Our expertise
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We possess expertise in research, monitoring, evaluation, and learning, Safeguarding, and Accountability to Affected People. Our MEL capabilities include third-party monitoring, field monitoring and data collection, framework development, evaluations, and impact assessments. In research, we deliver a variety of studies, policy briefs, opinion polls, market assessments, and humanitarian situation monitoring. Our Safeguarding capability covers policy and system development and case investigations, and our Accountability to Affected People capability covers strengthening community feedback mechanisms and ensuring aid accountability through localized, data-driven approaches.
Research
Policy brief
is intended to provide a synthesis of a policy issue for general use and information of the reader.
Briefing note
provides an overview of a particular policy issue. It is used to inform decision-makers about the issue and give action recommendations.
Opinion polls and perception surveys
to gauge public opinions and perceptions on a specific topic. They serve various purposes, such as policy evaluation, trend identification, and general satisfaction assessment.
Technical assessments and feasibility studies
evaluate the practicality and viability of a proposed project or program. They help identify the required tools, resources, skills and knowledge for successful execution.
Market assessment
informs about the availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability of goods and services required by the affected people.
Rapid assessment
a quick data collection and analysis process to gain an initial understanding of a situation or problem.
Policy brief
is intended to provide a synthesis of a policy issue for general use and information of the reader.
Briefing note
provides an overview of a particular policy issue. It is used to inform decision-makers about the issue and give action recommendations.
Opinion polls and perception surveys
to gauge public opinions and perceptions on a specific topic. They serve various purposes, such as policy evaluation, trend identification, and general satisfaction assessment.
Need assessment
identifies and prioritizes the needs of people affected by crises and the opportunities and challenges on the way forward.
Capacity-building
services include conducting workshops, training, webinars, and research initiatives.
Humanitarian situation monitoring
provides regular information on the changing humanitarian needs of affected areas, particularly hard-to-reach areas.
Monitoring and evaluation
Malan’s MEL services enable your organization to track and measure the progress, outcomes, and impact of your initiatives. Our MEL services include:
Third Party Monitoring (TPM)
involves serving as an external partner in collecting and verifying monitoring data to evaluate project or program performance. We can add this oversight layer to any organization’s standard monitoring framework.
Baseline and end-line assessments
measure the impact of an intervention. The baseline assesses the community situation before the intervention, while the end-line assesses the outcomes after an intervention in the same community.
Data quality assessment
uses various standards, like validity, integrity, precision, reliability, and timeliness, to measure data quality. These standards can unveil gaps, errors, inconsistencies, or inaccuracies, allowing data providers to fill or correct them.
MEL framework and system development
involves creating and executing an intervention's monitoring, evaluation, and learning system that uses indicators, tools, and processes to measure whether the intervention has been implemented as planned and is achieving its intended outcomes. MEL frameworks typically include a theory of change; indicators to measure progress at each level of the program; a data collection plan detailing sources, methods, frequency, and responsibility for collecting data on each indicator; a comprehensive plan to analyse, interpret, and report data; a quality assurance plan to check, verify, and validate data; and a plan to use the data in learning, improvement, accountability, and communication processes.
Field monitoring services
involve collecting and analyzing data to track the progress and impact of projects and programs to improve delivery quality, accountability, and effectiveness and to identify and address affected people's needs and feedback.
Reviews and evaluations
encompass data collection, analysis, and interpretation to assess a program's performance. They report progress towards defined goals and determine planned and unexpected effects. Evaluations could be categorized into formative, performance, and final, with additional specific methodologies. Reviews might consist of mid-term, completion, and meta-reviews, among other variations.
Impact evaluation
is a more rigorous evaluation that assesses the observed changes resulting from an intervention compared to its expected outcomes. We can employ a range of methodologies, including mixed methods tools and scientific randomized control trials.
Safeguarding
Policies and System Strengthening
Malan offers tailored consultancy services designed to address the complex safeguarding landscape in the context. We develop bespoke safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring they are relevant and actionable.
- Policy Development and Contextualization: Crafting culturally appropriate safeguarding policies aligned with global best practices and Afghanistan laws. Safer recruitment guidelines, staff codes of conduct, and peer-on-peer abuse protocols.
- Case Investigation: Independent reviews and advisory services for safeguarding incidents or allegations against staff, provided by globally recognized certified investigators ensuring survivors safety, choice, and dignity.
