Strengthening M&E Capacity

Building M&E capacity within organizations:

M&E capacity building is the process of enhancing the ability of organizations to plan, implement, and manage M&E systems. This includes developing the skills and knowledge of staff to collect, analyze, and use data to inform decision-making.

There are a number of ways to build capacity on M&E. Here are some examples-

Coaching: Coaching is a one-on-one relationship between a coach and a learner. The coach provides guidance and support to the learner as they develop their M&E skills.

On-the-job training: On-the-job training is a type of training where learners learn by doing. They are given tasks to complete and are given feedback on their performance.

Action learning: Action learning is a type of training where learners work on real-world problems. They are given the opportunity to apply their M&E skills to real-world situations.

Self-study: Self-study is a type of training where learners learn independently. They use books, articles, and other resources to learn about M&E.

Blended learning: Blended learning is a combination of different types of training. It can include training, coaching, on-the-job training, action learning, and self-study.

There are many benefits to building M&E capacity within organizations. For example, it can help to improve the quality of data collection and analysis, which can lead to more informed decision-making. It can also help to increase the transparency and accountability of organizations, as well as their ability to demonstrate the impact of their work.

An example from WFP Liberia's Home-grown School Feeding (HGSF) Program

WFP Liberia's HGSF is a school feeding program that provides nutritious meals to children in primary schools. The program has been very successful in improving school attendance and performance, but it also needed to improve its M&E capacity.

In 2018, WFP Liberia partnered with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) to build the M&E capacity of the HGSF. IFPRI provided training to staff on data collection, analysis, and reporting. They also helped to develop a M&E plan for the program. As a result of this capacity building, the HGSF has been able to improve the quality of its data collection and analysis. This has enabled the program to better understand the impact of its work, and to make more informed decisions about how to improve the program.

The HGSF is just one example of how M&E capacity building can benefit organizations. By investing in M&E capacity building, organizations can improve the quality of their data, increase their transparency and accountability, and demonstrate the impact of their work.

Ensuring M&E sustainability:

M&E sustainability is the ability of an M&E system to continue to function effectively over time. This includes the ability to secure funding, maintain the capacity of staff, and adapt to changing needs.

There are a number of factors that can contribute to M&E sustainability. These include the following:

Strong Management commitment: M&E sustainability is more likely to be achieved if there is strong management commitment to the M&E system. This means that decision-makers must be aware of the importance of M&E and must be willing to allocate resources to the system.

Well-defined M&E objectives: The M&E system must have well-defined objectives that are aligned with the overall goals of the program. This will help to ensure that the system is focused on collecting the right data and that the data is used effectively.

Flexible M&E system: The M&E system must be flexible enough to adapt to changing needs. This means that the system must be able to be modified as the program evolves.

An example from WFP Liberia's HGSF Program

WFP Liberia's HGSF Program has taken a number of steps to ensure the sustainability of its M&E system. These include the following:

1. The program has secured long-term funding from the Government of Liberia.
2. The program has developed a continuous capacity improvement plan for staff on M&E.
3. The program has created an M&E steering committee to oversee the M&E system.

These steps have helped to ensure that the HGSF Program's M&E system is sustainable and that the program can continue to track its progress and make informed decisions about how to improve the program.

Sharing best practices and lessons learned:

Sharing best practices and lessons learned is an important part of M&E. It can help to improve the quality of M&E systems, and it can also help to identify new ways to improve programs.

There are a number of ways to share best practices and lessons learned. These include the following:

Workshops: A learning-sharing workshop is a collaborative gathering where participants come together to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices related to a specific topic or program. During the workshop, individuals or organizations present insights and lessons learned from their work, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement. Through interactive discussions and knowledge exchange, participants gain valuable insights that can be applied to their own projects, leading to enhanced effectiveness and positive outcomes.

Conferences: The learning-sharing conference is a gathering where stakeholders come together to exchange insights, experiences, and best practices related to a specific program or initiative. It provides a platform for participants to learn from each other's successes and challenges, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Knowledge exchange forums: A knowledge exchange forum is a meeting or event where people from different organizations and backgrounds can share their knowledge and experiences. This can be done through presentations, discussions, or workshops. The goal of a knowledge exchange forum is to improve the quality of work and to identify new ways to solve problems.

Knowledge exchange forums can be a valuable tool for learning and collaboration. They can help to break down silos and to build relationships between people who might not otherwise interact. This can lead to new ideas and solutions that would not have been possible otherwise.

Publications: M&E reports, case studies, and other publications can be a great way to share best practices and lessons learned.

Online platforms: Online platforms, such as websites and social media, can be used to share best practices and lessons learned.

WFP Liberia's HGSF Program has a number of mechanisms for sharing best practices and lessons learned. The program publishes an annual report that summarizes the program's progress and includes lessons learned. The program hosts regular workshops and training on M&E. HGSF has an online platform where staff can share information and learn from each other.

These mechanisms have helped to ensure that the HGSF Program's M&E system is constantly improving. They have also helped to spread the word about the program's successes and lessons learned.

References:

Babu, S. C. (2018). Monitoring and evaluation for capacity strengthening. Intl Food Policy Res Inst. https://www.ifpri.org/publication/monitoring-and-evaluation-capacity-strengthening ?

Brinkerhoff, J. M. (2004). Managing for development effectiveness: The importance of capacity development. World Development, 32(4), 689-705.?

European Centre for Development Policy Management. (2017). Strengthening M&E capacity: A handbook for policymakers and practitioners.

International Development Research Centre. (2011). Monitoring and evaluation systems: A practical guide. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349814428_Monitoring_and_evaluation_system_and_framework ?

UNICEF. (2014). Strengthening M&E systems and capacities for results-based management: A guidance note for country offices.

World Bank. (2010). Handbook on monitoring and evaluation of social programs.