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

Monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) are part of everyday programme management and are critical to the success of all programmes. MEAL technical quality is very important across a portfolio of projects. Without an effective MEAL system we would be unable to track progress, make adjustments, discover unplanned effects of programmes, or judge 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 programme implementation. This training introduces participants to MEAL concepts and practices. It will stimulate ideas on how to design and implement monitoring and evaluation processes that strengthen accountability and learning, and so promote project, programme and strategy effectiveness. You will be provided with an interactive Trainee Manual during orientation

Who should attend

This is a cross-cutting programme designed for those who are involved or tasked with the design, implementation management and of monitoring, evaluation accountability and Learning of public and private programmes and other interventions. More specifically, the following people will find the course of value to: Researchers and consultants tasked with evaluation studies, M&E officers in government, industry and civil society organizations, Project managers in government research and planning units and directorates, NGO employees involved in social, health and educational research activities, Social policy analysts and advisers, Social science methodology lecturers, Other interested individuals from public and private sectors.

Requirements

Participants should be reasonably proficient in English. Applicants must live up to Livecode admission criteria

Duration

10 Days

Course objectives

The training will enable participants to;

- Develop an understanding about 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

- Supporting the development of MEAL work pieces such as program baselines, mid-term reviews and end lines

- Equip participants with an understanding of the major tools and best practices involved in MEAL

- Provide participants effective rules of thumb and a framework to approach methodological issues in MEAL

- Collect data, ensure data quality management and analyses the data

- Understand project reporting by using.

The participants will also get opportunity to interact with practical monitoring and evaluation cases from our consultants with over 10 years’ experience.

Course content

Module 1 :Introduction Monitoring & Evaluation

• M&E and the project/programme cycle
• Importance of M&E Purposes and uses of M&E Identifying gaps in M&E
• Barriers to effective M&E 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.
• Practical Exercise

Module 2: Frameworks and MEAL Cycle

• Frameworks and approaches informing MEAL
• Design logic models that later become the foundations of MEAL in projects.These tools include the Theory of Change, Results Frameworks, and Logical Frameworks (logframes);
• 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
• Practical Exercise.

Module 3: 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’s and application Identifying project/programme goals.
• Identifying project/programme indicators and targets.
• Selecting data collection methods and data sources for prioritised indicators in your MEAL plan.
• Decide upon your data analysis, quality assurance/validation and management strategy.
• Identify your strategy for reporting and disseminating data.
• MEAL Budgeting Activities based MEAL budgeting.
• Components of the Budget Exercise: MEAL Plan and corresponding budget.
• Practical Exercise

Module 4: Accountability and Learning

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

Module 5: Baseline and evaluation design and management

• The purpose and use of baselines and evaluations.
• Purpose and use of needs assessments, situation analysis, Baselines, evaluations and real-time reviews.
• Importance of baseline for monitoring and evaluation.
• Steps in planning and undertaking baselines and evaluations.
• Practical Exercise.

Module 6: Survey Planning and Implementation.

• Types of surveys
• The survey design and process
• Methods of survey sampling and determining the Sample size
• Data collection techniques and tools Designing survey questionnaires
• Pretesting research tools for Validity and Reliability
• Conducting the survey After the survey Exercise: Planning for a survey
• Practical Exercise

Module 7: 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
• Practical Exercise

Module 8: Data quality Management in Meal .

• Tabulation and graphical presentation of data (SPSS/Stata/R).
• Data quality Management.
• Types of variables (Numerical, discrete variables, dummy variables, Entering categorical and continuous data Defining and labeling variables.
• Validation and Sorting variables
• Transforming, recoding 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
• Practical Exercise

Module 9: Data analysis and interpretation in Meal projects  by using (SPSS/Stata/R).

• Descriptive statistics using tables and graphs in presentation.
• Testing for correlation and regression assumptions (Normality tests, linearity tests, multicollinearity, heteroscedasticity, homoscedasticity tests and their interpretations.
• If all assumptions are met run correlation and regression analysis for single and multiple predicator variables and their interpretations.
• What to do if the assumptions  above  fails.
• Hypothesis testing Comparing Means, t-tests and One way Anova, Two way Anova, Manova and Ancova and their applications in development projects
• Partial correlation holding one variable constant and assessing the effects of other remaining variables on the outcome variables.
• Application of hierarchical linear regression and its application for testing intervening and moderating variables in regression analysis.
• Practical Exercise

Module 10: Project reporting through MEAL.

• Use of MEAL data in Reporting Communication activities to partners and stakeholders.
• Lessons learned Decisions making Recap.

Tailor-made courses 

This training course can also be tailored for your organization. This way, your organization will benefit by: 

• Using your own datasets and tools during the training.
• Being able to choose areas of interest you wish the trainer to put more emphasis on.
• Taking the course in-house or at a venue of choice.
• Cutting on the cost of transport and accommodation.

REQUIREMENTS

Participants should be reasonably proficient in English.

METHODOLOGY

The instructor led trainings are delivered using a blended learning approach and comprises of presentations, guided sessions of practical exercise, web based tutorials and group work. Our facilitators are seasoned industry experts with years of experience, working as professional and trainers in these fields.

All facilitation and course materials will be offered in English. The participants should be reasonably proficient in English.

All facilitation and course materials will be offered in English. Participants should be reasonably proficient in English.

Accreditation

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a certificate of participation.

 Training venue

The training is residential and will be held at the Livecode Technologies Training Centre in Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, lunch, and study visits.

All participants will additionally cater for their, travel expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.

 Accommodation

Accommodation is arranged upon request. For reservations contact the Training Officer.

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mobile Number: +254 725 771 853

Training fee

The course fee is KES 140,000.00 or USD 2,000.00 exclusive of VAT. The course fees covers the course tuition, training materials, two (2) break refreshments, lunch and study visits. Participants will cater for their travel and accommodation costs.

Payment

Payment should be transferred to Livecode Technologies account through Kenya Commercial bank on or before the course starting date.

Send proof of payment to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tailor- Made

This scheduled course can also be tailored for your organization. To find out how our tailor-made training can help your organization, contact our team through This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please Note: The program content shown here is for guidance purposes only. Our continuous course improvement process may lead to changes in topics and course structure.