Session 1.2.3: Quality and accountability (Case work 3)
Learning objectives
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
 Identify the elements of a high quality and fully accountable humanitarian response
 Discuss practical solutions to the challenges of ensuring accountability throughout a
humanitarian response
Timing and methods
Method
1. Presentation and discussion
2. Case study
3. Plenary discussion
Content
Definitions of quality and accountability
Identifying quality and accountability strategies
Report back and conclusion
Total
Time
20
40
30
90
Resources needed
Files
PowerPoint 1.2.3 or flipcharts*
Workbook pages #40-48
Equipment and supplies
NA
* Review and adapt the PowerPoint or prepare flipcharts with the essential content in advance of the session
Preparation

The facilitator should have a good understanding of humanitarian accountability in
theory and practice. See http://www.hapinternational.org and
http://www.ecbproject.org/AboutAccountability if additional background is required.
Key messages


A good quality response is one where it:
o quickly meets the life-saving needs of disaster-affected communities
o respects the basic human rights of disaster affected communities
including the right to life with dignity through meeting minimum standards
o is accountable to disaster-affected communities in the first instance, and
to other stakeholders including donors, partners, peers and staff
o women, men, boys and girls are protected from harm and negative
impacts of aid
o equally meets the different needs of women, men, boys and girls
o meets special needs, protects and empowers vulnerable groups
o empowers local communities to participate in all aspects of the response
o helps make people less vulnerable to disasters in the long term
HAP definition: Accountability is the means by which power is used responsibly.
Humanitarian accountability involves taking account of, and accounting to disaster
survivors. An accountable humanitarian response is one in which the people affected
Session Guide 1.2.3 Quality and accountability (Casework 3)
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by it are the most influential decision-makers and the most important judges of its
impact.
Instructions
Activity 1: Presentation and discussion – Definitions of quality and accountability
20 mins
Introduce the
session and its
objectives
1 min
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
 Identify the elements of a high quality and fully accountable
humanitarian response
 Discuss practical solutions to the challenges of ensuring
accountability throughout a humanitarian response
Brainstorm on
meaning of
‘quality’
5-10 mins
Start the session with a brainstorming activity.
Write the word ‘quality’ on a flipchart and ask participants what we mean
by quality. Provide a simple example, such as buying a new suit (or
dress) and ask: What are we looking for when we want to buy a quality
suit?
Next, with those ideas about quality in mind, ask participants to relate
them to a humanitarian response.
Write ‘What does a high quality humanitarian response look like?’ on a
flipchart and collect answers from participants.
Suggest any of following points if not already mentioned by participants:
A good quality response is one that:
 meets the urgent life-saving needs of disaster-affected
communities quickly
 respects the basic human rights of disaster-affected communities
including the right to life with dignity through meeting minimum
standards
 is accountable to disaster-affected communities in the first
instance, and to other stakeholders including donors, partners,
peers and staff
 women, men, boys and girls are protected from harm and
negative impacts of aid
 equally meets the different needs of women, men, boys and girls
 meets special needs, protects and empowers vulnerable groups
 empowers local communities to participate in all aspects the
response
 helps make people less vulnerable to disasters in the long term
Brainstorm on
participants'
understanding
of
accountability
Ask: What do we mean by accountability?
Capture participants' ideas on a new flipchart. Ask follow-up questions
and discuss, to ensure participants understand the concept.
 Can you share some examples from your work?
Session Guide 1.2.3 Quality and accountability (Casework 3)
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5 mins
Discuss
accountability
definition
5 mins


Who are we accountable to?
What are we accountable for?
Show Slide #7:
 HAP definition: Accountability is the means by which power is
used responsibly. Humanitarian accountability involves taking
account of, and accounting to, disaster survivors.
Check if participants are familiar with HAP (Humanitarian Accountability
Partnership) and if not briefly introduce this and the other key
accountability initiatives (HAP, Sphere, ALNAP, People in Aid). Refer
participants to websites for more information (see workbook page #).
Link back to
other sessions
and
competency
framework
2 mins
Remind participants that:
 In session 2.2.2, we talked about the Good Enough Guide and
engaging with communities. How we engage with communities is
a central part of how we are accountable
 In session 1.1.3, we looked at how we assess needs and Sphere
standards which also help us ensure quality and accountability
 Highlight key behaviours relating to quality and accountability in
the competency framework
Activity 2: Case study – Identifying quality and accountability strategies
40 mins
Group work –
quality and
accountability
case study
40 mins
Divide participants into five groups of four, using the same groups as
in sessions 1.1.3 and 1.1.4.
Refer participants to workbook page #42-43. Ask groups to review
the case study and answer the following questions (Slide 7):
 What will you do now to improve the quality and accountability of
ABC-Aid’s response?
 What should ABC-Aid have done two months ago – right from
the beginning of the response – to ensure quality and
accountability and avoid the current situation?
Refer participants to the examples of accountability frameworks on
workbook pages # for ideas, if they are stuck.
Activity 3: Plenary discussion – report back and conclusion
30 mins
Report back on
group work
25 mins
Ask the first group to report back with one key point for Question 1,
then rotate around the groups with each adding one new point (without
repeating any points already given by other groups). Once the new
ideas have been exhausted, repeat the process for Question 2.
Ask another facilitator to note key findings on a flipchart.
Discuss any issues or questions arising, including any actual
experiences participants have had.
Session Guide 1.2.3 Quality and accountability (Casework 3)
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Conclude with
key messages
5 mins
Summarise the group work highlighting the practical strategies
participants have identified to ensure quality and accountability.
Emphasise that:
 quality and accountability need to be addressed immediately and
not left for someone else to clean up months later
 it is a continual challenge to improve the quality of the response
and meet the needs of crisis-affected people more effectively
 initial good programme design is very important and so is
addressing problems as they arise
Conclude by referring participants to the examples of accountability
frameworks and information about quality and accountability initiatives
on workbook pages #44-48.
Session Guide 1.2.3 Quality and accountability (Casework 3)
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