- Safer Recruitment Advice: Guidance on recruitment practices to prevent risks of harm or exploitation.
- Reporting Procedures: Identifying reporting mechanisms and procedures for personnel, beneficiary, and communities (including children) that are safe, confidential, accessible, and transparent.
- Survivor Assistance: Support with the establishment of procedures to safely assist survivors with their primarily needs using internal and external resources.
Training and Capacity Building
Malan provides comprehensive training tailored to Afghanistan’s specific challenges and cultural nuances, emphasizing the principle Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), UN and International Community.
- For Organizational Staff: Accredited, face-to-face and online training ranging from basic to advanced levels for designated technical staff and focal points, management, and field staff.
- For Communities: Awareness sessions for women, men, children, and local community-based structures to build community-wide safeguarding awareness including Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials.
- Cultural Relevance: Training and awareness sessions incorporate Afghanistan’s religious, cultural, and societal values to maximize acceptance and effectiveness.
Organizational System Assessment and Audit
Malan conducts thorough safeguarding audits to assess the effectiveness of existing frameworks and recommend improvements.
- Organizational Audit: Examination of policies, procedures, and practices across all operational areas.
- Safety Audits: On-site evaluations to ensure facilities are safe and safeguarding compliant.
- Risk Analysis and Mitigation: Mapping safeguarding risks inflicted at the organizational and institutional levels with actionable mitigation measures.
- Governance Audit: Evaluation of leadership oversight and accountability in safeguarding practices.
- Recommendations and Action Planning: Comprehensive reports presented to leadership with actionable steps for improvement.
Why Safeguarding Mechanisms Tailored to Afghanistan Context?
Afghanistan presents unique safeguarding challenges due to ongoing conflict, cultural sensitivities, and systemic vulnerabilities. Our services are designed to:
- Address gaps in safeguarding knowledge and practice among organizations and communities.
- Promote the protection of children and vulnerable adults amidst limited resources and fragile systems.
- Foster community engagement to create a shared sense of responsibility for safeguarding.
Accountability to Affected People (AAP)
As a leading consultancy firm specializing in Accountability to Affected People (AAP), Malan is committed to enhancing the collective accountability of the humanitarian and development outcomes for the communities they serve. Our goal is to empower both the broader aid community and individual organizations by developing and refining AAP policies, conducting assessments, strengthening aid workers' AAP capacity, and assisting policymakers in amplifying community voices through data gathered directly from affected communities. Our focus is on identifying, promoting, and implementing best practices in feedback and complaints mechanisms within communities. We prioritize the confidentiality and anonymity rights of all stakeholders in our operations. Our AAP teams are highly trained in responding to feedback and complaints systems, ensuring that the affected communities are protected from potential harm. We design and implement community-based initiatives that foster transparency, establish community-friendly feedback systems, and promote community consultation practices that inform decision-making for the affected people. At the core of our work is data-driven, informed decision-making. We empower stakeholders to refine their efforts and effectively address the most urgent needs of vulnerable communities. We envision a humanitarian and development sector that is accountable, transparent, and driven by the communities it serves. Malan’s AAP services include:
Policy Development
Malan's AAP specialists assist organizations in developing context-specific AAP policies tailored to Afghanistan’s socio-cultural values. Our team is available to strengthen organization AAP teams by guiding them through policy development and effective implementation of the policies.
Capacity Building
We empower organizations by enhancing their AAP knowledge and skills. Our training programs equip partner organization staff with the necessary tools to implement AAP activities at the ground level.
Assessment and Research
Our research focuses on key AAP indicators, providing data-driven solutions for humanitarian and development actors. The findings from our assessments enable decision-makers to optimize resource allocation. Malan’s research initiatives also include auditing AAP systems and service providers. Our team is able to design new AAP initiatives to promote an accountability culture across both affected communities and aid actors.
Program Implementation and Outreach
Malan’s extensive local team structures and network among other key stakeholders enable us to foster the AAP mission in target communities. Our AAP approach operates at an inter-agency level, empowering collective AAP activities among all stakeholders. We also offer communications support to partner organizations. Our ground team is ready to assist partners seeking outreach support across local communities.
Why Choose AAP with Malan?
Our AAP approach is localized and culturally sensitive. We tailor AAP practices to align with local language and values, ensuring that they resonate with the community. We facilitate the transfer of knowledge and power from management levels to the communities themselves. Our teams recommend successful practices based on the unique needs of the societies we serve.
