Being practical, being safe: Doing evaluations in contested spaces

This paper offers practical guidance for conducting evaluations in conflict zones, focusing on safety, ethics, and adaptability. It provides strategies for managing risks and ethical dilemmas during different evaluation phases.

This paper by VeLure Roholt and Baizerman (2012) focuses on the challenges evaluators face during different stages of evaluation—pre-study, design, implementation, and reporting—and provides strategies for maintaining safety and ensuring ethical integrity. It explores how political instability and violence shape the evaluation process and highlights the need for flexibility and adaptability. This paper is valuable to M&E practitioners in fragile and conflict-affected settings, offering practical insights on navigating complex environments while upholding professional standards.

Key features

This resource provides a comprehensive overview of evaluation practices in FCV contexts, outlining the nuances at different stages of conflict. Its key features include:

• distinctions between evaluation phases in pre-conflict, conflict, and post-conflict settings
• exploration of the heightened ethical responsibilities evaluators face in violent environments
• emphasis on evaluator safety and the potential risks to participants
• practical strategies for adapting evaluation methods to meet the dynamic challenges of conflict zones
• discussion of the complexities of participatory and process evaluations in contested spaces
• a strategy of guidance for evaluators, encouraging self-reflective practice and responsiveness to local contexts

How would you use the resource?

This resource is ideal for evaluators working in areas affected by armed conflict or social unrest who need practical guidance on conducting evaluations safely and ethically. It can be used to inform the planning and execution of evaluations by providing detailed strategies for handling the unpredictability of conflict environments. The resource is particularly useful for those assessing whether an evaluation is feasible in a high-risk area or when evaluating the safety of participants and stakeholders. Key sections such as "safety" and "process evaluation: a wise choice" are useful for practitioners seeking to balance thorough data collection with risk management.

Why are we recommending it?

This resource is highly relevant for M&E practitioners in FCV settings because it addresses the unique challenges posed by contested spaces. It provides actionable advice on navigating ethical dilemmas, safety concerns, and the complexities of political landscapes, making it a valuable tool for those conducting evaluations under difficult and dangerous conditions.