Guidance note on evaluation and Do No Harm

This note provides guidance on incorporating the Do No Harm (DNH) principle into evaluations.

It emphasizes three main approaches: evaluating for DNH use, developing indicators for evaluation, and conducting conflict-sensitive evaluations.

This guidance note published by CDA Collaborative Learning Projects (2012) outlines how to incorporate the Do No Harm (DNH) principle in evaluations. It emphasizes the importance of conflict sensitivity, ethical practices, and comprehensive analysis to mitigate negative impacts. The note focuses on three main approaches: evaluating for DNH use, developing indicators for evaluation, and conducting conflict-sensitive evaluations.

Key content

Key takeaways from the resource include:

Section I: Evaluating for Do No Harm use

This section provides guidance on evaluating whether projects or programs incorporate DNH principles:

• DNH Analysis: Evaluators should assess if a project has conducted a DNH analysis, regularly updated it, and implemented changes based on the analysis.
• Implementation and Impact: Evaluators need to determine if changes were made to reduce conflict dividers and enhance connectors, evaluating the effectiveness of these modifications.
• Commitment to DNH: Key questions include how staff analyze the context, their intervention, and whether the analysis is reflected in project redesign and daily work.

Section II: Using DNH to develop indicators for evaluation

This section covers developing conflict-sensitive indicators for evaluation:

• Indicator development: Evaluators should develop context-specific indicators, using DNH analysis if no prior indicators exist.
• Impact areas: Interventions impact six key areas: fragmentation/cohesion, quality of life, respect, behavior, government capacity, and human rights. Evaluators should observe changes in these areas.
• Project decisions: Evaluators should analyze the criteria and decisions made in projects, ensuring indicators reflect conflict-sensitive practices.

Section III: Evaluating with Do No Harm principles

This section explains how to conduct evaluations adhering to DNH principles:

• Evaluator’s role: Evaluators are part of the context and must behave conflict-sensitively, following the ABCs (Actions and Behaviors lead to Consequences) and RAFT (Respect, Accountability, Fairness, Transparency) principles.
• Interactions: Evaluators should interact respectfully and transparently with staff and beneficiaries, fostering an open and honest evaluation environment.
• Learning and accountability: Evaluators should focus on learning opportunities, presenting serious issues constructively, and being accountable for their findings.