Thematic area
01
Economic Recovery and Market Systems
In this sector, we assess the impacts of natural disasters and conflicts, the impact on livelihoods and local economies. We evaluate programmes focussed on reducing the impact of disasters. The strategies in place, to rebuild livelihoods and mitigate impact of the natural disasters, and the interventions focused on building communities capacities and respond to shocks. Key areas of our interest include:
- Livelihoods and Economic Growth
- Cash Transfers
- Resilience
- Labour markets
- Food Security and Agriculture
02
Climate Change and Environmental Conservation
Environmental problems are complex, and addressing them requires integrated approaches using a broad skills base. Our consultancy services in this thematic area aim to provide integrated solutions, drawing from researchers/consultants own basic research as well as those of others, building on historical strengths and experience while at the same time working across disciplinary and institutional boundaries. The impact climate change across the globe has been devastating. The Horn of Africa region continues to experience climate extremes, including droughts, flash floods, erratic rainfall, Desert Locusts, rising temperatures, cyclones and sandstorms. The World Bank estimates climate change will push 132 million people into poverty over the next 10 years if un-checked, undoing hard-won development gains. The most important key focus areas for this sector are:
- Climate Change Adaptation and mitigation
- Clean Energy
- Environmental Conservation
03
Healthcare, Nutrition and WASH
Our research and work on healthcare explores healthcare provision and improvement in health outcomes for communities and beneficiaries of government and, NGOs and private sector interventions. Our approach is aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Goal 3, which is focused on accessible health systems to increase life-expediency. In terms of nutrition, we evaluate programmes that seek to improve nutritional status, reduce morbidity and mortality of vulnerable groups and prevent malnutrition among children, pregnant and lactating women and general populace.
Access to water, sanitation and hygiene is collectively known as WASH. Globally, WASH targets contribute to Goal 6 of the SDGs on improving access for billions of people who lack these facilities. According to UNICEF, 2.2 billion people worldwide still lack access to safe drinking water. More than half of the global population does not have access to safe sanitation. Three billion people do not have access to handwashing facilities with soap. Still, 673 million people practice open defecation. The main WASH subject we explore include:
- Water
- Sanitation
- Hygiene
04
Conflict and Governance
Peace and conflict processes are highly complex and dynamic; (re-) appraising options require sound and regular analysis. Lying at the heart of any successful endeavor to tackle ethno-political conflict is a clear and rigorous understanding of the different inter-linked issues, actors and activities involved. Next to this is the need to identify the best and most appropriate form of engagement based on the latest developments, as well as lessons learnt in the field. It is about creating an enabling environment from which the effective and sustainable implementation of policy, programs and even change processes can be planned and evaluated. Key areas of focus include:
- Conflict Management
- Conflict Analysis
- Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE)
- Peace building and Stabilization
- Mediation and Negotiation
- Conflict Resolution Mechanisms
- Access to Justice
- Political Economy Analysis
05
Education
In the education sector, we analyse the education systems, training and curriculum development. Key expertise in this endeavour includes curriculum development, education policy and Technical Vocational & Educational Training (TVET). As Goal 4 of the SDGs, we analyse educational development in fragile and post-conflict contexts taking into consideration the gender inequalities and barriers to universal education.
06
Development and Humanitarian Aid
Communities in fragile and poverty-stricken contexts are frequently caught up in displacement and conflicts. They are most affected by cyclical drought and other climate related shocks. We explore key lessons and case studies on impact of the shocks on the different segments of social groups. We examine the impact of displacement and migration, durable solutions, protection and domestic violence. We also explore the role of localization in delivery of aid and the extent of implementation of localization in terms of funding, partnerships and the Grand Bargain Charter of 2016.
