About This Course
Effective Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is the cornerstone of results-based management in development programmes, government initiatives, and the private sector alike. Without a rigorous system for tracking progress and measuring impact, organisations risk misallocating resources, missing performance targets, and failing to demonstrate value to funders and beneficiaries. The demand for skilled M&E professionals continues to grow as donors, governments, and boards place ever-greater emphasis on accountability, evidence-based decision-making, and demonstrable impact.
TrainingComplex's Monitoring and Evaluation Training is a practical, five-day programme designed to give participants a firm grounding in all core dimensions of M&E — from developing a Theory of Change and a logical framework, to designing data collection instruments, managing M&E data, and producing professional evaluation reports. The course reflects contemporary global standards, including those promoted by OECD-DAC, UN agencies, the World Bank, and leading international NGOs.
Participants will gain hands-on experience with real-world datasets, work through case studies drawn from health, agriculture, education, and governance sectors, and leave with a personal M&E plan applicable to their own programmes. Whether you are building an M&E unit from scratch, strengthening an existing system, or preparing for a major evaluation exercise, this course provides the structured knowledge and practical tools to do it well.
The programme is designed for professionals at the intermediate level who have some exposure to project or programme management and wish to deepen their M&E competency. It is equally valuable for those transitioning into dedicated M&E roles and for team leaders who need to oversee M&E functions effectively.
Who Should Attend
- M&E Officers and M&E Coordinators in NGOs, INGOs, and development agencies
- Programme and Project Managers responsible for results reporting
- Government planners and policy officers involved in public sector performance management
- Donor and grant management staff overseeing compliance and reporting
- Research officers and data analysts working within development programmes
- Civil society organisation staff involved in community-based programme delivery
- Consultants conducting project evaluations or impact assessments
- Academics and practitioners involved in applied social research
Learning Objectives
- Develop a clear Theory of Change and logical framework (logframe) aligned to programme objectives
- Design a comprehensive M&E plan including indicators, baselines, targets, and data sources
- Construct and apply appropriate quantitative and qualitative data collection tools
- Manage M&E data effectively, ensuring quality, integrity, and security
- Apply participatory methods for community-level monitoring and stakeholder engagement
- Conduct mid-term reviews and end-of-project evaluations using recognised methodologies
- Analyse both quantitative and qualitative data to generate evidence-based findings
- Produce professional M&E reports and communicate results to diverse audiences
- Use data visualisation techniques to present performance information clearly
- Embed learning and adaptive management practices within programme cycles
Course Modules
Module 1: Foundations of Monitoring and Evaluation
- Definitions and distinctions: monitoring, evaluation, and learning
- The M&E landscape: global standards, OECD-DAC criteria, and UN norms
- Results-based management and the accountability imperative
- Key roles and responsibilities within an M&E system
- Linking M&E to programme and organisational strategy
- Common M&E challenges and how high-performing organisations address them
Module 2: Theory of Change and Programme Logic
- What is a Theory of Change and why it matters
- Mapping inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact
- Identifying assumptions and risk factors in programme logic
- Developing a logical framework (logframe) from a Theory of Change
- Results frameworks vs. logframes: when to use each
- Peer review and quality-checking of programme logic models
Module 3: Developing an M&E Plan
- Components of a robust M&E plan
- Selecting SMART indicators: output, outcome, and impact level
- Establishing baselines: methods, sources, and common pitfalls
- Setting realistic and evidence-informed targets
- Defining data sources, collection frequency, and responsible parties
- Budgeting for M&E: cost norms and resource planning
Module 4: Quantitative Data Collection Methods
- Survey design principles: sampling, questionnaire structure, and response formats
- Probability and non-probability sampling strategies
- Household surveys, facility assessments, and administrative data systems
- Digital data collection tools: KoBoToolbox, ODK, and mobile platforms
- Pre-testing and piloting data collection instruments
- Data quality assurance protocols during field data collection
Module 5: Qualitative and Participatory Methods
- When and why to use qualitative methods in M&E
- Key informant interviews: design, facilitation, and recording
- Focus group discussions: composition, moderation, and documentation
- Participatory rural appraisal tools for community-based monitoring
- Most Significant Change and outcome harvesting techniques
- Triangulation: integrating qualitative and quantitative evidence
Module 6: Data Management and Quality Assurance
- Designing an M&E data management system
- Data cleaning, coding, and storage best practices
- Data quality dimensions: validity, reliability, timeliness, completeness
- Routine data quality assessments (RDQAs) and verification audits
- Ethical considerations: informed consent, confidentiality, and data protection
- Building data management capacity within programme teams
Module 7: Quantitative Data Analysis and Interpretation
- Descriptive statistics for M&E: frequencies, means, and cross-tabulations
- Reading and interpreting programme performance data against targets
- Simple inferential concepts: correlation, significance, and confidence
- Using Excel and other accessible tools for M&E data analysis
- Identifying trends, outliers, and gaps in performance data
- Translating numbers into programme-relevant findings and conclusions
Module 8: Qualitative Data Analysis and Synthesis
- Organising and coding qualitative data: frameworks and thematic approaches
- Developing a coding framework from interview and FGD transcripts
- Pattern recognition and theme development across data sources
- Using qualitative findings to explain quantitative results
- Documenting and validating qualitative analysis processes
- Avoiding common biases in qualitative interpretation
Module 9: Conducting Evaluations: Design and Management
- Types of evaluation: formative, summative, process, impact, and real-time
- Evaluation design options: pre-post, control group, case study, and mixed methods
- Developing evaluation terms of reference (ToR) and inception reports
- Managing external evaluators: selection, briefing, and quality control
- Data collection in evaluations: ethics, access, and field management
- Steering committees, reference groups, and stakeholder engagement in evaluations
Module 10: Reporting, Visualisation, and Communicating Results
- Structuring a professional M&E or evaluation report
- Writing clear findings, conclusions, and actionable recommendations
- Data visualisation principles: charts, maps, infographics, and dashboards
- Tailoring communication for donors, governments, communities, and boards
- Dissemination strategies: briefs, presentations, and learning events
- Responding to stakeholder feedback and managing sensitive findings
Requirements & Prerequisites
Participants should have a basic familiarity with project or programme management concepts and some exposure to development or public sector programming. A working knowledge of basic data concepts — such as indicators, targets, and reporting cycles — is beneficial but not mandatory. No prior formal M&E training is required, as the course is designed to build competency progressively from foundational principles to applied practice.
