In an era of ubiquitous data collection, the power to measure impact comes with a profound responsibility to protect the individuals behind the numbers. For M&E professionals, navigating the complex landscape of data privacy, informed consent, and security is not just a matter of compliance—it's an ethical imperative. This training course is designed to empower participants to master ethics and data privacy in M&E. By moving beyond a check-the-box approach, participants will learn how to design monitoring and evaluation systems that are built on principles of respect, transparency, and the protection of a person's dignity, thereby ensuring that projects not only achieve their goals but do so in a way that respects human rights.

This comprehensive program provides a practical, hands-on roadmap for building a robust, ethical data management framework. Participants will gain skills in everything from designing culturally sensitive consent forms and establishing secure data storage protocols to navigating data-sharing agreements and managing the risks of digital surveillance. The course is a strategic investment for any organization seeking to enhance the credibility and trustworthiness of its work, ensuring its projects are a force for positive change in a world that needs it most.

Duration: 10 days

Target Audience:

• M&E Specialists
• Data Analysts
• Program and Project Managers
• Researchers
• Information Technology Officers
• Ethical Review Board Members
• Strategic Planners
• Government Officials
• Civil Society Leaders
• Consultants

Objectives:

• Understand the core principles of ethics and data privacy in M&E.
• Master the process of designing an ethical data management framework.
• Learn how to establish data quality standards and ensure data integrity.
• Develop a framework for ensuring data privacy, security, and ethical use.
• Integrate ethical considerations into the M&E project cycle.
• Build a more participatory and inclusive approach to data management.
• Communicate the importance of data governance to different audiences.
• Ensure ethical considerations and safety protocols in data collection.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and adaptive management.
• Apply data governance principles to a wide range of sectors.

Course Modules:

Module 1: Introduction to M&E Ethics

• The importance of data as a strategic asset
• Defining data governance and its purpose in M&E
• The business case for a robust data governance framework
• An overview of the data governance workflow
• The difference between data governance and data management

Module 2: Foundational Concepts for Data Governance

• The importance of a clear and focused research question
• Understanding the context and its impact on the project
• The role of a program's theory of change
• The importance of a clear and testable hypothesis
• The "do no harm" principle in an M&E context

Module 3: Designing a Data Governance Framework

• The importance of a clear and focused framework
• The role of a data audit and a data quality assessment
• Integrating a gender and social inclusion analysis
• The importance of a "risk and mitigation" plan
• Case studies on effective framework design

Module 4: Data Quality and Integrity

• 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 5: Data Privacy and Security

• The importance of a clear and secure data collection protocol
• The role of an encrypted mobile data collection app
• The use of a simple and secure database
• The importance of a data backup and recovery plan
• Protocols for handling sensitive and confidential data

Module 6: Data Ownership and Stewardship

• The importance of a clear and consistent reporting style
• The use of a simple sprint and a project management tool
• The role of a "data steward"
• The importance of a clear and consistent reporting style
• The long-term implications for the organization

Module 7: The Art of Storytelling with Data

• The difference between a simple visual and a data story
• The importance of a clear and compelling narrative
• Using dashboards and visualizations to communicate insights
• The role of a "data story map"
• Practical labs on building a data story

Module 8: Ethical Considerations and Safety

• The importance of a "do no harm" approach
• Ensuring the safety and privacy of participants
• The role of informed consent in a crisis
• The importance of a community-led ethical review process
• Protocols for handling sensitive and potentially harmful data

Module 9: 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 10: Mainstreaming Data Governance

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

Module 11: M&E for a Diverse Sector

• M&E for a public health project
• M&E for a financial inclusion project
• M&E for a climate action project
• M&E for a governance project
• M&E for a social protection project

Module 12: The Role of the M&E Professional

• Shifting from a technician to a facilitator
• The skills required for a data governance 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 13: CBM and Data Governance

• The potential of community-based monitoring with a focus on data 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 a data governance framework
• Troubleshooting common challenges in data collection
• Analyzing and interpreting a set of data
• Peer review and feedback sessions on framework design

Module 15: 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

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.