Women’s Refugee Commission, Inc. AID-OFDA-G-16-00254

Q3 Narrative Report: April 28, 2017 Project Title: More than a Sector: A real-time monitoring tool to track changes in adolescent girls’ protective assets and in their access to services across sectors

Sector Name: Protection Improve and monitor adolescent girls’ protection mainstreaming and access to Objective: services Award Amount: $300,000 # of People 100 humanitarian practitioners Targeted: Number of IDPs 250 hard-to-reach and vulnerable adolescent girls Targeted: Geographic Area: Sub-sector Name: Child Protection Indicator 1: Number of people trained in child protection, disaggregated by sex. Number of organizations that design new or modify existing programs focused on Indicator 2: keeping adolescent girls safe.* Number of organizations that monitor adolescent girls’ access to their services Indicator 3: and/or who reach girls through safe space platforms.* % of targeted children reporting an improvement in sense of safety and well-being Indicator 4: at close of program, disaggregated by sex (numerator = children demonstrating improvement; denominator = total number of children participating in program) % of targeted children having accessed/benefited from an existing humanitarian service delivered outside the safe space platform, disaggregated by sex (numerator Indicator 5: = children demonstrating improvement; denominator = total number of children participating in program) ‡ Sub-sector Name: Protection Coordination, Advocacy, and Information Number of emergency responders, humanitarian practitioners and early recovery Indicator 6: actors trained on safer, more effective humanitarian response for adolescent girls. Number of practitioners reached through dissemination of revised guidance and Indicator 7: toolkit.*

The program objectives are:

1. To safely link adolescent girls—displaced and from host communities―to adolescent-friendly services and to tailored programing that builds their protective assets, ensuring throughout that the most marginalized, hardest-to-reach segments of adolescent girls have been reached.

2. To monitor improved access to services for adolescent girls and resultant reductions in vulnerability and increases in protection.

Women's Refugee Commission, Inc. - Quarter 3 Report: January 1, 2017 - March 31, 2017 AID-OFDA-G-16-00254 Activities: A. Develop a beta-version of the real-time “monitoring” feature (Month 3-4) B. Implement full approach, inclusive of field-testing the real-time monitoring feature in one humanitarian setting (Month 2–12) with Mercy Corps C. Build awareness and capacity of other humanitarian actors to deliver adolescent-friendly services, inclusive of securing their uptake to use the new feature (Month 3 – 15). D. Assess impact of the application of the monitoring mechanism (ongoing). E. Consolidate learning and promote uptake of the full body of tools (Month 12-15) that comprise the I’m Here approach including the tracking and monitoring feature through briefings and presentations with key actors (months 13-15), webinars (months 13-15), remote technical assistance to requesting organizations (ongoing throughout the project period), and broad dissemination of the package of tools (month 14-15).

Analysis of Progress:

A. Beta-version of the real-time “monitoring” (RTM) feature. During this reporting period, the development of the RTM feature did not advance as planned. Delays in subgrantee’s (RedRose) delivery of test-ready outputs stalled implementation. Foundational advancements, however, were made. During Q3, the team (a) finalized the computer coding for key features and translated relevant text into French; (b) set up the RTM dashboard url and log-in (https://iamheregirlroster.cloud/); and (c) finalized the full set of girl-level indicators.

In this quarter, WRC coordinated the development and finalization of the computer coding files that underpin the RTM. Between January and March, WRC, in consultation with Mercy Corps Mali, developed the foundational XLS coding files for RedRose to modify and integrate into the I’m Here Dashboard. Additionally, WRC developed an “indicators bank” of girl-level protective assets from which humanitarian actors could select 20 for monitoring. RedRose was to lead in transferring these indicators into the coding language required for integration into the real-time monitoring feature.

