Effective governance and public policy are built on transparency and accountability, yet traditional M&E methods often fail to capture the citizen's perspective on service delivery and decision-making. This top-down approach can miss critical insights and undermine a project’s legitimacy and long-term sustainability. This training course is designed to empower M&E professionals to master participatory M&E in governance programs. By equipping them with the tools and methodologies to co-create evaluation processes with citizens, participants will learn how to build M&E systems that are not only rigorous but also truly democratic, empowering communities to hold institutions accountable and drive meaningful change.

This comprehensive program provides a practical, hands-on roadmap for designing and implementing M&E frameworks that are grounded in the principles of citizen engagement. Participants will gain skills in everything from conducting stakeholder power analyses and facilitating citizen report cards to using social audits and communicating findings in a way that is meaningful to both policymakers and the public. The course is a strategic investment for any organization committed to building more responsive and transparent governance, ensuring their work is a force for positive change in a world that needs it most.

Duration: 10 days

Target Audience:

• M&E Specialists
• Governance Program Officers
• Civil Society Leaders
• Human Rights Advocates
• Researchers
• Public Policy Analysts
• Government Officials
• Community Development Workers
• Consultants
• Strategic Planners

Objectives:

• Understand the core principles of participatory M&E and its relevance to governance.
• Master the process of designing a citizen-led M&E framework.
• Learn how to select and measure key indicators of good governance.
• Develop a data collection and analysis plan that is disaggregated and inclusive.
• Integrate ethical considerations and safety protocols.
• Build a more participatory and inclusive approach to monitoring.
• Communicate findings on equity to different audiences.
• Ensure ethical considerations and safety protocols in data collection.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and adaptive management.
• Apply M&E techniques to a wide range of sectors.

Course Modules:

Module 1: Introduction to Participatory Governance M&E

• The limitations of traditional, top-down M&E
• Defining participatory M&E and its purpose
• The business case for a citizen-led approach
• An overview of the M&E workflow for a governance project
• The difference between equality and equity

Module 2: Foundational Concepts for Participatory Methods

• The importance of a power analysis
• Understanding accountability and its relevance
• The role of a program's theory of change in a governance project
• The importance of a clear and focused scope
• The difference between equality and equity

Module 3: Designing a Participatory Governance Framework

• The importance of a clear and focused framework
• The role of a stakeholder analysis
• Integrating a disability and age analysis
• The importance of a "risk and mitigation" plan
• Case studies on effective framework design

Module 4: Participatory Data Collection Tools

• The importance of a participatory approach
• Using creative tools for data collection (e.g., photo-voice, digital storytelling)
• The role of a "social mapping" and a "trend analysis"
• The use of a simple survey and a focus group discussion
• Practical labs on a basic data collection tool

Module 5: Citizen Report Cards and Community Scorecards

• The importance of a clear and consistent reporting style
• The use of a simple survey and a focus group discussion
• The role of a "data quality audit"
• The importance of a clear and consistent reporting style
• Practical labs on a basic data quality tool

Module 6: Social Audits and Public Expenditure Tracking

• The importance of a clear and secure data collection protocol
• The use of a simple survey and an interview
• The role of a data management system (e.g., Salesforce, SAP)
• The importance of a clear and consistent reporting style
• Protocols for handling sensitive and confidential data

Module 7: Data Analysis and Interpretation

• The importance of a clear data analysis plan
• Using simple statistical analysis for quantitative data
• The role of qualitative data analysis methods
• Interpreting findings from a governance perspective
• The importance of data triangulation

Module 8: M&E for a Diverse Audience

• The importance of knowing your audience
• The role of a "stakeholder analysis"
• Designing reports and dashboards for non-technical audiences
• The importance of accessibility and inclusivity
• Case studies on communicating with different audiences

Module 9: Mainstreaming Participatory M&E

• How to integrate M&E into the project cycle
• The importance of a phased implementation strategy
• The role of M&E in the project cycle
• Building a culture of adaptive management
• Case studies on successful integration

Module 10: The Role of the M&E Professional

• Shifting from a technician to a facilitator
• The skills required for an M&E professional
• Managing power dynamics and group conflicts
• The importance of a non-judgmental and empathetic approach
• The ethical responsibilities of the M&E professional

Module 11: M&E for a Diverse Sector

• M&E for a technology project
• M&E for a social enterprise
• M&E for a humanitarian project
• M&E for a climate action project
• M&E for a governance project

Module 12: The Future of M&E

• The role of AI and machine learning in automated analysis
• The potential of blockchain for data integrity
• The use of new data sources (e.g., satellite imagery)
• The rise of complexity-aware M&E
• The long-term implications for the sector

Module 13: CBM and Governance

• The potential of community-based monitoring with a focus on governance
• Training community members as monitors
• The importance of a participatory approach
• The role of a feedback mechanism for continuous learning
• The long-term benefits of a community-led system

Module 14: Practical Application and Simulation

• A hands-on simulation of a real-world project
• Participants work in teams to design an M&E framework
• Troubleshooting common challenges in data collection
• Analyzing and interpreting a set of data
• Peer review and feedback sessions on framework design

Module 15: Building Your Roadmap

• Creating a customized plan for a new project
• Identifying key stakeholders and securing buy-in
• Developing a phased implementation strategy
• Measuring the ROI and business impact of the investment
• Final Q&A and course wrap-up

Module 16: The Role of a Data Team

• The importance of a cross-functional team
• The role of a data scientist, a data analyst, and an M&E specialist
• The importance of a clear and consistent reporting style
• The long-term implications for the organization
• The importance of a "data" framework

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.