Geo-Enabling Monitoring & Supervision (GEMS) Training Course: Leveraging GIS for Real-Time Project Oversight and Impact Reporting

Introduction

In today’s data-driven development landscape, Geo-Enabling Monitoring and Supervision (GEMS) has emerged as a powerful approach for enhancing transparency, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making. GEMS equips public sector institutions, development partners, and NGOs with the ability to leverage geospatial technologies—including mobile data collection and GIS platforms—to monitor projects in real time, even in fragile or remote environments.

Through GEMS, organizations can improve monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks, reduce supervision gaps, and strengthen results-based reporting. This 10-day immersive training course equips professionals with practical skills in geospatial data collection, visualization, dashboard development, and spatial analysis using open-source and low-cost technologies that align with World Bank, UN, and USAID standards.

Course Duration

10 Days

Target Audience

This course is designed for:

  • Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) officers
  • Project managers and supervisors in development programs
  • Government officials from planning and statistics units
  • Humanitarian and NGO program staff
  • GIS analysts and ICT4D professionals

Course Objectives

By the end of this training, participants will:

  • Understand the GEMS framework and its role in development monitoring
  • Learn to collect and analyze geo-referenced project data
  • Use mobile tools like KoboToolbox and ODK for field data collection
  • Create dashboards and maps for real-time monitoring
  • Strengthen decision-making with spatial data integration

Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction to GEMS and Geospatial Monitoring

  • Overview of GEMS: Origins, principles, and global use cases
  • Linking GEMS to project supervision and accountability
  • Key components: Data collection, geotagging, dashboards
  • The role of GEMS in fragile, conflict-affected, and remote areas
  • Institutionalizing GEMS in project lifecycles

Module 2: Tools for Mobile-Based Data Collection

  • Introduction to KoboToolbox, ODK, and SurveyCTO
  • Designing geo-enabled forms with XLSForm
  • Installing, deploying, and syncing surveys
  • Offline data collection in remote areas
  • Best practices in metadata and geotagging

Module 3: Fundamentals of GIS for Development Monitoring

  • What is GIS? Concepts and real-world applications
  • Spatial vs. non-spatial data explained
  • Data formats (vector/raster), layers, and map projections
  • Introduction to QGIS: Interface and tools
  • Creating base maps and overlays for analysis

Module 4: Geospatial Data Visualization and Mapping

  • Importing field data into QGIS
  • Creating maps with geotagged project activities
  • Styling, labeling, and customizing map outputs
  • Using GPS coordinates and shape files
  • Exporting maps for reporting and presentation

Module 5: Building Interactive Dashboards

  • Introduction to Power BI and GIS dashboards
  • Linking geospatial data with real-time analytics
  • Creating user-friendly dashboards for stakeholders
  • Automating data flows from field to dashboard
  • Case studies: GEMS dashboards in action

Module 6: Remote Monitoring and Risk Mapping

  • Strategies for monitoring inaccessible or high-risk areas
  • Using satellite imagery and open data sources
  • Early warning systems using geospatial indicators
  • Risk mapping and hotspot analysis
  • Application in disaster and conflict zones

Module 7: Data Quality, Ethics & Privacy in GEMS

  • Ensuring data integrity in field operations
  • Ethical standards in mobile data collection
  • Informed consent and community engagement
  • Data protection, privacy laws, and cybersecurity
  • Developing institutional data governance policies

Module 8: Institutionalizing GEMS in Project Cycles

  • Integrating GEMS into planning, implementation, M&E
  • Building in-house capacity and change management
  • Developing SOPs and GEMS protocols
  • Budgeting and sustainability considerations
  • Aligning with donor and government frameworks

Module 9: Practical Field Exercise & Case Study Analysis

  • Simulated data collection and upload
  • Visualizing field data on maps and dashboards
  • Group work on real-world development scenarios
  • Lessons from World Bank, UNDP, and USAID projects
  • Peer review and feedback session

Module 10: Action Planning & Institutional Adoption

  • Developing GEMS action plans for your organization
  • Identifying opportunities for scale-up
  • Presenting findings to leadership/stakeholders
  • Creating a roadmap for monitoring transformation
  • Final certification and wrap-up session

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

 

Geo-enabling Monitoring & Supervision (gems) Training Course: Leveraging Gis For Real-time Project Oversight And Impact Reporting in Spain
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