What you will learn
- Explain the role of MEAL in the humanitarian project cycle.
- Build a coherent theory of change and logframe.
- Formulate SMART indicators and write a complete MEAL plan.
- Choose the right data collection methods, calculate a sample size and ensure data quality.
- Set up a complaints and feedback mechanism, and prepare an evaluation using the OECD DAC criteria.
Course information
- Level
- Beginner to intermediate
- Study time
- 30 hours over 5 days (lessons, case studies, exercises)
- Format
- Online, at your own pace, free and unlimited access
- Assessment
- Daily quizzes + final exam of 20 randomly drawn questions (30 min, pass mark 70%)
- Credential
- Named, numbered certificate of achievement, verifiable online (QR code)
- Reference frameworks
- OECD-DAC · ALNAP (Buchanan-Smith, Cosgrave, Warner) · CHS Alliance, Groupe URD, Sphere
Programme
- Day1MEAL fundamentalsWhat does MEAL mean? · Monitoring and evaluation: the differences · MEAL in the project cycle · Reference standards · Ethics and data protection Scenario: First day as a MEAL officer
- Day2Theory of change and logframeFrom problem tree to objective tree · The theory of change · The results chain · The logframe Scenario: The logframe for a nutrition project
- Day3Indicators and the MEAL planWhat makes a good indicator? · Baseline, target and reference sheet · The indicator tracking table · The MEAL plan Scenario: Indicators for a water project
- Day4Data collection, quality and analysisData collection methods · Sampling · Data quality · Analysing and using data Scenario: A satisfaction survey that goes wrong
- Day5Accountability, evaluation and learningAccountability to affected populations · The complaints and feedback mechanism · Evaluation · Keeping learning alive Scenario: A serious complaint in the suggestion box
- Final assessment and certificate20 questions · 70% to pass · 3 attempts per 24 hours
Who is it for?
Project officers, MEAL assistants and officers, programme coordinators, staff of national and international NGOs.
The certificate
With at least 70% correct answers in the final assessment, you receive a certificate in your name, with a unique code that recruiters can verify on Humanitaires Jobs. A free Members area account is required.
Key concepts
The vocabulary you need to master for this course and the exam.
- Theory of change
- An explicit representation of how activities are expected to bring about the intended changes, with the assumptions.
- Logframe
- A matrix linking objectives, results, activities, indicators, means of verification and assumptions.
- Outcome indicator
- A measure of change among beneficiaries (behaviour, access, situation).
- Baseline
- The initial measurement of indicators, before the intervention.
- Counterfactual
- What would have happened without the intervention; the basis for attribution analysis.
- Triangulation
- Cross-checking sources, methods or enumerators to validate a finding.
- Accountability to affected populations (AAP)
- A commitment to inform, consult, collect complaints and act on them.
- OECD-DAC criteria
- Relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability.
References and recommended reading
The official texts and sector reference works on which the course is based.
- OECD-DAC (2019). Better Criteria for Better Evaluation: Revised Evaluation Criteria Definitions and Principles for Use. www.oecd.org/fr/cad/evaluation/criteres-cad-evaluation.htm
- ALNAP (Buchanan-Smith, Cosgrave, Warner) (2016). Evaluation of Humanitarian Action Guide. www.alnap.org/help-library/evaluation-of-humanitarian-action-guide
- CHS Alliance, Groupe URD, Sphere (2024). Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS). www.corehumanitarianstandard.org
- Sphere Association (2018). The Sphere Handbook: Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response. spherestandards.org/fr/manuel-2018
- United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) (2016). Norms and Standards for Evaluation. www.unevaluation.org