Inter-Cluster Information Management Initiative

Main themes

• Website harmonisation (global and country level)

• IM toolkit and guidance (support package)• Training and capacity building• Progressive development – looking at new

technologies

Toolkits and Capacity Building

• Each Cluster/AoR should have IM tools to collect necessary information for effective coordination

• Each Cluster/AoR should have trained IMO capacity when needed

• Guidance is available, with associated training, to enable IMOs to adopt and adapt in-country tools and approaches

• Information can be shared• Approaches keep pace with modern technologies

Why consider inter-cluster collaboration?

• There are common information needs across clusters (there are also differences!)

• Formats for some tools are the same (e.g. websites, contact registries, indicator registries, joint assessment tools, 5Ws, CODs/FODs)

• Where common approaches are used, guidance on best IM practice can be shared

• Where common, IM training can be developed jointly to support the Clusters but also SBPs and hosting agencies

• New technologies can benefit all

Overall Process

Definition of IM needs• Agree on information needed

to support coordination• Agree on tool structures for

gathering and storing information

Support Package• Develop tool templates based

on best practice from the field (a toolkit)

• Develop ‘how to’ technical briefing notes for each tool

• Develop an overarching guidance note on the IM approach

Capacity Development• Define the role of an IMO for

your Cluster (ToRs) based on a review of IM support requirements

• Develop a capacity building strategy including training materials and workshop calendar

Types of informationInformation Type ExamplesPre-crisis Common Operational Datasets (admin boundaries, population figures…)

Fundamental Operational Data (e.g. school locations and resources, health facilities, water points, etc.)

Baselines (e.g. Desk Reviews, MICS, Census data, World Bank) Standard indicator registries (for needs assessments and monitoring) Standard ToRs, SOPs, Cluster guidance Question banks Messaging libraries

Response Needs assessmentso Joint and sectoral needs assessmento Situation monitoring

Capacity mapping and gap analysis (financial, human, material and technical)

Response monitoring (inputs, outputs and outcomes) collected using, for example, 5W templates

Cluster Management Country Websites for sharing information and data, advocacy and document repositories: reports, bulletins, operational strategies, ToRs

Operational presence maps (2W OPs – i.e. Who is Where?)‑ Contact directories Meeting schedules, minutes, agendas Document repositories: reports, bulletins, operational strategies, ToRs Cluster Performance Monitoring (e.g. CPMT)

The IM approach (taken from WASH)FIGURE 2 – CLUSTER/SECTOR INFORMATION MANAGEMENT CYCLE

Stage 4. Evidence-Based Decision-Making & Reporting / IM RESULTS

Evidence for planning & strategies developmentE.g. Flash Appeal, CAP, CERF, ERF/CHF and Contingency Plan.

Evidence for coordination and corrective actionsTimely decisions on redirecting resources, adjusting implementation strategies & establishing ad-hoc

coordination mechanisms.

Evidence for advocacy

Evidence for reportingReporting to donor, beneficiaries partners,

Humanitarian Country Team and other stakeholders for accountability.

Stage 3. Analysis of Data & Dissemination of Information / TYPES OF ANALYSES & INFORMATION GENERATED

Needs Analysis Information on: current needs, trends & possible

scenarios

Gap Analysis: Gaps in meeting population needs

Capacities AnalysisInformation on: available, expected & needed capacities

(including resources)

Gap Analysis: Gaps in capacities (available vs. needed)

Activities Analysis Information on: progress & trends in implementing activities

Gap Analysis: Gaps & duplications in coverage & Gaps in implementation according to plans/priorities

Outputs & Outcomes AnalysisInformation on progress & trends in outputs & outcomes

Gap Analysis: Gaps in achieving planned results

Stage 2. Data Collection, Cleaning and Storage / IM TOOLS

Needs Assessment Tool Capacity Mapping Tool 3W / 4W Field Monitoring Tool On-going Situation Monitoring Tool

Stage 1. IM System Design - Review & Development / STEPS OF THE IM SYSTEM DESIGN PROCESS

Step D - Assess IM Environment

Step C - Define Types of Analyses Required to

Generate the Information

Step A - Define key Decisions that Cluster/Sector Needs to Make and Time

Available for Collection & Analysis

Step B - Identify Information Needed for

Decision-Making

Step E - Design 'Good Enough' Tools Using the Support Package

Step F - Agree on Resources, Processes, and Responsibilities

for IM

Step G - Plan Progressive Development of the IM System

(IM Strategy)

Needs• Status and vulnerability• Current needs• Trends and scenarios

Capacity• Current resource and

service availability• Anticipated resource and

service availability• Required resource and

service availability

System Performance

• Progress in planned activities

• Gaps and duplications in planned activities

• Needs assessments (IRA, CAT, MIRA, SMART, IYCF, CPRA, etc

• Case tracking (CPIMS, GBVIMS)

Capacity mapping of:• Services• Partners/staff• Supplies• Finance

• 5Ws (Who is doing what, where, when and for whom?)

• Field Monitoring

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• Monitoring the progress of sectoral response plans• Monitoring progress toward the Strategic Response Plan of the HCT• Identification of priorities and gaps in the humanitarian response• Adjusting response strategies and taking corrective actionRe

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Standards – Targets – Benchmarks - Thresholds

‘Response’ information

Where is Nutrition in the overall process?

Definition of IM needs• Agree on information needed

to support coordination• Agree on tool structures for

gathering and storing information

Support Package• Develop tool templates based

on best practice from the field (a toolkit)

• Develop ‘how to’ technical briefing notes for each tool

• Develop an overarching guidance note on the IM approach

Capacity Development• Define the role of an IMO for

your Cluster (ToRs) based on a review of IM support requirements

• Develop a capacity building strategy including training materials and workshop calendar

Proposed steps• Gather examples of all necessary tools• Develop guidance and briefing notes• Collate all tools and guidance in one place (e.g. GNC website; memory

stick)• Review platform technologies for managing information (Excel,

access, internet platforms)• Collaborate on developing training – maintaining a focus on Nutrition-

specific needs as well as common, inter-cluster opportunities (distance and face-to-face)

• Consider specialist training (e.g. needs assessments, response planning and monitoring, reporting)

• To agree and establish a timeline with the Nutrition IM Task Force in-line with the GNC workplan

Types of informationInformation Type ExamplesPre-crisis Common Operational Datasets (admin boundaries, population figures…)

Fundamental Operational Data (e.g. school locations and resources, health facilities, water points, etc.)

Baselines (e.g. Desk Reviews, MICS, Census data, World Bank) Standard indicator registries (for needs assessments and monitoring) Standard ToRs, SOPs, Cluster guidance Question banks Messaging libraries

Response Needs assessmentso Joint and sectoral needs assessmento Situation monitoring

Capacity mapping and gap analysis (financial, human, material and technical)

Response monitoring (inputs, outputs and outcomes) collected using, for example, 5W templates

Cluster Management Country Websites for sharing information and data, advocacy and document repositories: reports, bulletins, operational strategies, ToRs

Operational presence maps (2W OPs – i.e. Who is Where?)‑ Contact directories Meeting schedules, minutes, agendas Document repositories: reports, bulletins, operational strategies, ToRs Cluster Performance Monitoring (e.g. CPMT)

Web-based

Web-based

???