Training of Trainers (ToT)
on Sphere Minimum Standards
January 20-26, 2013
Hanoi, Vietnam
Church World Service-Pakistan/Afghanistan
Church World Service-Pakistan/Afghanistan is an international nongovernmental
organization which implements humanitarian and development activities across Pakistan
and Afghanistan. Since 1954, CWS-P/A has worked for the development and relief of
marginalized communities on the basis that all individuals irrespective of race, faith, color,
sex, economic status, or political opinion have the right to choose how to live. The
organization assists communities to achieve economic prosperity and improve human and
social capital through participatory endeavors, which liberate families and enhance their
capacities to take control over their lives. Committed to quality performance, human rights,
right to access information, and right to complain, CWS-P/A ensures that its humanitarian
and development initiatives provide communities with their pertinent right and authority
over resources.
Projects are organized out of its three programs: Capacity Building Program, Disaster
Management Program, and Social Development Program. CWS-P/A’s thematic priorities
include: disaster management; water, sanitation, and the environment; health; education;
livelihoods; peace and governance; and quality and accountability.
Globally, CWS-P/A is part of CWS, Inc. and is registered with both the governments of
Pakistan and Afghanistan. Locally, it has a distinct identity through its advisory board,
diverse national staff, and strong linkages with local/regional networks and partnerships. It
has offices across Pakistan and Afghanistan and a network of close to four hundred
partners.
CWS-P/A is ISO 9001:2000 (revised to ISO 9001:2008) accredited and certified in USAID
management standards. It is a member of the Humanitarian Accountability Partnership
(HAP), People in Aid, the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA), and the ACT
Alliance and is an associate member of Asian Disaster Reduction and Response Network
(ADRRN). It achieved HAP certification in 2011. CWS-P/A is both the Country Focal Point in
Pakistan and the Regional Partner in Asia for Sphere. CWS-P/A is also a signatory to the
Red Cross/Red Crescent Code of Conduct for NGOs in Disaster Relief.
CWS-P/A has provided technical support and guidance on Sphere to numerous
humanitarian agencies in Asia. Among others, CWS-P/A is committed to promoting Sphere
Standards and ensuring that its latest 2011 edition is widely applied. This is a formalized
form of support, given its role as Sphere Regional Partner and having signed the MoU
between CWS-P/A and Sphere Office in Geneva in December 2010.
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Oxfam in Vietnam
Oxfam is an international confederation of 17 organizations networked together in 94
countries, as part of a global movement for change, to build a future free from the injustice
of poverty.
In Vietnam, Oxfam is recognised as one of the leading international NGOs, especially in
rural development, humanitarian response, disaster risk reduction, preparedness and
response, civil society development, ethnic minorities, and women’s empowerment. This
recognition was built on a long history of Oxfam’s operation in the country starting in 1955
where the organisation made the first grant, and continued with other humanitarian
responses in the 1970’s and development works in the 1980’s. Most of its member
organisations set up representative offices in the early 1990’s, and since, together with
other international organisations, have contributed significantly to poverty reduction and
economic development of Vietnam.
The International Federation for Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
(IFRC) in Vietnam:
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's
largest humanitarian network that reaches 150 million people in 187 National Societies
through the work of over 13 million volunteers.
Together, we act before, during and after disasters and health emergencies to meet the
needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. We do so without discrimination as to
nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions.
Guided by Strategy 2020 – our collective plan of action to tackle the major humanitarian
and development challenges of this decade – we are committed, in this fast-changing world,
to ‘saving lives and changing minds’.
Our strength is in our volunteer network, our community-based expertise and our ability to
give a global voice to vulnerable people. By improving humanitarian standards, working as
partners in development, responding to disasters, supporting healthier and safer
communities, we help reduce vulnerabilities, strengthen resilience and foster a culture of
peace around the world.
The Sphere Working Group (SWG) in Vietnam
The Sphere Working Group (SWG) in Vietnam comprising of Oxfam, IFRC/VNRC, UNICEF,
UNDP, Save the Children, Plan, WHO, World Vision, HSPH, HFHV, and CARE, have been
established to facilitate this important initiative.
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REPORT
Sphere Training of Trainers (ToT)
January 20 – 26, 2013, Hanoi, Vietnam
1. Introduction
In July 2012, 3,000 Sphere handbooks version 2011 were reproduced in Vietnamese
and were disseminated widely in the humanitarian actor community. The initiative was
a joint work by Oxfam and members of Disaster Management Working Group (DMWG)
in Vietnam with strong commitment to promote application of Sphere guidelines and
minimum standards to enhance quality and accountability in humanitarian responses.
Sphere Working Group members agreed to put collective efforts on awareness raising
and capacity building of Sphere, hence the decision to conduct a Sphere Training of
Trainers (ToT) course on 20-26 January 2013. Oxfam in Vietnam, the International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and Church World Service
