Course Details

Monitoring and Evaluation of Social Protection Programs Training Course

INTRODUCTION

This comprehensive training course provides essential knowledge and practical skills for effectively monitoring and evaluating social protection programs. Recognizing that robust evidence is crucial for demonstrating impact, ensuring accountability, and driving continuous improvement, this program equips participants with the tools and methodologies needed to assess program performance rigorously. Participants will gain a deep understanding of M&E frameworks, data collection techniques, impact assessment methods, and strategies for utilizing findings to inform policy and program adjustments. This course is ideal for program managers, M&E specialists, researchers, policymakers, and development practitioners committed to strengthening the effectiveness of social protection interventions.

DURATION

5 days

TARGET AUDIENCE

This course is specifically designed for professionals involved in social protection program management, research, and policy, including:

• Program managers and coordinators of social protection initiatives.
• Monitoring and evaluation specialists from government agencies, NGOs, and international organizations.
• Researchers and academics focusing on social policy and poverty reduction.
• Policymakers responsible for designing and reforming social protection systems.
• Consultants and practitioners engaged in social protection assessments.

OBJECTIVES

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

• Understand the fundamental principles and importance of M&E for social protection programs.
• Develop comprehensive M&E frameworks tailored to specific social protection interventions.
• Design and implement effective data collection strategies for various program indicators.
• Apply appropriate methodologies for assessing the impact of social protection programs.
• Utilize M&E findings to inform program improvements, policy decisions, and accountability.

MODULES

Module 1: Foundations of M&E for Social Protection

• Define monitoring and evaluation in the context of social protection programs.
• Explore the purpose and benefits of a robust M&E system for accountability and learning.
• Differentiate between monitoring, process evaluation, outcome evaluation, and impact evaluation.
• Discuss the principles of results-based management and its application in social protection.
• Understand ethical considerations in M&E, including data privacy and informed consent.

Module 2: Developing M&E Frameworks and Logframes

• Learn to construct a comprehensive M&E framework for a social protection program.
• Develop a logical framework (logframe) linking inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact.
• Identify and define key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to social protection objectives.
• Understand baselines, targets, and reporting frequencies for effective monitoring.
• Discuss how to integrate cross-cutting themes like gender and disability into M&E frameworks.

Module 3: Data Collection Methods and Tools

• Explore various quantitative data collection methods, including household surveys and administrative data.
• Understand qualitative data collection techniques such as focus group discussions and key informant interviews.
• Design effective questionnaires and interview protocols for social protection programs.
• Utilize digital tools and technologies for efficient data collection and management.
• Address challenges in data collection, such as accessibility and respondent bias.

Module 4: Data Management and Quality Assurance

• Establish robust data management systems for storing, organizing, and securing M&E data.
• Implement data cleaning and validation processes to ensure data quality.
• Understand the importance of data disaggregation by age, gender, disability, and other relevant characteristics.
• Discuss strategies for data triangulation and verification from multiple sources.
• Address common data quality issues and how to mitigate them.

Module 5: Process Monitoring and Performance Assessment

• Design and implement process monitoring systems to track program implementation fidelity.
• Assess the efficiency and effectiveness of program delivery mechanisms.
• Monitor budget utilization and resource allocation against planned activities.
• Identify bottlenecks and challenges in program operations through regular monitoring.
• Develop performance dashboards and routine reports for program managers.

Module 6: Outcome and Impact Evaluation Methodologies

• Understand the concept of causality and counterfactual in impact evaluation.
• Explore various impact evaluation designs, including randomized control trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental methods.
• Discuss data analysis techniques for determining program outcomes and impacts.
• Interpret evaluation findings and assess the magnitude and significance of impacts.
• Address challenges in conducting rigorous impact evaluations in complex social protection settings.

Module 7: Analyzing and Reporting M&E Findings

• Learn to analyze both quantitative and qualitative M&E data effectively.
• Develop clear, concise, and compelling M&E reports for various audiences.
• Utilize data visualization techniques to present findings effectively.
• Formulate evidence-based recommendations for program adjustments and policy changes.
• Understand how to communicate complex evaluation results to non-technical stakeholders.

Module 8: Utilization of M&E for Learning and Accountability

• Establish mechanisms for feedback loops from M&E findings to program design and implementation.
• Foster a culture of learning within the organization through regular M&E reviews.
• Discuss how M&E findings can be used for accountability to beneficiaries, donors, and governments.
• Explore strategies for disseminating M&E results widely to inform policy debates.
• Advocate for the continuous improvement and scaling of effective social protection interventions based on evidence.

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