Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability Training, Ethiopia, 4-7 December 2024

I. Background
SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia (SOS CVE) is organizing a Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) training to provide an intensive four-day session on the revised CHS 2024 for members of the Dutch Relief Alliance (DRA).

The Dutch Relief Alliance (DRA) is a partnership of Dutch humanitarian organizations collaborating with the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since 2015, the DRA has supported over 100 local organizations globally, delivering humanitarian aid to more than 4 million people across 22 crises. Recent Ethiopia responses include Acute Crisis Joint Responses (e.g., Desert Locust, COVID-19, Tigray, and drought emergencies) and the 2024 Protracted Crisis Joint Response in Oromia and Amhara Regions.
SOS CVE, affiliated with SOS Children’s Villages International, has over 45 years of experience supporting children and communities in Ethiopia. The organization leads multi-sectoral humanitarian projects in regions such as North Wollo, North Shewa, Tigray, Borena, and East Hararghe. SOS CVE has been coordinating the Ethiopia Joint Response (EJR) since 2022, ensuring donor compliance and effective implementation.

II. Objectives
This training aims to strengthen the capacity of humanitarian staff to understand and apply the revised CHS 2024 standards to ensure quality, accountability, and effectiveness in project implementation. The objectives are:
1. To enhance participants’ understanding of the rationale, structure, and revisions in the CHS 2024.
2. To familiarize participants with the nine CHS commitments, their associated requirements, and practical application in project design, implementation, and monitoring.
3. To equip participants with the skills to conduct self-assessments and prepare for CHS certification.

By the end of the training, participants will have the knowledge and tools to integrate CHS standards into their day-to-day humanitarian work, improving outcomes for affected communities.

III. Scope of the Training
The training will cover the following key areas:
• Introduction to CHS and Its Relevance: Overview of CHS, its significance in humanitarian work, and how the 2024 revisions address emerging sector challenges.
• Understanding the Rationale Behind the Revisions: Key changes in CHS 2024 and their implications for humanitarian projects.
• Navigating the CHS Booklet: Practical guidance on using the CHS booklet to access commitments and requirements effectively.
• Exploration of the Nine Commitments: Detailed discussions, real-world examples, and case studies to illustrate practical applications.
• CHS Requirements with Practical Experiences: Insights into meeting CHS requirements, supported by lessons from previous humanitarian interventions.
• Self-Assessment and Certification: Step-by-step guidance on conducting CHS self-assessments and preparing for certification.
• Delivery Approach: The training will use participatory methods, including presentations, group discussions, practical exercises, and case studies to enhance engagement and learning.

IV. Participants
The training is designed for MEAL and program staff involved in humanitarian response, including implementing members of the Dutch Relief Alliance, Ethiopia Joint Response and local partners. Participating organizations include:
• DRA Members: SOS CVE, Plan International, Tearfund, Cordaid and Terre des Hommes
• Local Partners: Mahiber Hiwot for Social Development (MSD), Positive Action for Development (PAD), African Network for the Prevention and Protection Against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN), HUNDEE, Tesfa Birhan Child and Family Development Organization, Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church Development Commission (EKHCDC), Strategies for Northern Development (SND).

V. Facilitator Profile
SOS CVE has signed a contractual agreement with SEGEL Research and Training Consulting PLC, appointing Dr. Amha Ermias (Ph.D.) as the designated facilitator for the training. Dr. Amha will be responsible for managing all aspects of the training, including contact management, design, delivery, facilitation, and reporting. His professional profile is outlined below:

Sphere and CHS 2024 Approved Trainer | Humanitarian Expert
Dr. Amha Ermias is a highly experienced trainer and consultant with over 18 years of expertise in humanitarian and development programs across Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia, and South Sudan. He is an approved Sphere and Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) trainer and has facilitated over 35 CHS trainings since 2014.

Dr. Amha holds a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Development and additional credentials in Development and Management, Public Policy, and Business Management. His career includes work with leading organizations like the UNDP, UNICEF, UNHCR, ICRC, USAID, and Oxfam, focusing on areas such as WASH, food security, child protection, and disaster risk reduction.
His achievements include:
• Facilitating Sphere and CHS Training of Trainers (ToTs) in Ethiopia for organizations such as the Dutch Relief Alliance (DRA) and CAFOD, Trocaire, and SCIAF (CST).
• Consulting on Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) systems to improve community feedback integration in humanitarian projects.
• Supporting capacity-building programs for over 42 organizations under the Consortium of Christian Relief and Development Association (CCRDA).

Dr. Amha specializes in participatory training approaches, ensuring that participants gain practical skills to apply humanitarian standards effectively in their work.