Pakistan/ Afghanistan have come together to host a training of trainers on the newly
developed SHPERE 2011 to assist in developing the capacity of humanitarian
practitioners.
This TOT was the first one conducted using the latest edition of Sphere handbook
(2011) in Vietnam. The new training materials for Sphere introduction, Protection
Principles and humanitarian charter were used by the facilitator team as an inspiration
to design their specific sessions.
This report is a summary of the background, specific objectives, training activities, key
content, session observation, feedbacks and evaluations of the Sphere Training of
Trainers (ToT) held in Hanoi, Vietnam with input from all the trainers and TOT
coordinator. The agenda, list of participants, and schedule of participant-led sessions
are attached as appendices. All the training materials including materials produced by
participants in the participant-led sessions were distributed to all the participants on a
CD drive at the end of the training. Detailed documentation of each session was also
provided to the participants.
2. Background
The impact of humanitarian work on communities depends
greatly upon the quality of services and accountability of
actions both during emergency and non-emergency times.
With millions of people affected by disasters and conflicts in
Asia, the importance of Quality and Accountability (Q&A)
initiative such as Sphere Humanitarian Charter and Minimum
Standards in Disaster Response (Sphere Standards) is
undeniable.
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The Sphere Project is a voluntary initiative that brings a wide range of humanitarian
agencies together around a common aim - to improve the quality of humanitarian
assistance and the accountability of humanitarian actors to their constituents, donors
and affected populations. The Sphere Handbook, Humanitarian Charter and Minimum
Standards in Humanitarian Response, is one of the most widely known and
internationally recognized sets of common principles and universal minimum standards
in life-saving areas of humanitarian response. Established in 1997, the Sphere Project is
not a membership organization. Governed by a Board composed of representatives of
global networks of humanitarian agencies, the Sphere Project today is a vibrant
community of humanitarian response practitioners.
3. Trainers and Guest Speakers
Technical support in the form of trainers was provided by CWS-P/A, World Vision Korea
and Peace Boat Japan.
Uma Narayanan, the lead trainer specializes in human resources and organizational
development for medium to large scale organizations in the humanitarian sector. She
worked as an Organization Development (OD) and Human Resources (HR) practitioner
mostly in Southeast Asia and South Asia, for more than a decade with organizations like
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. She has been directly
and indirectly working in disaster operations in her capacity as an HR and OD
practitioner. She has carried out numerous assignments on program reviews,
evaluations, lessons learned exercises and organizational assessments. Her recent
assignment with Church World Service-Pakistan/Afghanistan has been to promote
quality and accountability in Asia including conducting trainings in Sphere and HAP. As
a Trainer, Uma has organized, designed, co-facilitated and facilitated over 100
workshops and training sessions both locally and internationally for various
organizations.
Mr. Dang Van Tao, specialist in disaster management including both disaster response
and disaster risk reduction. He has worked for IFRC Vietnam delegation since 1997 and
learnt Sphere since 2000 with the first 1998 version. He has applied Sphere standards
in the Vietnam context from 1998 to 2009 for storm and flood response operations. He
has also been involved in translation of Sphere version 2004 and 2011, and played as
Sphere trainer for DMWG and VNRC training courses. In addition, he is a regional
trainer for DRR field school and Vulnerability, Capacity Analysis (VCA) for SEA regional.
Tao obtained a graduate certificate in emergency management from Sturt University in
2004 and also completed his global humanitarian leadership training in 2012 by Save
the Children Australia and AusAID.
Mr. Vu Xuan Viet, the training coordinator, specializes in emergency preparedness,
emergency response, disaster risk reduction, and partnership development. He
currently works as Emergency Response Manager for Oxfam in Vietnam. He received
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his first Sphere training in 2003 and coordinated the reproduction of Sphere Handbook
2011 into Vietnamese together with Sphere Working Group in Vietnam.
Guest speakers from the Sphere Working Group shared their experience in the
following sessions:
Humanitarian Charter: Mr. Le Van Duong, National Humanitarian and
Emergency Affairs Coordinator, World Vision International in Vietnam
Protection Principles: Mr. Nguyen Trong Ninh, Senior Program Manager, Childcentered Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, Plan
International in Vietnam
WASH: Mr. Provash Chandra Mondal, Humanitarian Programme Coordinator,
Oxfam in Vietnam
Shelter and Settlement: Mr. Vu Ngoc Kien, Specialist, Disaster Management
Department, National Vietnam Red Cross
Health Action: Dr. Vu Quang Hieu, World Health Organization in Vietnam
(WHO)
4. Management Team
The ToT was managed and administered by Vu Xuan Viet, Emergency Response
Manager, Oxfam in Vietnam. Do Minh Thu, Intern from Humanitarian Programme team,
Oxfam in Vietnam was part of the management team, providing the administrative,
training logistics and translation support when required.
5. Venue
The training was held at the National Assembly Guest House in Hanoi and was a nonresidential course. At least 50% of the participants came from Hanoi while others were
from North, Central and South of Vietnam and stayed at the same venue. The training
