Implementing a Results-Based M&E System

Date:16-18 March 2010

Objective and methodology

Southern Hemisphere has for some years now been leading in the design of M&E systems in South Africa. Our experience is drawn from a range of different clients, including NGO’s, South African Government and multi-lateral organisations. Learning by doing has given us very practical insights into the steps to follow and each step is designed to maximise commitment and compliance. As you know, the best system needs the commitment of people to implement it. The objective of this course in M&E system design is to equip development practitioners with the knowledge and expertise to be able to design and manage a process of developing and operationalising (implementing) a M&E System.

This course builds on the foundations of our course in Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, which has been hugely successful, and kicks off where that course ends.  The course will provide a space for development practitioners to learn from each other by sharing knowledge and experiences.  It presupposes basic knowledge in M&E. The training course will be run in a workshop style with a high degree of participant involvement. Group work will be interspersed with an input sessions.  Adult learning methodologies will be employed, and participants will not be passive. Debate and discussion will be encouraged.  The trainers are expert facilitators, and while they will be sharing their own experiences of PM&E with you, they do not pretend to have all the answers.  Under their guidance, the participants will also be able to learn from and share with each other. 

Delegates will be able to
 Understand the components of an M&E system
 Understand what supporting institutional arrangements need to be in place for successful monitoring, evaluation and reporting
 Understand how to operationalise the M&E system i.e. how to make your M&E plan come alive
 Be familiar with the process of implementing an M&E system
 Be aware of the challenges and solutions for getting compliance to your data collection, analysis and reporting
 See the benefit of participatory approaches to design
 Have an overview of the Government Wide M&E System
 Understand who your key partners are in M&E
 Be able to identify roles and responsibilities for M&E role players.
 Develop a means of verification
 Develop reporting formats
 Conduct a stakeholder and situation analysis for the design of an M&E system

Course outline
 Overview of an monitoring and evaluation system (M&E System)
 What are the necessary foundations for a M&E system
 7 steps to developing a M&E system
 Preparation
o Step 1: Building commitment and cooperation
o Step 2: Conducting a situation analysis for the design of a M&E system
 Design
o Step 3: Methods for designing the M&E plan
o Step 4: Design of M&E forms (means of verification)
o Step 5: Design of reporting formats
 Standardisation
o Step 6: Developing guidelines for indicator definitions, data gathering, analysis and reporting
 Institutional arrangements for implementation and use of M&E data
o Step 7: Institutional arrangements
o Hints and tips for successful design & implementation of a M&E system

Requirements
Participants should have a solid understanding of basic concepts in M&E and know how to develop M&E plans, including the identification of indicators & means of verification.  To achieve the outcomes above full participation is required.  There will be no passive learning.  Participants will get opportunities to share their experiences, challenges and solutions for the implementation of monitoring, evaluation and reporting systems.  The expected outcomes from each module will focus the discussion and learning.

About the trainers:
Nana Davies has a background in Human Rights law (Masters in Law at the University of Copenhagen). Nana has been work¬ing in the development field as a specialist in planning, monitoring and evaluation throughout Africa. She is a skilled researcher, evaluator, facilitator and trainer. She co-founded Nielson and Klein in 1994 after working for NGOs in Denmark and South Africa, and has completed her Attorney’s Admission Exams in South Africa. Nana has recently facilitated the development of the strategic plan and the monitoring and evaluation plan for The Heinrich Böll Foundation, Southern Africa.

Cathy Chames is a Senior Consultant and holds an MA in Social Development, and her focus areas include children, HIV & AIDS, youth development, peer mediation and conflict management. She is a skilled researcher, trainer, facilitator and evaluator. Cathy has recently evaluated the Ke Moja substance abuse programme for the Western Cape Department of Social Development.

Course Fee
Fee per delegates: R 5, 000 (excl. VAT). Course fee includes comprehensive course materials, refreshments & lunch and certificate. A reduction of 10% per delegates will be offered for organisations or departments that send 3 or more delegates.

Registration
Register now or before Friday 5 March 2010. Registration form and further information can be requested:
By email:          training@southernhemisphere.co.za
By Phone:         (021) 422 0205 (Speak to Nadia or Pippa)
By Fax:             (021) 424 7965
Visit our website on: www.southernhemisphere.co.za

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