Services

We conduct research and evaluations in fragile and conflict-affected settings. Our work falls into two areas: formative research that helps organisations understand the contexts they operate in, and monitoring and evaluation that measures whether programmes achieve what they set out to do. Gender and inclusion analysis runs through everything we deliver.

Service Categories

  • Conflict analyses
  • Political economy analyses (PEA)
  • Gender and inclusion assessments
  • Migration and displacement studies
  • Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) assessments
  • Impact assessments
  • Monitoring and evaluation (baseline, midline, endline)
  • Field research and primary data collection
  • Bespoke analysis and strategic advisory
  • Research for Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC)

Political Economy Analysis

Our political economy analyses are grounded in an understanding of the context at the macro, meso and micro levels. We look at political and economic processes — the key institutions, structures, stakeholders, distribution of resources, and competing interests — that underpin an issue, sector or region. We work in an intersectional way to determine how a given context or issue affects people - particularly the most marginalised - differently.

Conflict Analysis

Our approach to conflict analysis emphasises the importance of local context and the perspectives of affected communities. Moreover, we believe that gender sensitive conflict analysis is essential in understanding the causes, impact, and resolution of conflict. Our conflict analysis reports include a scenario planning component based on research findings, which broadly reflect potential changes in the conflict situation and the likely impact on programming, in terms of the risks and opportunities that each scenario represents.

Contextual and Situational Analysis

Our approach to contextual and situational analysis, draws on our expertise in PEA and conflict analysis. In presenting the context for future programming we aim to analyse opportunities, barriers, and bottlenecks, highlight existing interventions by other stakeholders, their level of success and impact on policy, or gaps that persist, so as to produce the most comprehensive systematic analysis to inform organisations’ strategic decision-making.

Research

We help organisations understand the political, social, and conflict dynamics that shape their operating environments.

Conflict analysis - We map actors, drivers, and dynamics of conflict at national and sub-national levels. Our analyses include scenario planning to help clients anticipate how situations may evolve and what that means for their programming.

Political economy analysis - We examine the institutions, interests, and incentives that determine how power and resources are distributed. Our PEAs operate at macro, meso, and micro levels and identify entry points for programmes to engage effectively.

Gender and inclusion analysis - We assess how gender norms, roles, and power relations affect programme outcomes. Our analyses apply an intersectional lens, examining how gender interacts with disability, age, displacement status, and other factors.

Conflict sensitivity assessments - We identify how programme activities may interact with conflict dynamics, for better or worse, and develop mitigation strategies.

Context and situational analysis - We provide the evidence base for programme design, mapping existing interventions, gaps, and opportunities.

Monitoring and Evaluation

We design and deliver evaluations across the programme cycle.

Baseline studies - We establish starting values for programme indicators and provide contextual analysis to inform implementation.

Midline evaluations - We assess progress at the midpoint, identifying what is working and where course corrections are needed.

Endline and final evaluations - We measure programme outcomes against objectives, document lessons learned, and assess sustainability. We structure evaluations against OECD-DAC criteria and use mixed methods, including quantitative surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and outcome harvesting.

Ongoing monitoring support - We support programmes with data collection, indicator tracking, and learning processes throughout implementation.

Research in action