started at 8.30am and ended at 5.00pm.
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6. Aims and Objectives
The goal of this training is to assist participants to apply and promote Sphere learning
as a tool for improving the quality and accountability of humanitarian actions by
sharing, learning and practicing (See Appendix 1: Agenda), as below:
Explore how to apply the Sphere Handbook as a tool for disaster response
Describe the structure and content of the Sphere Handbook
State the principles of adult learning and apply them to designing and running a
Sphere learning event
Design and deliver a basic level of Sphere training
Demonstrate a range of training and facilitation skills
Prepare for running Sphere learning events
7. Participants
There was a total of 22 participants with equal gender balance. 11 participants
represented the Sphere Working group and the remaining participants represented the
humanitarian partners (See Appendix 2: List of Participants). Despite the criteria for the
ToT, 60% of the participants did not have any prior knowledge or experience using the
Sphere Handbook.
8. Methodology
The training included a wide variety of methods, including presentations, participatory
exercises, case studies, group discussions, role plays and films. The participants were
asked to complete a pre-training assignment refreshing their knowledge on Sphere, to
help them prepare for the ToT.
As the aim of the course was to train trainers, all the participants planned and delivered
a short 45-50 minute session (in groups of two), which was filmed and was then given
to the participants at the end of the course.
The training was carried out mainly in Vietnamese. A Vietnamese Sphere Handbook was
used by all participants for reference throughout the ToT.
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9. Content and Proceedings
Below is the daily summary of the sessions carried out throughout the training course.
9.1 Day 1
a. Introduction and Opening (led by Vu Xuan Viet)
The training was formally opened by Andy Baker, Country Director of Oxfam in
Vietnam who gave a brief welcome remark to the participants. In his remarks, he
stated that 3,000 copies of Sphere Handbook Vietnamese version was produced in
July 2012 and was initiated by the Sphere Working Group in Vietnam. He
underscored that Sphere is important to improve the quality and accountability of
humanitarian assistance in Vietnam and that the ToT is not only for the participants
to learn but to make them advocates of Sphere and train others.
To break the ice and to get to know each other better, participants’ introduction
session was carried out.
ToT objectives were shared with participants. The participants were briefed on what
will transpire in the next seven (07) days and the roles that each one will play
throughout the training. Participants were encouraged to choose a day to conduct
their participant led presentations. Participants also identified the daily review and
recap sessions they would lead.
b. Quality and Accountability (Q & A) Initiatives
Participants were asked to state the disasters that have been experienced in Vietnam
in the last two decades. Participants observed the patterns of disaster as well as the
changes in the ways disaster response is carried out. Generally participants
acknowledged the positive changes in the ways the humanitarian sector is
responding to disasters in Vietnam. Nevertheless some challenges were identified
and this included issues of quality and accountability.
Following that, some of the commonly used quality and accountability tools (INEE,
HAP, SEEP, PiA, ALNAP and ECB) were introduced to the participants. These tools,
although having different mandate, share the similar aspirations which is to improve
the service delivery and accountability. It was found that very few participants were
aware of all the Q&A initiatives presented. An overview of each initiative was
presented by trainers.
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Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) Minimum
Standards for Education: Preparedness, Response, Recovery
Small Enterprise Education and Promotion (SEEP)
Livestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards (LEGS)
People in Aid
Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance (ALNAP)
Emergency Capacity Building (ECB)
It was discussed that all these initiatives operate during disaster and work in
response, recovery or beyond. Protection of the lives of people and their rights is
also a common area of concern among these initiatives. More importantly, it was
agreed that these initiatives complement each other and that there is no one
initiative that is more exclusive than the other.
c. History of Sphere
The objective of the session was to refresh their memories on the history and
background of Sphere Project. It started with a short video clip
(http://www.youtube.com/user/TheSphereProject) to introduce how the response
from humanitarian sectors intervened in Rwanda Genocide, followed by the
instruction on the joint evaluation and issues addressed.
The characteristics of 2011 version were introduced and groups provided examples
to show how minimum standards, key actions, key indicators and guidance notes
linked with each other.
9.2 Day 2
Day 2 started with the review of Day 1. Day 2 explored the chapter on protection
principles and technical chapters.
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a. Cross Cutting Themes
A quick review of cross cutting issues
was carried out. At first, participants
identified the kinds of cross cutting
themes which exist, and why they are
important in humanitarian response
and development field. Participants
discussed in groups how cross cutting
themes are applied in work.
Children
Disaster Risk Reduction
Environment
Gender
HIV and AIDS
Older People
Persons with Disabilities
Psychosocial Support








