Course Details

Ethical Issues in M&E Training Course

INTRODUCTION

This essential training course provides comprehensive knowledge and practical skills for navigating the complex Ethical Issues in Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E). Recognizing that M&E activities often involve vulnerable populations, sensitive data, and power imbalances, this program equips participants with a systematic understanding of ethical principles, guidelines, and best practices to ensure that evaluations are conducted responsibly, respectfully, and without causing harm. Participants will gain deep insights into informed consent, data privacy, stakeholder engagement, managing conflicts of interest, and ensuring the equitable use of findings, all crucial for upholding integrity, building trust, and safeguarding the well-being of all involved in the evaluation process.

This course moves beyond the technical aspects of M&E to address the fundamental moral responsibilities of evaluators and organizations. It is ideal for M&E specialists, program managers, researchers, data collectors, and anyone involved in generating or using evidence in development, humanitarian, or social change initiatives, ensuring their work is not only effective but also ethically sound.

DURATION

10 days

TARGET AUDIENCE

This course is specifically designed for all professionals involved in the design, implementation, management, or use of M&E data and findings, who need to understand and apply ethical principles, including:

• M&E Specialists and Coordinators.
• Program Managers and Field Staff.
• Researchers and Data Collectors.
• NGO Leaders and Senior Management.
• Donors and Grant Managers.

OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the core ethical principles governing M&E practice.
• Identify and mitigate potential ethical risks throughout the M&E lifecycle.
• Implement robust informed consent and data privacy protocols.
• Ensure equitable and respectful engagement with all stakeholders.
• Promote the responsible use of M&E findings to avoid harm and maximize benefit.

MODULES

Module 1: Foundations of Ethics in M&E

• Define ethics in the context of M&E and its fundamental importance.
• Explore core ethical principles (e.g., beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, respect for persons).
• Discuss the unique ethical challenges inherent in M&E work (e.g., power dynamics, sensitive data, unintended consequences).
• Understand the role of ethical guidelines and codes of conduct in M&E.
• Examine different ethical frameworks relevant to M&E decision-making.

Module 2: Ethical Planning and Design of M&E

• Understand how to integrate ethical considerations from the very outset of M&E design.
• Discuss conducting ethical risk assessments for M&E activities.
• Explore strategies for ensuring equitable representation and avoiding bias in evaluation design.
• Examine the importance of Do No Harm principle in M&E, especially in fragile or conflict-affected contexts.
• Learn about ethical considerations in defining evaluation questions and methodologies.

Module 3: Informed Consent and Voluntary Participation

• Understand the core components of informed consent in M&E (e.g., information, comprehension, voluntariness).
• Discuss strategies for obtaining meaningful informed consent from diverse populations, including vulnerable groups (e.g., children, illiterate individuals).
• Explore the ethical implications of coercion or undue influence in participation.
• Examine the process of assent for child participants.
• Learn about documenting consent and ensuring ongoing voluntary participation.

Module 4: Data Privacy, Confidentiality, and Security

• Understand the paramount importance of data privacy and confidentiality in M&E.
• Discuss strategies for anonymizing or de-identifying sensitive data.
• Explore best practices for secure data storage, transmission, and access.
• Examine the implications of data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR, national laws) for M&E.
• Learn about managing data breaches and protecting personally identifiable information.

Module 5: Equitable and Respectful Engagement with Stakeholders

• Understand the ethical imperative of meaningful stakeholder engagement in M&E.
• Discuss strategies for ensuring fair representation and participation of diverse groups.
• Explore methods for managing power imbalances between evaluators and beneficiaries.
• Examine the ethical responsibilities of evaluators towards data collectors and field teams.
• Learn about culturally sensitive communication and respect for local customs.

Module 6: Managing Conflicts of Interest and Bias

• Understand various forms of conflict of interest in M&E (e.g., personal, financial, organizational).
• Discuss strategies for identifying and mitigating potential biases in M&E design, data collection, and analysis.
• Explore the importance of evaluator independence and impartiality.
• Examine transparent disclosure of potential conflicts.
• Learn about safeguarding against sponsor influence on M&E findings.

Module 7: Ethical Analysis, Interpretation, and Reporting of Findings

• Understand ethical considerations in analyzing and interpreting M&E data.
• Discuss strategies for ensuring fair, accurate, and balanced representation of findings.
• Explore how to avoid misrepresentation, over-generalization, or selective reporting.
• Examine the ethical responsibility to report negative or unintended findings transparently.
• Learn about communicating sensitive information respectfully and avoiding stigmatization.

Module 8: Responsible Use of M&E Findings and Long-Term Ethics

• Understand the ethical responsibility of ensuring M&E findings are used for benefit, not harm.
• Discuss strategies for feedback to communities and ensuring their right to know findings.
• Explore how to advocate for the responsible use of M&E evidence in policy and programming.
• Examine the ethical considerations of data retention, archiving, and potential future use.
• Learn about continuous ethical reflection and adapting to emerging ethical challenges in M&E.

CERTIFICATION

• Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

• Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

• Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com