CONCEPT NOTE
INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ON INTEGRATED FOOD SECURITY PHASE CLASSIFICATION (IPC) PROTOCOLS FOR ACUTE MALNUTRITION
COURSE BACKGROUND
Acute malnutrition remains a critical public health and humanitarian concern, affecting millions globally. Effective and timely responses to malnutrition crises depend fundamentally on accurate, standardized, and comparable analyses of its severity and drivers. However, inconsistencies in data collection, analysis methodologies, and reporting can significantly hinder effective humanitarian and development interventions, leading to misallocation of resources and delayed assistance to those most in need. There is a persistent demand for robust, globally recognized tools that can provide actionable evidence for decision-makers.
ECAS Institute, a leader in capacity building for humanitarian and development professionals, recognizes this crucial need for standardized analytical skills in acute malnutrition assessment. Committed to strengthening evidence-based programming, ECAS offers this course to empower professionals with the practical expertise required to utilize the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) framework effectively. ECAS’s dedication to equipping practitioners with cutting-edge tools ensures that analysis of acute malnutrition is both rigorous and directly applicable to on-the-ground response.
This course is specifically designed to address the gap in practical application of IPC protocols for acute malnutrition. It provides comprehensive, step-by-step guidance on completing the protocols for each of the four key IPC functions, including specialized considerations for challenging operational environments. By offering this specialized training, ECAS aims to contribute to more accurate classifications, better-informed decisions, and ultimately, more effective responses to acute malnutrition crises worldwide.
COURSE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- Understand the purpose and critical role of the four IPC functions for acute malnutrition: building technical consensus, classifying severity and identifying key drivers, communicating for action, and quality assurance.
- Demonstrate proficiency in completing all the protocols associated with each of the four IPC functions.
- Apply special protocols for areas with limited or no humanitarian access to ensure accurate classification in challenging contexts.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
This course will provide participants with a practical and in-depth understanding of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) framework as it applies to acute malnutrition. You will learn:
- The foundational principles and strategic importance of the four core functions of IPC for acute malnutrition analysis.
- A step-by-step methodology for executing each protocol within the IPC framework, ensuring technical rigor and consistency.
- Specific techniques and considerations for conducting IPC analyses in complex environments where humanitarian access is restricted.
- How to contribute effectively to IPC processes at global, regional, or country levels, supporting evidence-based decision-making for acute malnutrition response.
DURATION AND PROGRAM
TARGET PARTICIPANTS
The course is aimed at a diverse range of professionals who are currently involved in or aspire to be involved in IPC activities at global, regional, or country levels. This includes:
- Food Security and Nutrition Analysts: Professionals responsible for data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
- Local Officers: Government or NGO staff working at sub-national or community levels involved in monitoring and assessment.
- Sectoral Experts: Specialists from health, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), livelihoods, and other sectors contributing to malnutrition analysis.
- Communication Officers: Professionals involved in disseminating IPC findings to various stakeholders for advocacy and action.
TRAINING MODULES
The course is divided into four comprehensive sections, each corresponding to a core function of the IPC framework for acute malnutrition
| No | Module | Details | |
| 1. | Build Technical Consensus |
This section introduces the foundational phase of any IPC analysis, emphasizing the importance of establishing a shared understanding and agreement among diverse technical experts. It covers the methodologies for bringing together different data sets and perspectives to form a coherent analytical basis.
The key objective include:
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| 2. | Classify Severity & Identify Key Drivers |
This module delves into the core analytical process of the IPC, focusing on how to systematically classify the severity of acute malnutrition and identify the underlying factors contributing to it. Participants will learn the structured steps and criteria for robust classification.
The key objectives include;
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| 3. | Communicate for Action |
Effective communication of IPC findings is crucial for translating analysis into impactful action. This section focuses on the protocols for clearly and concisely conveying classification results and key recommendations to various stakeholders, ensuring the information prompts appropriate humanitarian and development responses.
The key objective include:
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| 4. | Quality Assurance |
Ensuring the reliability and credibility of IPC analyses is paramount. This final module covers the essential protocols for quality assurance, providing participants with the knowledge and tools to review and validate IPC processes and outputs, thereby maintaining the integrity of the classifications.
The key objectives include:
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TRAINING STYLE
The modules will be taught through PowerPoint presentations, and lectures and will include a case study/field visit, breakout sessions, case studies and other interactive discussion components.
The course will also include a few guest speakers, both in person and via Zoom and other online learning platforms for overseas speakers. This provides useful real-world insights alongside the more theoretical aspects of the course.
The conference faculty shall consist of experienced decision makers, as well as practitioners and representatives from established educational and research institutions active around climate change, engineering and international development. Throughout the course, theoretical presentation of concepts will be moderated and more group discussions and plenary engagements will be optimized. PowerPoint presentations will be made by facilitators and resource persons, to highlight key concepts before embarking on group work.
GENERAL NOTES
- Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.
- Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be issued with a certificate.
- We can also do this as a tailor-made course to meet organization-wide needs. Contact us to find out more: info@ecasiafrica.org.
- Payment should be sent to our bank account before the start of training and proof of payment sent to: info@ecasiafrica.org.
ABOUT ECAS INSTITUTE
The ECAS Institute designs and delivers independent and targeted training, research, and consulting services. Our work focusses on climate change and resilience building, carbon markets, renewable energy, nature-based solution, biodiversity conservation, agriculture and food systems, We are located in Nairobi Kenya and work across the African region. We have implemented training and research assignments in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Malawi, Rwanda, Congo, and South Africa. Globally, we have supported our partners from the UK, Denmark, Italy, Sweden, Germany, and USA.