b. Humanitarian Charter
To reinforce learning of the above topic, participants were given a case study.
Participants worked in small groups on the roles and responsibilities of the key
stakeholders such as national authorities, INGOs, UN agencies and affected
population. Legal and ethical sources that inform these roles and rights were
discussed in plenary.
The outcome of this exercise suggests
that most participants need to deepen
their
understanding
of
the
Humanitarian Charter. A suggested
answer sheet to the case study
illustrating the rights and duties of
different stakeholders was provided.



Right to a life with dignity
Right to receive humanitarian
assistance
Right to protection and
security
c. Code of Conduct
Participants read the IFRC Code of Conduct and reflected to what extent one can
comply or adapt to the code in specific contexts. Participants discussed the
challenges of implementing the Code of Conduct and examples of how the code
could be used in the humanitarian work and in their work. Numerous examples
were cited by the participants, including challenges to apply them in Vietnam as
well.
d. Core Standards
Participants were divided into 6
groups. Each group was given a
core standard and asked not to
share it with the other groups.
Each group was then asked to
present a role play of the
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People-centered Humanitarian Response
Coordination and Collaboration
Assessment
Design and Response
Performance, Transparency and Learning
Aid Worker Performance
selected core standard within a minute. Each group presented the core standards in
a creative way.
Key messages in each core standard were emphasized. Core standards describe
processes that are essential to achieving all the minimum standards of Sphere.
e. Protection Principles
The new chapter on Protection
Principles in the Sphere Handbook
Avoid exposing people to further harm
was introduced. It was noted that the
Ensure people have access to impartial
assistance
Protection
Principles
are
the
Protect people from physical and
responsibility of all agencies, not only
psychological harm arising from
the ones with specific mandate in
violence and coercion
protection. Protection principles are to
Assist people to claim their rights,
be applied in both disaster and conflict
access available remedies and recover
contexts. The safety and security of
from the effects of abuse
beneficiaries, non-beneficiaries and
humanitarian actors are core concerns
in all responses to both natural disasters and armed conflicts.
Following the brief introduction, the guest speakers shared organizational
experiences of applying protection principles in the Vietnam context.
9.3 Day 3
Day three focused on the technical chapters.
a. Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion
The session started with ‘toilet break’. Participants formed 4 gender balanced
groups. They were asked to do a rapid assessment of the venue regarding WASH.
They checked the venue, especially the toilet, water point, sanitation facilities, etc
on the basis of WASH sector. After rapid assessment, each team was asked to
present what they found. In conclusion of ‘toilet break’, participants reviewed
what WASH sector included in the Sphere handbook.
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An experience sharing session was carried out by the guest speaker who shared
the process, challenges and achievements of WASH project that is implemented
with consideration of Sphere minimum standards.
b. Food Security, Nutrition and Food Aid
The session started with a brief introduction of the chapter with some key
definition on food security, nutrition and the chapter structures (since it is the
thickest chapter of over 100 pages) to see how it links to other technical chapters
and the general chapters. Participants were divided into 4 groups to do group
work on a flood case study in Vietnam, referring to chapter standards and
indicators to make a response plan. Several reading documents were shared to
help participants to calculate 2,100kcal into number of foods etc. There was no
guest speaker for this session therefore participants representing VN Red Cross,
Oxfam and Care shared their own experience in food aid in Vietnam and on how
to manage the supply chain to ensure food aid quality and quantity also ensuring
both food security and nutrition. Participants discussed how cash grand and cash
for work link to Food aid program.
c. Shelter, Settlement and Non-Food Items
The session started with a speaker from VNRC sharing his experience in using
Sphere for shelter and non-food items assistance from building materials
through design, construction and discussion with beneficiaries to have a house
adapted to a local climate, use of local materials and including water, toilet etc.
Participants were divided into four groups to work on shelter, settlement
assistance and non–food items assistance in a flooding case study. Participants
were requested to use Sphere standards to make a response plan and discuss
those plans with local authorities about what is right and how to improve those
plans. Participants also shared practical experiences in shelter and non-food
items assistance in Vietnam. Ten problems in shelter and non-food items have
been shared to participants.
d. Health Action
