Complex Missions

IDS offers international research and development services supporting complex missions such as humanitarian and disaster relief operations, security force assistance training, stability operations, and human domain research and expertise.

Providing capacity building in trouble spots across the globe, IDS is leader in field-based research and evaluation projects in Afghanistan. Known for the quality and current qualifications of our analysts and experts, IDS employees have typically recently returned from mid- and senior-level assignments in conflict zones, from the State Department to the United Nations to a NGOs. Our experts help US government agencies and personnel to better understand the complexities of 21st century conflict — across civilian and military agencies and from the sub-state to transnational environment. In addition to our Subject Matter Experts, IDS currently has over 200 Afghan Local Nationals available throughout Afghanistan conducting assessments and monitoring tasks.

IDS has applied social science methods (quantitative and qualitative), systems and experts to achieve cultural understanding of the local population through public opinion research and analysis. Our research office in Kabul is led by a PhD level expat who oversees a team of Afghan Local National with PhDs and M.A.s in quantitative and qualitative research methods and design, who assist in the management and implementation of the surveys. Survey teams are recruited and trained from across all provinces and districts in Afghanistan which enables research collection in even the most non-permissive environments.

Our Approach

IDS conducts instrument testing in the field prior to launching survey operations. Survey teams conduct scalable survey operations throughout Afghanistan, ranging in size from single-district surveys to national surveys covering all 34 provinces of Afghanistan. Research teams lead focus groups and conduct interviews with subject matter experts (SMEs). IDS analysts work with survey data to answer research questions and produce final reports. IDS has established a trained functional network of locally recruited SMEs to respond to requests for information. This network provides the capability to conduct research collection across 34 Provinces in Afghanistan on a wide range of topics including economics, governance, corruption, development, tribal issues, and rule of law.

IDS is currently performing on the Department of State’s Flexible Implementation and Assessment Team (FIAT), where our team provides technically trained Afghan Local Nationals with the skills, cultural knowledge, linguistic capability and flexibility to travel around Afghanistan to conduct implementation, assessment, and monitoring tasks assigned by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL).

In support of USAID’s Monitoring Support Project, IDS vets and hires qualified Afghan Local National personnel who conduct monitoring and verification services and technical assistance throughout nine of Afghanistan’s Southern and Western provinces.

Additionally, IDS has performed on the following programs; Afghanistan Peace and Reintegration Program (APRP) Capacity Training Program (CTP), Human Terrain Systems (HTS), Baseline Monitoring for USAID’s Office of Agriculture (OAG) Agricultural Assistance Programming, Public Opinion Research for Regional Afghan Municipalities Program for Urban Populations-South (RAMP UP-South), and the Women in Conflict-Prone Communities.

COVID-19 Actions and Initiatives

Navigating the COVID-19 crisis is a global challenge. Government, industry, institutions, and individuals all have a role to play to save lives and allow us to reopen the economy safely.

IDS is contributing our capabilities in three ways:

• Data research to better understand the effectiveness of policies and guidelines on behaviors like wearing masks, washing hands, and physical distancing.
• Recruiting and training public health workers to do contact tracing, case work, education, and other key steps needed to mitigate the risk of transmission.
• Identifying and integrating technologies that can support public health best practices and help agencies and companies reopen as safely as possible.