Needs Assessments in the Field of SSG/R

The next step of the assessment process is to collect primary data in the country in question. The in-country assessment will be based on the preparatory analysis and tailored to fill the information gaps identified and/or to test the validity of the assumptions made about priority needs. The in-country assessment should include meetings with national and international stakeholders, who represent a variety of areas relevant to the assessment, including national authorities (beneficiaries), civil society organizations and other non-state actors (academia, think tanks, research groups), international actors active in the sector. In the OSCE context, the most common methods of primary data collection in the area of SSG/R include semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Occasionally, processes and procedures may also be observed.

Inclusive approach to stakeholder engagement and interviews: Assessments in the area of SSG/R must be inclusive when selecting interlocutors and should seek to engage both those providing SSG/R assistance and those benefiting from such support. As the perceptions and security needs within and outside the capital may differ significantly, efforts should also be made to meet with relevant representatives from regional and rural areas. When organizing meetings, representatives of the following categories of interlocutors should be included: security sector officials, civil society and other non-state actors, oversight actors, international actors, and OSCE field staff. For additional information, see section 3.2.1 of Chapter 4 of the Guidelines.

Primary data collection: Primary data should be collected on the basis of the questions developed during the preparatory phase. The purpose is to collect data that is not available in the secondary and primary sources collected through the desk research. In the OSCE context, this will be usually done through semi-structured interviews and/or focus groups. Several important points should be kept in mind when using these methods. First, the same set of questions need to be asked of all respondents representing the same groups so that the data collected can be compared and triangulated. Second, to capture all information, thorough notes are required. Respondents should always be made aware that all information they provide will be treated as confidential and anonymous. If possible, the interviewer should be accompanied by a dedicated note taker. Finally, when conducting interviews with persons in vulnerable situations, the do-no-harm principle must always be strictly followed. For additional information, see section 3.2.2 of Chapter 4 of the Guidelines.