Health structure of this technical chapter was introduced to the participants in
brief. After this brief introduction, participants were divided into groups. Each
group worked on a health problem given. Participants identified the solution in
the health chapter.
The exercises afforded participants to become more familiar with utilization of
the Health Action chapter specifically and the Sphere handbook broadly in
humanitarian response.
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9.4 Day 4
Day four focused on trainer’s competencies.
a. Training Cycle
In this session, the overview of a training cycle and its link to Sphere trainings
was presented to the participants. The training cycle served as a reminder to
participants who were already trainers in their own capacity. Participants
conducted an exercise on listing the sequence of planning a training event. It was
emphasized that there is a need to be clear of problems that participantsorganizations wished to address when implementing Sphere trainings or other
events. Participants were also reminded that they should not confine only to
Sphere training or orientation sessions, but may design and deliver other Sphere
initiatives or activities as seen relevant and befitting the context.
Participants were asked to sit in their respective organizations where possible
and list ways of conducting training needs analysis upon return. This was
followed by a session on stakeholder analysis where participants analysed the
potential target audience they will work with upon completion of the Sphere ToT.
Overall, participants representing various organizations were able to list down
the specific target audience they would work with, such as:
Internal stakeholder i.e. staff and senior management of respective
organizations; this is seen as the first step by all participants
Sphere basic training will be provided to partner organizations of
participating organizations and that included INGO, NGO and CBO
Government authorities
The format of a session plan was shared with all participants whereby
description of objectives, method, duration and resources needed for each
session were further discussed. Participants were asked to use the session plan
template to design the participant-led session.
b. Adult Learning Principles
This session was aimed at increasing participants’ awareness on the adult
learning principles and the various learning styles so as to allow a Sphere trainer
to design the training accordingly. Kolb’s experiential learning cycle was
introduced following which four different learning styles were placed around the
room. Participants were requested to select the tendency of their preferred style
from ‘reflector’, ’theorist’, ‘pragmatist’ and ‘activist’. There was representation
of all styles in the group, with activists being the largest representation.
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Participants realized and acknowledged that their methods usually correspond
with their own learning style. For example, a participant that is an ‘activist’ upon
reflection realized that her tendency was to use methods that are highly
interactive and ‘active’, often leaving no room for reflection. Participants realized
the importance of understanding one’s own learning style, to identify one’s
biases and strengths as well as recognizing target audience’s learning style. This
allows a Sphere trainer to adapt and change the training depending on
participants’ needs.
c. Giving and Receiving Feedback
Participants have been shared materials relevant to giving and receiving
feedback. Participants have also practiced their giving and receiving feedbacks
methods. They reflected on their feedbacks given and received during previous
sessions.
The key principles in ‘giving and receiving feedbacks’ are:
 Constructive
 Specific
 Soft wording
 Short and clear
 Right time and location
 Acceptance
 Open
 Calm attitude
A feedback form was given to participants to know how to give feedbacks on the
participant-led sessions with specific guidance to give feedbacks.
d. Training Tips
Flipcharts were placed around the room with the following headings:
Tips on organizing a training
Tips on how to get people in groups for group exercises
Tips on using flip charts
Tips on using Microsoft PowerPoint
Sources of information for trainers: Books, networks, websites, other
resources
Participants, in small groups, went round the flipcharts and added to each
other’s suggestions, until they had added to all of them, then reviewed the main
points in plenary. Training tips were written up with additions from the trainers.
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e. Preparation for Participant-led Sessions
Participants were asked to select a preferred session they would like to carry out
during the participant-led session. The following sessions were offered and
selected by participants (See Appendix 3: Participant Led Session):
What is Sphere?
Introduction to Humanitarian Charter
WASH
Food Security and Nutrition
Shelter, Settlement and NFIs
Health Action
Sphere in Disaster Preparedness
Use of Sphere in Monitoring and Evaluation
Participants were given a few hours to prepare for their sessions. Trainers
provided guidance and support when requested.
9.5 Day 5 and Day 6
