Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) is vital across the project cycle (design, planning, implementation, evaluation and dissemination). An effective MEAL system is one which provides timely and reliable information for learning to support implementation of project activities in an accurate manner through evidence based reporting as reported by the community among other stakeholders that we serve. Based on evidence gathered, project staffs are able to make informed decisions to guide the improvement of project performance aimed at addressing emerging issues from the community based on their needs.

MEAL provides opportunities to beneficiaries and partner communities to provide input into and perceptions of our work with open criticism and their suggestions based on their experiences and to adapt to changing needs. MEAL is essential to uphold accountability and compliance systems and to determine whether or not the programs implemented by us are carried out as agreed and in compliance with established standards and procedures.

Further, MEAL contributes to organizational learning and knowledge sharing within the organization and with external stakeholders including donor communities. It plays an integral part across the project cycle especially in supporting organizations to assess the impact of activities by highlighting accomplishments, achievements, and shortfalls of the interventions. It facilitates performance tracking and gaps identification whose information is used in resource mobilization.

Adeso Somalia MEAL team and other project staffs have been trained on cash based response and MEAL including the use of CT software’s and online data management platform. With the current debate on what an effective MEAL system should comprise, especially with innovations within the MEAL sector and CT programming, much still needs to be done so as to achieve effectiveness and efficiency in our programming. There is need to bring the Adeso Somalia staffs up to speed on the current thinking in MEAL and mainstreaming MEAL in our CT programming to ensure effective data collation, validation analysis and reporting.

Based on the above, Adeso MEAL unit intends to provide a training for its field based programme staffs (managers, project officers, Somalia country team management unit, M&E officers) on effective MEAL approaches. The training will look at how best Adeso can improve on its approaches based on its learning from the past looking at what has worked best within the organisation and within other implementing partners whose learning we can borrow. The training will also look at how best we can mainstream MEAL within our CT programmes in Somalia among especially on the current trend of innovation (web based platform and PDA data collection processes).

The purpose of the MEAL training will be to transfer advanced knowledge and build advanced skills in MEAL concepts and MEAL system design to Adeso staffs in Garowe, Somali. To some extent, this will be a refresher training but it is also expected that the consultant/firm will also bring on board new insights in MEAL based on the current debate/talk as informed by the current wave of innovation in MEAL.

Evidence Frontiers was expected to carry out and deliver on the following responsibilities:

1. Conduct a need assessment/capacity gaps whose finding shall be used to strengthen further the training modules and approaches
2. Work closely with Adeso M&E Manager in developing a training module as informed by the current MEAL practice within the organisation and learning from what has worked best in other organisations based on the Somali context. Specifically, the training modules should cut across the following key areas.

• • Mainstreaming MEAL across the Project Cycle: Based on our current learning within the organisation, how best can project staffs improve on its current practice of mainstreaming MEAL within the project cycle? How can we draw learning from others to improve our current practice? And most important, how can we make the learning more actionable?
  • MEAL Concepts: Provide insights/refresher on the current thinking on various MEAL approaches as used in humanitarian and development contexts. Specifically, this will look at.
    • Take the project staffs through the current thinking/talk on Theory of Change in planning and programme evaluation, Outcome Mapping, Results Based Management and Logical Framework Approaches.
    • An insight on effective Accountability approaches both to our stakeholders and the within the project staffs.
    • An insight on how can learning can be made more actionable based on the emerging evidence from our projects and learning from other organisations
    • Based on the learning from the current innovations, within the organisation, and other organisations, take the project staffs on how best to improve our current practice in data management practices (real time data collection among others)

3. Use interactive and inclusive approaches to conduct an effective five day training as informed by the training module
4. Draft a training report with key and actionable recommendations to be adapted by the project staffs in Somali

Interaction is critical for learner participation in training. Learning is at an optimum level when participants are able to share their knowledge with each other and apply their experience to understand new concepts presented through the training. The exercises and group work are meant to fulfil this purpose. To obtain feedback, question and answer technique was employed. Most activities were designed to conclude with “process questions” which helped the trainers to summarise and close the session as well as give participants an opportunity to share their ideas.

At the start of the training as well as the beginning of each session or activity the objective or purpose was clarified including describing the agenda. This was designed to give structure and direction to what the facilitator intended to do. For maximum participation, the facilitator responded to the needs expressed during the course.

The training took place at New Rays Hotel in Garowe, Somali land from 01st to 05th August 2016. The participants of the training included Project Managers, Senior Project Officers, Project Officers, Communication officers, Accountability Officers, MEAL Manager and Officers. The sessions covered the following areas:

DAY ONE:

Session 1: Welcome remarks from the Deputy Country Director – 05 Minutes

Session 2: Introduction – Participants and Facilitators – 05 Minutes

Session 3: Setting ground rules – 05 Minutes

Session 4: Expectations from participants – 05 Minutes

Session 5: Sharing workshop objectives by the facilitator – 10 Minutes

Session 6: Staffs Capacity Scan on Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) – 8 Hours

DAY TWO:

Session 7: Logical Framework and Theory of Change – 1 day

DAY THREE:

Session 8: Gender mainstreaming in programming – 3 ½ Hours

Session 9: Indicators and Real Time Data Management – 3 Hours

DAY FOUR:

Session 10: Mainstreaming Learning in Organisations and Programmes – 45 Minutes

Session 11: MEAL Tools across the Project Cycle – 1Hr 05Minutes

Session 12: Benefits of MEAL in Organisations and Programmes – 1hrs 10 Minutes

Session 13: Accountability/Community engagement – examples in CT Programmes – 1Hr 15 Minutes

DAY FIVE:

Session 14: Quality Reporting – 1 Hour 15 Minutes

Session 15: Data Presentation – 1 Hour 15 Minutes

Send an email to info@evidencefrontiers.com to request the full report.