Lucy Billings REGIONAL WORKSHOP SPIR II Learning Event Co-organized by IFPRI, USAID, CARE, ORDA, and World Vision MAY 16, 2023 - 9:00AM TO MAY 17, 2023 - 5:00PM EAT

1. SPIR II RFSA | 2023 Learning Event
SPIR II RFSA Learning Agenda
Lucy Billings
Poverty, Gender and Inclusion Unit
International Food Policy Research Institute

2. SPIR II learning objectives
Generate rapid evidence to inform the program design
and implementation of the SPIR II RFSA
Establish new evidence on the impact and cost
effectiveness of specific project components
Build partnerships and strengthen the community of
practice of Ethiopian-based researchers and institutions

3. SPIR II CLA approach
• Intentional learning and
integration
• Adaptative
implementation
• Collaboration with
partners

4. SPIR II
learning
agenda
components
Formative studies and pilot
studies
Evaluation studies of SPIR II
project components
SPIR II competitive grants
program
M&E Systems

5. Formative studies and pilot studies
Study Sample Methodology Timing
Barriers to enrollment in secondary
school in Ethiopia
Oromia: East Hararghe & West
Hararghe Zones
FGDs with youth,
teachers and parents
(n=24)
Mar. 2022
Gender assessment Oromia: West Hararghe Zone
Amhara: North Wollo & Wag Himra
Zones
FDGs with men and
women (n=42) and KIIs
with officials (n=52)
2022
Barriers to adoption of optimal
complementary feeding practices in
Ethiopia
Oromia: East Hararghe & West
Hararghe Zones
FGDs with mothers,
fathers and
grandmothers (n=16)
May 2022
Gender and participation in
sustainable land management
Amhara: Lasta & Sekota
Oromia: Dara Lebu Gemechis
(4 watersheds)
FGDs with women,
men and development
agents
Dec. 2022
Pilot testing Nurturing Care Group
materials
Oromia: Dira Dawa FGDs with mothers
(n=15)
Aug. 2022
PSNP clients’ perceptions of social
cohesion in the regions of Amhara
and Oromia, Ethiopia
Amhara: Ayna Bugina
Oromia: Daro Lebu
(6 kebeles)
IDIs with PSNP clients
and kebele leaders
(n=51)
Aug.2022

6. Evaluation studies of project components
Study Sample Y1 Y2 Y3 Y4 Y5
Evaluation of Group Problem Management Plus pilot n=2,416
Baseline survey Q4
Endline survey Q1
1Y post intervention follow-up Q4
Evaluation of secondary school scholarships n=2,141
Baseline survey Q2
Endline survey Q4
Sustainable Land Management evaluation n=1,900
Baseline survey Q3
Endline survey Q1
Evaluation or Nurturing Care Groups – IMPEL study n=3,015
Baseline survey Q4
Midline survey Q4
Endline survey Q4

7. Competitive research grant program
• Open call for proposals in PY1 Q2
• Over 100 research proposals submitted and screened for eligibility
and quality
• 43 proposals retained and reviewed by internal and external
reviewers with topical and methodological expertise
• 6 studies awarded funding for a total value of USD 266,292

8. Small research grant studies
Studies Topic Institution Research lead Methods
The impact of livestock feed shortage on agricultural
productivity and its potential country-wide impact on
poverty in Ethiopia
Livelihoods Addis Ababa
University
Gebeyehu Fetene, PhD
Zewdu Ayalew Abro, PhD
Secondary
data analysis
Stressful life events and mental health outcomes among
Productive Safety Net Program ( PSNP) beneficiaries in
Ethiopia: The moderating role of distress tolerance
Mental
health
Addis Ababa
University
Mulat Asnake Goshu, PhD Quantitative
Enhancing the impacts of gender training: Encouraging
men to share the load through repeated remote
reinforcement messaging
Women’s
wellbeing
EconInsight
Center for
Development
Research
Tigabu Getahun, PhD
Ellen McCullough, PhD
Tamara McGavock PhD
Thomas Assefa PhD
Quantitative
The impact of conflict on gender-based violence,
intimate partner violence and mental health and
psychosocial support of women victims
Mental
health
Ethiopian
Public Health
Association
Negussie Deyessa, PhD
Yonas Bahretibeb, PhD
Tigist Zerihun, PhD
Mixed method
Sustainable Land Management in the Amhara and
Oromia Regions
SLM Hawassa
University
Samuel Jilo, PhD Qualitative
Determinants of maternal nutrition practices in Ethiopia:
a qualitative study
Nutrition Integrated
Health Care
Service
Netsanet Fetene, MD,
Ph.D
Qualitative

9. SPIR II M&E
Systems
Monitoring - routine monitoring
and participant-based surveys
Qualitative inquiry planning
Quantitative surveys at baseline,
midline and endline