanitarian decision-making. The course combines expert facilitation, practical demonstrations, collaborative learning, simulation exercises, field assignments, organizational assessments, and action-oriented case studies to ensure participants acquire competencies applicable across humanitarian organizations, government institutions, United Nations agencies, donor-funded programs, civil society organizations, research institutions, and international development organizations.

Course Objectives

1.     Understand the principles and methodologies of humanitarian data collection.

2.     Design effective quantitative and qualitative data collection tools.

3.     Apply appropriate sampling techniques for humanitarian assessments.

4.     Utilize digital data collection platforms and mobile technologies.

5.     Strengthen field supervision and data quality assurance processes.

6.     Ensure ethical data collection and protection of sensitive information.

7.     Improve humanitarian information management and reporting systems.

8.     Enhance monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning through quality data.

9.     Strengthen evidence-based decision-making in humanitarian programs.

10.  Develop organizational data collection and management strategies.

Organizational Benefits

1.     Strengthens institutional capacity for humanitarian data collection.

2.     Improves accuracy, reliability, and timeliness of field data.

3.     Enhances evidence-based planning and decision-making.

4.     Strengthens monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning systems.

5.     Improves donor reporting and compliance.

6.     Enhances humanitarian needs assessments and program targeting.

7.     Builds staff competencies in digital data collection technologies.

8.     Improves organizational transparency and accountability.

9.     Reduces operational risks through quality data management.

10.  Supports effective humanitarian programming and continuous improvement.

Target Participants

This course is designed for monitoring and evaluation officers, MEAL specialists, humanitarian program managers, project coordinators, researchers, statisticians, data analysts, information management officers, government officials, NGO and United Nations personnel, emergency response coordinators, humanitarian coordinators, field supervisors, enumerators, social researchers, consultants, policymakers, development practitioners, disaster management professionals, civil society organizations, community development officers, and professionals responsible for humanitarian assessments, data collection, monitoring, evaluation, research, and information management.

Course Outline

Module 1: Foundations of Humanitarian Data Collection

·       Principles of humanitarian data collection

·       Humanitarian assessment methodologies

·       Research ethics and informed consent

·       Sampling techniques

·       Questionnaire and survey design

·       General Case Study: Designing a rapid humanitarian needs assessment after a natural disaster

Module 2: Digital Data Collection and Field Operations

·       Mobile data collection using ODK, KoboToolbox, and SurveyCTO

·       GPS and GIS data collection

·       Enumerator training and supervision

·       Data quality assurance and validation

·       Data security and confidentiality

·       General Case Study: Conducting digital household surveys in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps

Module 3: Qualitative and Quantitative Data Collection Methods

·       Household surveys

·       Focus group discussions and key informant interviews

·       Observation techniques and participatory methods

·       Humanitarian information management

·       Data cleaning, reporting, and visualization

·       General Case Study: Collecting and validating multisector humanitarian data to support emergency response planning

Module 4: Monitoring, Evaluation and Data Quality Management

·       Data Quality Assessment (DQA)

·       Monitoring data collection performance

·       Indicator measurement and reporting

·       Data analysis and interpretation

·       Organizational learning and adaptive management

·       General Case Study: Improving humanitarian program performance through high-quality monitoring data

Module 5: Humanitarian Coordination and Information Sharing

·       Humanitarian information management systems

·       Multi-sector coordination

·       Data sharing protocols

·       Accountability to affected populations

·       Reporting to donors and stakeholders

·       General Case Study: Coordinating information management across humanitarian partners during a complex emergency

Module 6: Simulation Exercise and Organizational Action Planning

·       Digital field data collection simulation

·       Multi-sector humanitarian assessment exercise

·       Operational decision-making

·       Organizational data management planning

·       Monitoring implementation progress

·       General Case Study: Developing a comprehensive humanitarian data collection and information management framework for emergency response operations

General Information

1.     Customized Training: All our courses can be tailored to meet the specific needs of participants.

2.     Language Proficiency: Participants should have a good command of the English language.

3.     Comprehensive Learning: Our training includes well-structured presentations, practical exercises, web-based tutorials, and collaborative group work. Our facilitators are seasoned experts with over a decade of experience.

4.     Certification: Upon successful completion of training, participants will receive a certificate from Foscore Development Center (FDC-K).

5.     Training Locations: Training sessions are conducted at Foscore Development Center (FDC-K) centers. We also offer options for in-house and online training, customized to the client's schedule.

6.     Flexible Duration: Course durations are adaptable, and content can be adjusted to fit the required number of days.

7.     Onsite Training Inclusions: The course fee for onsite training covers facilitation, training materials, two coffee breaks, a buffet lunch, and a Certificate of Successful Completion. Participants are responsible for their travel expenses, airport transfers, visa applications, dinners, health/accident insurance, and personal expenses.

8.     Additional Services: Accommodation, pickup services, freight booking, and visa processing arrangements are available upon request at discounted rates.

9.     Equipment: Tablets and laptops can be provided to participants at an additional cost.

10.  Post-Training Support: We offer one year of free consultation and coaching after the course.

11.  Group Discounts: Register as a group of more than two participants and enjoy a discount ranging from 10% to 50%.

12.  Payment Terms: Payment should be made before the commencement of the training or as mutually agreed upon, to the Foscore Development Center account. This ensures better preparation for your training.

13.  Contact Us: For any inquiries, please reach out to us at training@fdc-k.org or call +254712260031.

14.  Website: Visit www.fdc-k.org for more information.