Participants used a variety of interactive methods during their sessions and made
them context-specific, linking it to the disasters and challenges faced in Vietnam.
Each group started with a self-review and identified their strengths and areas for
improvement. Feedbacks were provided at the end of each session by fellow
participants and trainers.
A debrief of the whole day was carried out at the end of the participant-led sessions.
The debrief allowed participants to reflect on the key learning messages of the day.
In addition, unanswered questions during the sessions were highlighted and
responded to during the reflection session on the last day of the training.
Overall, the participant-led sessions were found useful. Participants gained much
confidence through these sessions.
9.6 Day 7
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a. Evaluating Sphere Trainings
Kirk Patrick’s evaluation model was shared with participants. Participants were
divided into four groups and each group was asked to brainstorm (what, why, when,
how, who) on these four different levels:
Reaction
Learning
Performance
Impact
Participants realized that the higher the level, the harder it was to measure the
success of the Sphere initiatives. The tendency is often to gauge the ‘reactionary’
level during workshop. Follow-ups and other forms of activities to measure the
impact of the trainings are often neglected for various plausible reasons including
lack of funds, lack of resources or lack of expertise to evaluate these different levels.
b. Pre-Training Assignment
The pre-training assignment was discussed in detail with the participants.
Participants recognized and realized the errors in their assignments.
10. Conclusion
The closing remarks were provided by Provash Chandra Mondal, Humanitarian
Programme Coordinator of Oxfam in Vietnam, emphasizing the need to strengthen
local capacity of Sphere Trainers to roll-out Sphere trainings to local government,
staff and partners of humanitarian agencies.
11. Plan of Action
Participants discussed a one year action plan pending discussion and approval with
their supervisors and leadership (See Appendix 3: Plan of Action). In summary, some
of the common activities planned by participants include training and orientating
their respective ‘internal stakeholders’ including staff members. Additional support
required include copies of Sphere Handbooks in Vietnamese language, support in
facilitation resources and funding, etc.
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12. Evaluation of the Workshop
Participants were divided into two groups and asked to discuss the positives and
negatives of the ToT (See Appendix5: Summary of Evaluation).
13. Observations and Recommendations
Following are the general observations and recommendations from the trainers:
The use of Guest Speakers to share experience based on the topics of their
expertise and context added a great value to the overall ToT.
Generally, the profiles of the participants were of junior to middle
management level where the tendency was to absorb the learning more than
to challenge and debate.
It is recommended that continuous capacity building is provided so as to
ensure that these trainers are equipped with the relevant competencies as
Sphere trainers. Ways of ensuring continuous support to the ToT graduates
may be discussed at the Sphere Working Group. This includes data
management where Sphere related soft copy material is stored at a central
location for easy access by those who need.
All the right ingredients allowed for the smooth running of the ToT including
excellent cooperation between Oxfam in Vietnam, IFRC and CWS-P/A;
excellent management support provided by Oxfam in Vietnam; enthusiastic
participants; strong team of trainers; and a conducive environment for the
ToT.
Follow up and follow up support should be carried out to ensure continuity
of this initiative. The plan of action may be used as a basis for follow up.
Although efforts were taken to contextualize the material and translate it into
Vietnamese, a significant amount of the material was in English thus limiting
participants’ smooth comprehension. For example, a few participants failed
to complete the pre-ToT assignment due to language barrier. More resources
need to be set aside to ensure all materials are translated into the local
language.
Since it was a non-residential training, some participants were occasionally
‘distracted’ with work related tasks and had to go to the office before or after
the training. However, this was kept to the minimal so to ensure that the flow
of the training was not disrupted.
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The Sphere Handbook Vietnamese version is not bound properly, leading to
pages constantly falling off the book. The next round of production is
proposed to use a stronger bind.
14. Appendices
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Appendix 1:
Agenda
Appendix 2:
List of Participants
Appendix 3:
Schedule Participant-led Session
Appendix 4:
Plan of Action
Appendix 5:
Summary of Evaluation
Appendix 1:
Agenda
Monday, 21/1
Tuesday, 22/1
Wednesday,
23/1
Thursday, 24/1
Friday, 25/1
Saturday, 26/1
8.30
Review
Review
Review
Review
Review
Review
8.45
Humanitarian
Charter
(World Vision)
Principles of
Adult Learning
Preparation for
participant-led
session
