Training Course on Monitoring and Evaluation in Food Security and Nutrition (MEC007)
Training Course on Monitoring and Evaluation in Food Security and Nutrition
This course provides a comprehensive exploration of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) principles within the context of food security and nutrition programs. Participants will gain a solid foundation in M&E frameworks, tools, and techniques, equipping them with the skills needed to assess, improve, and sustain effective interventions in the field of food security and nutrition.
Course Duration
10 days
Course Objectives
- Understand the fundamental concepts and importance of M&E in the context of food security and nutrition.
- Develop practical skills in designing and implementing M&E frameworks for food security and nutrition programs.
- Learn to select and use appropriate indicators for assessing key aspects of food security and nutrition.
- Acquire knowledge of various data collection methods and analytical techniques relevant to the field.
- Explore advanced evaluation approaches, including impact assessments and formative/sum
Organisational Impact
Organizations whose staff attend this course will benefit from:
- Enhanced program effectiveness: Improved ability to monitor, evaluate, and strengthen food security and nutrition interventions.
- Better decision-making: Use of robust M&E systems and indicators to inform strategic planning and resource allocation.
- Improved accountability: Transparent tracking and reporting of program results to stakeholders, donors, and beneficiaries.
- Increased sustainability and impact: Adoption of evidence-based practices and lessons learned to optimize project outcomes.
- Stronger organizational learning: Enhanced ability to capture, analyze, and use M&E data for continuous improvement.
- Integration of cross-cutting issues: Better incorporation of gender, health, and nutrition considerations into program planning and evaluation.
Personal Impact
Participants will gain:
- Practical skills in FSN-specific M&E: Ability to design, implement, and manage M&E frameworks tailored for food security and nutrition programs.
- Competence in indicator selection and data analysis: Knowledge of FSN indicators such as Dietary Diversity Score, Food Consumption Score, and Nutrition indicators, along with quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques.
- Improved professional confidence: Ability to plan, conduct, and report on evaluations, impact assessments, and performance tracking.
- Enhanced career relevance: Exposure to real-world FSN case studies, participatory approaches, and advanced M&E methods.
- Capacity to integrate gender and cross-cutting issues: Skills to measure gender outcomes and ensure inclusive program evaluation.
- Certificate of Completion: Recognition of skills and knowledge gained, enhancing professional credibility.
Course Outline
Module 1: Introduction to M&E
- Definition of Monitoring and Evaluation
- Why Monitoring and Evaluation is important
- Key principles and concepts in M&E
- M&E and the project lifecycle
- Complementary roles of Monitoring and Evaluation
Module 2: Food Security and Nutrition M&E Frameworks
- Food security and Nutrition Conceptual Frameworks
- Food security and Nutrition Results Frameworks
- Logical Framework Analysis (LFA)
- Design of Food security and nutrition projects using LogFrame
Module 3: Food Security and Nutrition Indicators
- FSN indicators definition: Dietary diversity score, Food Consumption Score, Coping Strategy Index, Nutrition indicators
- Indicator metrics
- Link between indicators to results
- Indicator Matrix
- FSN indicator performance tracking
Module 4: M&E System design and Planning in FSN
- Importance of an M&E Plan
- Documenting M&E System in the M&E Plan
- Components of an M&E Plan-Monitoring, Evaluation, Data management, Reporting
- Using M&E Plan to implement M&E in a Project
- M&E plan vs Performance Management Plan (PMP)
Module 5: M&E Considerations for Sector Specific Programming
- Food Security Programs: Food Availability, Seasonality, Food Access, Food Utilization
- Health and Nutrition Programs; Selection of Indicators, sources of data, Reproductive Health
- Integrating Cross Cutting Issues into Data Collection
Module 6: Data Management and Analysis for M&E in FSN
- Different sources of M&E data
- Qualitative data collection methods
- Quantitative data collection methods
- Participatory methods of data collection
- Qualitative data analysis
- Quantitative data analysis
- Data interpretation and reporting
Module 7: Gender integration in M&E for FSN
- Gender integration during project activities design
- Gender indicators in Food Security and Nutrition programs
- Cross cutting gender issues in FSN
- Measure of gender outcomes
- Role of M&E in addressing gender
- Measure pf gender outcomes
Module 8: Evaluation of Food Security and Nutrition Programs
- Determining evaluation points from results framework
- Components of evaluations: implementation and process evaluations.
- Evaluation designs- experimental, quasi-experimental and non-experimental
- Performance evaluation process
- Evaluation findings sharing and dissemination
Module 9: Impact Assessment of Food Security and Nutrition Programs
- Introduction to impact evaluation
- Attribution in impact evaluation
- Estimation of counterfactual
- Impact evaluation methods
Module 10: M&E Results Use and Dissemination
- Use of M&E results to improve and strengthen FSN projects
- Use of M&E Lessons learnt and Best Practices
- M&E reporting
Note: The specific content, activities, and duration of each session may be adjusted based on the target audience, learning objectives, and available time.
Course Language
English
Training Methodology
The course will use a practical, participatory, and learner-centered approach to ensure participants acquire both conceptual understanding and applied skills in FSN M&E. Key components include:
- Interactive Lectures and Conceptual Discussions: Introduction to M&E principles, FSN frameworks, indicators, and evaluation designs, with Q&A sessions for clarification.
- Hands-On Practical Exercises: Participants practice designing M&E plans, developing indicators, conducting data collection, and analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data.
- Case Studies and Real-World Scenarios: Application of M&E principles to actual FSN program situations to reinforce learning.
- Group Work and Peer Learning: Collaborative exercises simulating stakeholder engagement, participatory evaluations, and reporting processes.
- Data Management and Analysis Practice: Exercises in data cleaning, interpretation, and visualization using FSN-specific indicators.
- Gender Integration Exercises: Practical sessions on integrating gender-sensitive indicators and analyzing outcomes across different groups.
- Evaluation and Impact Assessment Practice: Conducting baseline studies, process evaluations, and impact assessments using experimental, quasi-experimental, and non-experimental designs.
- Reporting and Dissemination Exercises: Training on developing actionable reports and communicating findings to stakeholders.
- Step-by-Step Coaching: Trainers provide guidance throughout exercises to ensure correct application of M&E methods.
- Reflective Learning and Knowledge Sharing: Opportunities for participants to discuss lessons learned, best practices, and strategies for applying skills in their organizational context.
Certification
This Training course is offered in ENGLISH . Please indicate the language of choice during registration.
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