Training Methodology
- Theory of Change workshop in which participants map causal pathways for a real or simulated programme, building a live logframe collaboratively
- Case study analysis drawing on M&E experiences from health, education, agriculture, and governance programmes across Africa and beyond
- Hands-on design of data collection instruments — survey questionnaires, interview guides, observation checklists — reviewed in peer groups
- Small-group data analysis exercises using real anonymised datasets, practising both descriptive statistics and thematic coding of qualitative responses
- Role-play evaluation interviews simulating key informant and focus group scenarios, with structured debrief on facilitation quality
- Data visualisation practicum in which participants create charts, dashboards, and infographics to communicate programme performance
- Participatory scoring and ranking exercises that replicate community-based monitoring methodologies
- Individual M&E plan development — each participant drafts an M&E framework for their own programme, receiving facilitator and peer feedback
- Presentation sessions in which teams present evaluation findings to a simulated donor audience and respond to questions
Organisational Benefits
- Strengthened organisational capacity to demonstrate programme impact to donors and stakeholders
- Improved data quality and reliability for evidence-based decision-making at all levels
- More effective resource allocation through timely performance tracking and corrective action
- Enhanced donor confidence and compliance with reporting requirements
- Reduced project risk through early identification of implementation gaps and course corrections
- A common M&E language and framework across project teams and departments
- Greater staff confidence in designing and conducting evaluations independently
- Better institutional learning systems that capture lessons and improve future programming
Where Is Monitoring and Evaluation Training Offered?
This course runs in-person across: Dubai, Nairobi, Kigali, Mombasa, Nakuru, Zanzibar, Abuja, Riyadh, Lagos, Naivasha, Accra, Arusha, Kisumu, Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Kampala, Pretoria, Cape Town, Johannesburg, plus Live Virtual (online) cohorts. Browse live dates for your city below.
Upcoming Schedules
| Location | Format | Dates | Price |
|---|
| Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
In-Person |
5 Oct 2026 – 9 Oct 2026 |
USD 4,100 |
| Nairobi, Kenya |
In-Person |
5 Oct 2026 – 9 Oct 2026 |
KES 105,000 |
| Live Virtual |
Online |
5 Oct 2026 – 9 Oct 2026 |
KES 80,000 |
| Kigali, Rwanda |
In-Person |
12 Oct 2026 – 16 Oct 2026 |
USD 1,900 |
| Live Virtual |
Online |
17 Oct 2026 – 8 Nov 2026 |
KES 80,000 |
| Mombasa, Kenya |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
KES 120,000 |
| Nakuru, Kenya |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
KES 120,000 |
| Zanzibar, Tanzania |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
USD 2,500 |
| Abuja, Nigeria |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
USD 2,800 |
| Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
USD 4,500 |
| Lagos, Nigeria |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
USD 2,500 |
| Naivasha, Kenya |
In-Person |
19 Oct 2026 – 23 Oct 2026 |
KES 115,000 |
| Accra, Ghana |
In-Person |
26 Oct 2026 – 30 Oct 2026 |
USD 3,800 |
| Arusha, Tanzania |
In-Person |
26 Oct 2026 – 30 Oct 2026 |
USD 2,100 |
| Kisumu, Kenya |
In-Person |
26 Oct 2026 – 30 Oct 2026 |
KES 120,000 |
+237 more dates — view live schedule →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need prior M&E training or a formal qualification to attend?
No formal M&E qualification is required. The course is designed for professionals with a working familiarity with project or programme environments who want to build or deepen their M&E skills. Those new to M&E as well as those with some practical experience will find the programme valuable.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion?
Yes. Participants who attend the full five days and complete the in-course practical assignments will receive a TrainingComplex Certificate of Completion in Monitoring and Evaluation. The certificate is digitally verifiable and widely accepted by employers, NGOs, and government agencies.
Is the course available online for participants who cannot travel?
Yes. A Live Virtual cohort runs on the same schedule and covers identical content through interactive online sessions, breakout group exercises, and digital collaboration tools. Participants receive the same certificate regardless of delivery mode.
What software or tools will be used during the course?
The course primarily uses Microsoft Excel for data analysis exercises and KoBoToolbox or ODK for digital data collection demonstrations — both of which are free and widely used in the sector. Participants should bring a laptop; no specialist software licences are required.
How large are the training groups, and how interactive is the course?
Cohorts are capped at 25 participants to ensure a high facilitator-to-participant ratio and meaningful group interaction. The course is highly participatory — expect to spend the majority of each day on group exercises, case studies, and practical tasks rather than passive listening.
