Situational Analysis: Informing Contextual Livelihood Programming PRACTITIONER GUIDE

The project aims to increase the awareness of all stakeholders as actors of change, from the national level to the community level, through a situational analysis (SA). A situational analysis provides a critical understanding of an array of interrelated factors, including contextual vulnerabilities, societal gender and cultural norms related to adherence and retention in HIV care patterns, economic strengthening, livelihoods, and food security (ES/L/FS). The analysis of these interrelated factors through an SA helps to inform a more context-specific approach to the design of livelihood programs. The SA process examines five major contextual factors: 1) policy environment, 2) availability of and access to health, nutrition, and ES/L/FS, 3) community networks and cultural beliefs, 4) market actors and private-sector players, and 5) gender. The SA consists of two major sections: national-and sub-national/community-level analysis. The SA informs a context-specific approach to designing livelihood programs, and its results inform decisions on customizing LIFT's approach to specific countries and local communities. Furthermore, the SA also supports the development of national capacity and the policymaking processes. The LIFT project engages an extensive pool of stakeholders, including individuals, government partners, public institutions, and private organizations, as a first step to understanding the availability and accessibility of HIV- and AIDS-related services for affected populations. The SA is the starting point for program design, and its results inform decisions on customizing LIFT's approach to specific countries and local communities. The SA is a critical tool for increasing the awareness of all stakeholders as actors of change, from the national level to the community level. It provides a critical understanding of an array of interrelated factors, including contextual vulnerabilities, societal gender and cultural norms related to adherence and retention in HIV care patterns, economic strengthening, livelihoods, and food security (ES/L/FS). The LIFT project aims to improve the food and livelihood security of vulnerable households, with a particular focus on PLHIV, OVC, and their caregivers. The project provides technical assistance and strategic support to US government agencies, their implementing partners, and other public, private, and civil society partners to achieve this goal. The SA is a critical component of the LIFT project, and its results inform decisions on customizing LIFT's approach to specific countries and local communities. The SA also supports the development of national capacity and the policymaking processes. The SA process examines five major contextual factors: 1) policy environment, 2) availability of and access to health, nutrition, and ES/L/FS, 3) community networks and cultural beliefs, 4) market actors and private-sector players, and 5)