Participant-led
Session
Applying Sphere
in Your Work
( Experience Sharing)
Coffee
Coffee
Coffee
Coffee
Training Methods
& Tips
Participant-led
Session
Participant-led
Session
Monitoring &
Evaluation of Sphere
Trainings
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
Participant-led
Session
Participant-led
Session
Pre-training
Assignment; Sphere
Website
Tea
Tea
Tea
Time
10.00
Sunday, 20/1
Starting @
1.30pm
Coffee
Code of Conduct
Core Standards
10.20
12.00
Lunch
Protection
Principles
Experience
Sharing (PLAN)
Technical
Chapter 2:
Food Security,
Nutrition & Food
Aid (SCiV)
Coffee
Technical
Chapter 3:
Shelter,
Settlement, NFI
(IFRC)
Lunch
1.00
Welcome &
Opening
Quality &
Accountability
Initiatives
3.00
Tea
Tea
Tea
History of
Sphere Cross
Cutting Issues
Technical Chapter
1: WASH
Experience
Sharing
(UNICEF/ Oxfam)
Applying Sphere
in Your Work
(Experience
Sharing)
Recap & Daily
Feedback
Recap & Daily
Feedback
Recap & Daily
Feedback
3.20
4.45
Technical
Chapter 4:
Health Services
(WHO/HSPH)
Trainer’s Roles &
Competencies
Tea
Quiz
Preparation for
participant-led
session
16.00 – 17.30
FGD on JSI (TOT
Graduates and
Guests)
Participant-led
Session
Participant-led
Session
Evaluation, Closure,
Follow Up, Action
Plan, Certificate
Recap & Daily
Review
Recap & Daily
Review
Appendix 2:
No
List of Participants
Name
Gender
Male
Female
I
Sphere WG members (11)
1
Tran Manh Hung
M
2
3
4
Son Thanh Phuc
Chu Thanh Hoa
Le Huu Minh
M
5
Organization
Designation
Telephone/
Mobile
E-mail
CARE Int't in Vietnam
Emergency Response
Coordinator
+84 4 3716 1930
[email protected]
Project Officer in Charge
Project Officer
Vietnam Red Cross Trainer
+84 91 813 6715
+84 94 402 0055
+84 94 226 2919
[email protected]
M
WV Int'l in Vietnam
Spanish Red Cross
Quang Tri Red Cross
Nguyen Mau Thuong
M
Quang Binh Red Cross
Vietnam Red Cross Trainer
+84 90 583 8789
[email protected]
6
Hoang Luong
M
Hai Phong Red Cross
Vietnam Red Cross Trainer
+84 91 425 8755
[email protected]
7
Nguyen Thi Thu Ha
Thanh Hoa Red Cross
Vietnam Red Cross Trainer
+84 97 727 0200
[email protected]
8
9
10
Nguyen Huu Suu
Nguyen Thi Hien
Doan Quang Tri
M
Vietnam Red Cross Trainer
Vietnam Red Cross Trainer
Vietnam Red Cross Trainer
+84 90 520 1511
+84 91 370 6334
+84 91 401 9699
[email protected]
11
Vu Ngoc Kien
M
Phu Yen Red Cross
Ninh Thuan Red Cross
TT- Hue Red Cross
Disaster Management
Dept., VNRC
Vietnam Red Cross Trainer
+84 98 299 1979
[email protected]
II
Humanitarian Partners (8)
1
Vi Hai Nam
Catholic Relief Services
(CRS)
Project Officer
+84 91 601 1281
[email protected]
2
Le Thu Thao
F
Center of Live&Learn for
Envt. & Community
Edu. & Training Program
Officer
+84 98 227 1180
[email protected]
3
Ha Cam Tam
F
WSPA
Project Manager
+84 90 406 9129
[email protected]
4
Nguyen Thi Thu Trang
F
MCD
Head of Projects
Management
+84 98 836 6070
[email protected]
5
Le Thanh Hai
MCD
Community based
Ecotourism Coordinator
+84 98 827 2947
[email protected]
6
Hoang Anh Tho
Women Union
Specialist
+84 91 262 2845
[email protected]
F
F
F
M
M
M
F
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
7
Nguyen Lan Anh
8
Nguyen Ba Hiep
III
F
M
Disaster Management
Centre (DMC)
Specialist
+84 98 870 7116
[email protected]
People's Aid Coordinating
Committee (PACCOM)
North American Desk
+84 4 3843 6936
[email protected]
Oxfam in Vietnam (2)
1
Phan Thi Lien Huong
F
Oxfam
Humanitarian Program
Officer
+84 90 446 1817
[email protected]
2
Luong Thi Nhu Oanh
F
Oxfam
Humanitarian MEAL
Program Officer
+84 90 414 9179
[email protected]
Management Team (3)
Uma Narayanan
F
CWS P/A
Lead Facilitator
IV
1
[email protected]
2
Dang Van Tao
M
IFRC
DRR Program Manager,
Co-facilitator
+84 91 336 1581
[email protected]
3
Vu Xuan Viet
M
Oxfam
Training Coordinator
+84 90 888 6399
[email protected]
4
Do Minh Thu
Oxfam
Humanitarian Program
Intern (Logistics and
Translation Support)
+84 98 486 8481
[email protected]
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F
Appendix 3:
Schedule of Participant-led Session
PARTICIPANT-LED SESSIONS
SPHERE TRAINING OF TRAINERS (25-26 Janurary 2013)
Venue: National Assembly Guest House, No. 27A, Tran Hung Dao st., Hanoi, Vietnam
No
Topic/ Session
I
What is Sphere?
1
Mr. Nguyen Ba Hiep
2
Ms. Nguyen Thi Hien
II
Introduction to Humanitarian Charter
1
Mr. Tran Manh Hung
2
Ms. Ha Cam Tam
Gender
Male
Female
Participant-led Session Schedule
25th
26th
9.30-10.20
M
F
10.45 – 11.35
M
F
III Use of Sphere in water supply, sanitation and hygiene promotion programmes (WASH) 13.00 - 13.50
1
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha
F
2
Ms. Le Thu Thao
F
3
Mr. Hoang Luong
IV
M
Use of Sphere in food security, nutrition and food aid programmes
14.15 – 15.05
1
Mr. Vu Ngoc Kien
M
2
Mr. Nguyen Huu Suu
M
3
Ms. Nguyen Lan Anh
V
Use of Sphere in shelter, settlement and non-food items programmes
F
1
Mr. Le Huu Minh
M
2
Mr. Nguyen Mau Thuong
M
3
Mr. Doan Quang Tri
M
9.00-9.50
VI Use of Sphere in health action
10.30 - 11.20
1
Ms. Phan Thi Lien Huong
F
2
Mr. Le Thanh Hai
M
3
Mr. Son Thanh Phuc
M
VII Use of Sphere in disaster preparedness
13.00-13.50
1
Ms. Chu Thanh Hoa
F
2
Ms. Hoang Anh Tho
F
3
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Trang
F
VIII Use of Sphere in monitoring and evaluation
1
Ms. Luong Nhu Oanh
2
Mr. Vi Hai Nam
14.15 - 15.05
F
M
Appendix 4:
Plan of Action (February 2013 – January 2014)

