Workshop Overview
The development ecosystem is placing increasing emphasis on the importance of effective Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) systems for accountability and transparency purposes. Robust MERL systems and frameworks, that employ locally led and participatory approaches, can significantly enhance the credibility and validity of an organisation and programme. As the development NGO sector faces new challenges in a changing geopolitical context and seeks to respond to the varying priorities of development partners, communicating outcomes, impact and lessons learned to those investing their resources is more important than ever.
This half-day training session is aimed at enhancing existing knowledge and skills that will build your capabilities in outcomes and performance reporting, moving away from reporting focused on activity, inputs and outputs into clearly communicating progress against intended outcomes and impact. The session will also cover cross-cutting themes such as Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) and climate change to strengthen reporting in the priority areas of Pacific country governments and development partners. MERL Specialists from Tetra Tech International Development’s in-house Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation (RME) Practice will share best practices and lessons learned from developing MERL systems and analysing outcomes and impact across Asia Pacific and for a variety of partners and clients.
The interactive 3-hour session will include opportunities for CID members, presenters, and members of the RME Practice to share and discuss in breakout rooms as well as in the plenary sessions. The session assumes participants already have a sound working knowledge of MERL, and will be focused on delving deeper into meeting the changing information needs of partners and decision-makers.
Benefits in Attending
Attending this training will enable participants to:
- Refresh and strengthen existing MERL systems for outcome reporting and management, including:
- Theory of Change and Logical Framing in practice – developing and applying change theory and logical pathways that consider GEDSI and climate change risks/objectives
- Adaptive Management – connecting the Theory of Change with data collection through MERL, and understanding and addressing barriers to inclusion and adaptation
- Indicators – selecting measures that support consistency, benchmarking and reporting on issues that development partners are interested in (e.g., climate change mitigation and adaptation indicators) and aligning with their priorities / frameworks
- Identify key characteristics of strong outcome reporting
- Build knowledge, skills, and confidence in storytelling and impact reporting
Who Would Benefit?
We anticipate the following participants will benefit from this 3-hour training:
- Intermediate to Advanced MERL specialists in international development
- Development project and programme managers
- Those interested in addressing challenges and complexities relating to:
- Logical framing of projects / programmes
- Aligning reporting systems with Results Frameworks
- Learning and adapting as a result of ongoing data collection
- Meaningfully integrating cross-cutting themes of GEDSI and climate change
- Documenting and communicating impact through various mediums.
Agenda
The training will be held online on Thursday 2nd November 2023 from 1:00PM to 4:00PM (New Zealand time)
Time |
Agenda |
Presenters |
|
1.00pm to 1.10pm |
Welcome / Overview of Purpose and Agenda |
Rachel George |
|
1.10pm to 1.50pm |
Session 1: Theory of Change and Logical Framing at the centre of design, reporting and adaptation |
Grace Nicholas & Marcel Kaba |
|
1.50pm to 2.00pm |
Session 1: Breakout Room Discussions |
RME Team |
|
2.00pm to 3.00pm |
Session 2: Selecting indicators for stronger outcome reporting (session conducted using Mural boards) |
Monica Wabuke & Andrew Wilson |
|
3.00pm to 3.05pm |
5-minute break |
|
|
3.05pm to 3.45pm |
Session 3: Using evidence to tell the performance and impact story |
Rachel George and Johan Haris |
|
3.45pm to 3.55pm |
Session 3: Breakout Room Discussions |
RME Team |
|
3.55pm to 4.00pm |
Closing |
Rachel George |
About Tetra Tech’s RME Practice
Tetra Tech International Development Asia Pacific’s Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (RME) Practice works collaboratively with partners and clients to help them understand and measure the impact of their work, achieve greater effectiveness and efficiency, promote evidence-based management and decision-making, and deliver tangible, sustainable outcomes. Our team consists of experienced MERL specialists who work closely with government and non-government organisations in Australia, New Zealand and internationally. We are passionate about improving lives by applying our technical expertise to create practical, sustainable, and environmentally responsible solutions. We have a long-standing history of working with the national and subnational government across the Asia Pacific, non-government organisations, civil society organisations, donors, universities, foundations, and the private sector.
Presenters
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Grace Nicholas – Associate Director, RME (Co-Presenter for Session 1) Grace has 20 years’ experience in the international development and humanitarian sectors and leads high-quality monitoring, research and evaluation that strengthen results for complex programs. With specialist expertise in women’s empowerment, gender equality and inclusion and a background working with NGOs, UN agencies and local partners, Grace delivers practical and evidence-based advice and products that are engaging and useful for stakeholders from community to global levels. |
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Marcel Kaba – Associate Director, RME (Co-Presenter for Session 1) Marcel has strong experience with designing, implementing, overseeing, monitoring and evaluating projects in a variety of countries in consortia with partner organisations, and in collaboration with governmental, for-profit and international institutions. Marcel is familiar with the ins and outs of international NGOs from his extensive experience leading and researching international NGOs in various countries, as we. |
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Monica Wabuke – Associate Director, RME (Co-Presenter for Session 2) Monica holds 14 years of experience in research, monitoring, evaluations and learning within Southeast Asia, the Pacific Region, Africa, and the Middle East. She has taken the roles of leading MEL, designing, managing, and reporting on projects in these regions. Throughout her career, she has provided monitoring and evaluation support to the DFAT, MFAT, European Union, USAID, the World Bank and GCF-funded projects in the Asia Pacific and parts of Africa. Monica is experienced in leading and supporting program/activity and facility-level MEL. |
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Andrew Wilson – Associate Director, RME (Co-Presenter for Session 2) Andrew has more than 15 years’ experience developing monitoring, evaluation and research strategies to support accountable and adaptative emergency response. He has worked in many acute and protracted crises including in Syria, Ukraine, Iraq, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Myanmar, DR Congo, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Central African Republic, Nigeria, Palestine, Mali and Yemen. Andrew has extensive experience in designing and managing M&E strategies to support large and complex institutions and programmes, including the Norwegian Refugee Council, Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre, Incentive Fund in Papua New Guinea and Humanitarian, and Resilience Program Facility in Myanmar. |
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Rachel George – Director, RME (Co-Presenter for Session 3) Rachel has 14 years’ experience delivering high-quality, evidence-based strategic advice to various government and non-government organisations, as both a management consultant and former public servant. In addition to leading a team of MERL Specialists, she leads evaluations, research projects and complex organisational reviews that deliver clear and implementable recommendations. Rachel is currently directing evaluations for MFAT, and providing ongoing monitoring services for DFAT’s Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) and Mekong-Australia Partnership (MAP). |
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Johan Haris – Associate Director, RME (Co-Presenter for Session 3) Johan is a seasoned consultant with nearly a decade of experience, having worked extensively with Australian governments and private organisations. His primary focus lies in the areas of health and human development, both within Australia and in developing countries. Johan has led a breadth of M&E engagements for DFAT, supported reporting and capability mapping for a not-for-profit organisation. Johan is experienced in evaluating program effectiveness, providing strategic insights, and developing business cases for investment. |
Pricing
CID Members: $200 (+GST)
Non CID Members: $300 (+GST)
If three people from one organisation purchase tickets, all following tickets in the booking will recieve a 25% discount.
Registrations are now open!