Training Course on Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) in Development Projects

Course Description

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) are essential components of day-to-day program and project management and are critical to the success of any program. The quality of MEAL is very crucial across all projects. An effective MEAL system will help in:

• Tracking progress,
• Make adjustments,
• Discover unplanned effects of programs,
• Judging the impact that we have made on the lives of those with whom we are working.

A MEAL system also helps individuals and teams to be accountable to stakeholders through information sharing and developing a complaints or feedback mechanism which can help to guide program and project implementation. This Training Course on Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) in Development Projects offered by Phoenix Center for Policy, Research and Training will introduce participants to MEAL concepts and practices.  It is intended to stimulate thinking on how to design and implement monitoring and evaluation processes that strengthen accountability and learning, which will promote project, program and strategy effectiveness.

Course Objectives

Upon the successful completion of this Training Course on Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) in Development Projects, participants will be able to:

• Understand the basic principles underlying MEAL
• Design and implement MEAL strategies, systems, and frameworks
• Develop and support the use of MEAL tools and practices in program development
• Support the development of MEAL work pieces such as program baselines, mid-term reviews and end lines
• Understand the major tools and best practices involved in MEAL
• Understand the rules of thumb and a framework to approach methodological issues in MEAL
• Effectively collect data, ensure data quality management and analysis
• Understand project reporting by using MEAL

Training Methodology

The course is designed to be highly interactive, challenging and stimulating. It will be an instructor led training and will be delivered using a blended learning approach comprising of presentations, discussions, guided sessions of practical exercise, case study review, web-based tutorials, group work, exploration of relevant issues collaborative strength training, performance measurement, and workshops of participants’ displays, all of which adhere to the highest standards of training. The training technique is built on learning by doing, with lecturers using a learner-centered approach to engage participants and provide tasks that allow them to apply what they’ve learned. Experiential knowledge is also given equal importance within the format of training. Our facilitators are seasoned industry professionals with years of expertise in their chosen fields. All facilitation and course materials will be offered in English.

Who Should Attend?

This Training Course on Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) in Development Projects would be suitable for, but not limited to program and project staff in NGOs, Project Managers, Government Officers, Policy Makers and any other person involved in development projects.

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction Monitoring & Evaluation

• M&E and the project/program cycle
• Importance of M&E
• Purposes and uses of M&E
• Identifying gaps in M&E
• Barriers to effective M&E

Module 2: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Overview

• Introduction to MEAL
• MEAL Components
• Purposes and functions of MEAL
• MEAL approach
• How MEAL changes M&E
• Challenges to MEAL

Module 3: Frameworks and MEAL Cycle

• Frameworks and approaches informing MEAL
• The language used in MEAL
• The MEAL cycle
• Exploring key elements of a MEAL plan
• Defining indicators
• Designing, implementation and management of a MEAL framework

Module 4: MEAL Planning and Budgeting

• MEAL Planning

  • Planning and budgeting of MEAL
  • Planning and Budgeting relationship.
  • Tools for planned Monitoring and Evaluation activities
  • How do I get started? - Practical and application
  • Identifying project/program goals.
  • Identifying project/program indicators and targets.
  • Data collection methods
  • Data sources for prioritized indicators in your MEAL plan
  • Data analysis, quality assurance/validation, and management strategy.
  • Reporting and dissemination

• MEAL Budgeting

  • Activities based MEAL budgeting
  • Components of the Budget
  • Exercise: MEAL Plan and Corresponding Budget

Module 5: Accountability and Learning

• Meaning of accountability mean in practice
• Aspects of accountability.
• Importance of Accountability
• Information sharing
• Participation
• Handling Complaints
• Learning and its role
• Exercise: Incorporating Accountability and Learning in Projects

Module 6: Baseline Studies and Evaluation Design and Management

• Purpose and use of baseline studies and evaluations
• Purpose and use of needs assessments, situation analysis,
• Baseline studies, evaluations and real-time reviews
• Importance of baseline studies for monitoring and evaluation
• Steps in planning and undertaking baseline studies and evaluations