National Vietnam Red Cross shall organize a Sphere Introduction Workshop in Hai
Phong city, Vietnam by end April, 2013;

Provincial Red Cross Chapters of Phu Yen, Ninh Thuan, and Hai Phong will seek
financial and technical support from Vietnam Red Cross, IFRC and iNGOs to roll-out
a number of Sphere trainings in these 3 provinces during the period of June - August
2013. Target audience will be provincial and district Red Cross staff who hold
disaster preparedness and response responsibilities. Specific request for support
includes Sphere translated handbooks and additional training facilitators who
graduated from this ToT course (4-6 ToT-trained trainers);

Participants from government agencies (Disaster Management Centre (DMC),
People’s Aid Coordinating Committee - PACCOM), and National Vietnam Women
Union (VWU)) are committed to advocate raising awareness for DMC/PACCOM VWU
leaders and staff on application of humanitarian charter and Sphere minimum
standards in WU activities and decision making on aid coordination and response
planning at national and sub-national levels;

Participants from international and national NGOs are committed to hold follow-up
orientation sessions with their colleagues within their organizations;

Participants from international and national NGOs are willing to integrate Sphere in
programme and project activities and raise awareness of partners about the
importance of appropriate humanitarian delivery referring to Sphere minimum
standards;

All participants are committed to share their knowledge and skills that they have
obtained from this training with their fellow colleagues, team members, relevant
partners and communities in their programme areas.
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Appendix 5:
Summary of Evaluation
Positive points:

Good organization and logistics;

Training contents are appropriate to participants’ needs;

Appropriate and attractive training methodologies;

Trainers are enthusiastic and accountable;

Appropriate design of the training processes;

Participants are active and participative.
Areas of improvement:

ToT graduates should be given longer time for participant-led sessions (e.g. 1 day);

Training venue should have been designed out of Hanoi;

More exercises on technical chapters (water and sanitation, food security and
nutrition, shelter, settlement and non-food items, and health action) are required;

An additional field visit during the training process is suggested so that participants
can involve in a practical simulation;

A follow-up support mechanism between ToT graduates and the facilitation team
should be created and maintained. All participants then agreed to set up a Sphere
group on Facebook to exchange information and support if required;

Some participants who participated in Sphere training for the first time expressed
the need for further enhanced trainings on Sphere technical issues to obtain deeper
technical knowledge which will enable them to act confidently as Sphere trainers in
the future.
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