From January to March 2016, WRC and Mercy Corps provided RedRose with key inputs per their request and guidance. Unfortunately, these developments have not resulted in a RTM feature that is sufficiently ready for field-testing. Delays have prevented Mercy Corps from pilot testing the tool on two different occasions: (1) in February 2016, shortly after the field training on I’m Here implementation, and (b) in March 2016, when the team had agreed to reschedule the pilot. Please see the presentation attached to this report, titled, RMT Status Tracking Q3, for a visual summary.

With a focus on being able to develop and field test the RMT, the implementation team is currently outlining options for OFDA input and consideration. Contingency planning is ongoing and WRC will continue to share our response to delays in implementation as they arise with OFDA.

Women's Refugee Commission, Inc. - Quarter 3 Report: January 1, 2017 - March 31, 2017 AID-OFDA-G-16-00254 B. Implement full approach with Mercy Corps. During this reporting period, WRC, Mercy Corps and RedRose convened a four-day training at the Mercy Corps office (held on February 13th-17th 2017). Twenty Mercy Corps staff and two implementing partners were present. The training covered the rationale that underpins I’m Here implementation, the key steps, and tools. During the training, RedRose introduced an initial view of the visual dashboard and the RMT smart card system. The training provided another opportunity to review and improve the existing tools, making them more relevant for field staff and enumerators. Field team recommendations included reordering survey questions and shifting language. The visual dashboard and RMT, however, were not sufficiently developed for testing during the training or for field use shortly thereafter.

Update on pilot sites: Last quarter (Q2), , a city in the Northern region of (Mali), was selected as an initial pilot site for the new real-time monitoring feature. This quarter, two more sites were selected in Mali in the event of the expansion of the pilot using the same selection criteria. These sites include Wabaria, a rural community in the circle of , , and Timbuktu, one of Mali’s most important cities and a key site of conflict. Site selection was undertaken based on three primary criteria, which were agreed upon by Mercy Corps, WRC, and RedRose: (a) the presence of Mercy Corps programs working with adolescent girls; (b) A concentration of adolescent girls and boys with a diversity of profiles and needs; and (c) Accessibility of the site with feasible mobility for the target beneficiaries.

C. Build awareness and capacity of other humanitarian actors. During this reporting period, WRC remotely supported Mercy Corps in carrying out six presentations at sub-cluster coordination meetings attended by key actors who have operations across three pilot sites: Ansongo, Wabaria, and Timbuktu. WRC developed presentation slides, provided guidance on talking-points and ensured messaging reflected the latest learning from I’m Here implementation in other settings. While waiting for the pilot-ready RMT tool, WRC and Mercy Corps have moved forward with key work in these communities. In Ansongo, Wabaria, and Timbuktu, the team has (a) conducted a stakeholder analysis, noting interested in the pilot work; and (b) carried out the first step in I’m Here implementation – the GPS resource mapping – in all three of these pilot sites. Results from the updated stakeholder analysis and engagement are outlined in the presentation, titled WRC ODFA Q3 - Stakeholder Analysis & Mapping Summary, attached to this report.

Additionally, WRC modified training materials to support a remote training of 11 additional humanitarian practitioners working in the Northern regions of Gao and Timbuktu. These practitioners will support on-the-ground implementation once the dashboard and RMT ready for field testing.

D. Assess impact of the application of the monitoring mechanism. No progress to report at this time, given delays in subgrantee’s delivery of field-testable outputs, as reported above.

E. Consolidate learning and promote uptake of the full body of tool. No progress to report, given the project timeline.

Women's Refugee Commission, Inc. - Quarter 3 Report: January 1, 2017 - March 31, 2017 AID-OFDA-G-16-00254 Sector Name: Protection Q1: 8/1/2016-9/30/2016 Q2: 10/1/2016-12/31/2016 Q3: 1/1/2017-3/31/2017 Improve and monitor adolescent girls’ protection mainstreaming and Objective: access to services Number of People 100 humanitarian practitioners Targeted: Number of IDPs 250 hard-to-reach and vulnerable adolescent girls Targeted: Sub-sector Child Protection Name: 0 0 Total | 31 Number of people trained in child Indicator 1: Female | 14 protection, disaggregated by sex. Male | 17 Number of organizations that design 0 0 0 new or modify existing programs