Module 7: Survey Planning and Implementation

• Types of surveys
• Survey design and process
• Sampling and determination of Sample size
• Data collection techniques and tools
• Designing survey questionnaires
• Pretesting research tools for Validity and Reliability
• Conducting the survey
• Post survey processes
• Exercise: Planning for a survey

Module 8: MEAL Data Collection: Mobile Based Data Collection (ODK)

• Introduction to mobile phone data collection
• Advantages and challenges of Mobile Applications
• Components of Open Data Kit (ODK)
• Install ODK Collect into mobile devices
• Designing and creating Forms
• ODK Aggregate Server
• Exercise: Mobile Based Data Collection using ODK

Module 9: Data Quality Assurance

• What is Data Quality?
• Why Data Quality?
• Data Quality Standards
• Data Flow and Data Quality
• Data Quality Assessments
• MEAL System Design for Data Quality

Module 10: Descriptive Statistics Using SPSS/STATA

• Types of variables (Numerical, discrete variables, dummy variables,
• Entering categorical and continuous data
• Defining and labeling variables
• Validation and Sorting variables
• Transforming, recording and computing variables
• Tabulation and graphical presentation of data
• Descriptive Statistics
• Frequency Tables
• Tables for categorical data
• Graphs and charts
• Exercise: Data Management, Graphing, and Tabulations
  

Module 11: Data Analysis and Interpretation Using SPSS/STATA

• Hypothesis testing
• Comparing Means
• Regression and Correlation analysis
• Interpreting the data
• Exercise: Data Analysis and interpretation

Module 12: Qualitative Data Analysis with NVivo

• Principles of Qualitative Data Analysis
• Data Preparation for Qualitative Analysis
• Thematic Analysis for Qualitative Data
• Content Analysis for Qualitative Data
• Manipulation and Analysis of Data Using NVivo

Module 13: Project Reporting Through MEAL

• Use of MEAL data in Reporting
• Communication activities to partners and stakeholders
• Lessons learned
• Decisions making
• Developing an Action Plan
  

Requirements

• Participants should be reasonably proficient in English.
• Applicants must live up to Phoenix Center for Policy, Research and Training admission criteria.

NOTE

1. Discounts: Organizations sponsoring Four Participants will have the 5th attend Free
2. What is catered for by the Course Fees: Fees cater for all requirements for the training – Learning materials, Lunches, Teas, Snacks and Certification. All participants will additionally cater for their travel and accommodation expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.
3. Certificate Awarded: Participants are awarded Certificates of Participation at the end of the training.
4. The program content shown here is for guidance purposes only. Our continuous course improvement process may lead to changes in topics and course structure.
5. Approval of Course: Our Programs are NITA Participating organizations can therefore claim reimbursement on fees paid in accordance with NITA Rules.

Booking for Training

Simply send an email to the Training Officer on training@phoenixtrainingcenter.com and we will send you a registration form. We advise you to book early to avoid missing a seat to this training.

Or call us on +254720272325 / +254737566961 

Payment Options

We provide 3 payment options, choose one for your convenience, and kindly make payments at least 5 days before the Training start date to reserve your seat:

1. Groups of 5 People and Above – Cheque Payments to: Phoenix Center for Policy, Research and Training Limited should be paid in advance, 5 days to the training.
2. Invoice: We can send a bill directly to you or your company.
3. Deposit directly into Bank Account (Account details provided upon request)

Cancellation Policy

1. Payment for all courses includes a registration fee, which is non-refundable, and equals 15% of the total sum of the course fee.
2. Participants may cancel attendance 14 days or more prior to the training commencement date.
3. No refunds will be made 14 days or less before the training commencement date. However, participants who are unable to attend may opt to attend a similar training course at a later date or send a substitute participant provided the participation criteria have been met.

Tailor Made Courses

This training course can also be customized for your institution upon request for a minimum of 5 participants. You can have it conducted at our Training Centre or at a convenient location. For further inquiries, please contact us on Tel: +254720272325 / +254737566961 or Email training@phoenixtrainingcenter.com  

Accommodation

Accommodation is arranged upon request and at extra cost. For reservations contact the Training Officer on Email: training@phoenixtrainingcenter.com or on Tel: +254720272325 / +254737566961