focused on keeping adolescent girls safe.* Number of organizations that monitor 0 0 0 adolescent girls’ access to their Indicator 3: services and/or who reach girls through safe space platforms.* % of targeted children reporting an 0 0 0 improvement in sense of safety and well-being at close of program, Indicator 4: disaggregated by sex (numerator = children demonstrating improvement; denominator = total number of children participating in program) % of targeted children having 0 0 0 accessed/benefited from an existing humanitarian service delivered outside the safe space platform, disaggregated Indicator 5: by sex (numerator = children demonstrating improvement; denominator = total number of children participating in program) ‡ Sub-Sector Protection Coordination, Advocacy, and Information Name:

Women's Refugee Commission, Inc. - Quarter 3 Report: January 1, 2017 - March 31, 2017 AID-OFDA-G-16-00254 Number of emergency responders, 0 0 Total | 31 humanitarian practitioners and early Female | 14 Indicator 6: recovery actors trained on safer, more Male | 17 effective humanitarian response for adolescent girls. Number of practitioners reached 0 0 0 Indicator 7: through dissemination of revised guidance and toolkit.*

Women's Refugee Commission, Inc. - Quarter 3 Report: January 1, 2017 - March 31, 2017 AID-OFDA-G-16-00254 Program Challenges or Limitations:

Delays in RedRose’s delivery of the field-testable RMT feature is a key challenge, as described above and in WRC’s recent meeting with OFDA. As the development of the visual dashboard and real-time monitoring feature has been delayed, it will not be possible to align the pilot of I’m Here’s new real-time monitoring feature with WISE safe spaces as originally scheduled. This is because the WISE program is due to close in June 2017, and is awaiting new funding to keep the spaces open. However, Mercy Corps is committed to keep safe spaces functioning in the three selected sites, where it can use the I’m Here approach in view to develop community-driven solutions to the extent possible until the end of the pilot.

Delays are also impacting the implementation team’s ability to collaborate with other key stakeholders, including INGOs and local civil society organizations. As such, we anticipate that it will not be possible at the early stages of piloting to use the real-time monitoring feature to monitor girls’ access to services provided by external actors. WRC and Mercy Corps still aim to pilot a RTM feature within four existing safe spaces in the three selected sites and then sharing lessons learned to key stakeholders. In doing so, WRC and Mercy Corps will continue work with partners to develop the RMT, achieve greater accountability to adolescent girls with Mercy Corps’ programming, and to share relevant learning with external stakeholders who could then at a later time participate in the monitoring girls’ access to services.

Despite ongoing insecurity in the Northern regions, Timbuktu and Wabaria remain relatively accessible. Mercy Corps maintains a large office in Timbuktu town, and offices in Gao and Ansongo, which are within reach of Wabaria.

Next Steps:

Key operational step(s):

- WRC will outline a recommendation for OFDA consideration and input regarding identification of a new IT partner that, after viewing the materials RedRose developed, believes it can leverage previous work and deliver the RMT. This recommendation: (a) mitigates additional delays and costs, (b) strengthens ability to delivery sought-after program tool that promotes accountability to girls. This recommendation was informed by consultation with Mercy Corps Mali.

Key technical steps:

- WRC and Mercy Corps will continue engaging with relevant stakeholders and service providers, in order to stimulate further interest in participating in the pilot exercise. It will seek to share experiences on the implementation of the I’m Here Approach in the selected locations, as well as of the real-time monitoring tool to harness participation of other actors.

- With WRC’s remote support, Mercy Corps will leverage the learning from the February workshop to carry out the first steps of the I’m Here Approach, awaiting the updated version of the virtual dashboard and real-time monitoring feature. I’m Here implementation will be carried out as it has been done in other setting, without the new RMT features.

Women's Refugee Commission, Inc. - Quarter 3 Report: January 1, 2017 - March 31, 2017 AID-OFDA-G-16-00254