In many parts of the world including Africa, Monitoring and Evaluation are perceived by Non – Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and other service providers as unnecessary pressure imposed by donors. Even today, the purposes and processes of M and E are plagued by various misconceptions both on the part of donors and their grantees. Frequently, donors have applied evaluation as a judgmental rather than a learning tool. NGOs and CBOs dread the processes because they presume that M and E require very complex scientific research that can only be conducted by highly qualified specialists in order to produce acceptable results.
This monograph presents M and E as desirable components of the project cycle. It provides simple definitions of the concepts associated with M and E and explains the processes in an uncomplicated manner. It further demystifies the dreaded Logical Framework Analysis (Log Frame) and explains the vertical and horizontal logic between the various levels of measurement. The Monograph briefly explores the evolution of M and E as an emerging field and proffers that for Sexual and Reproductive Health programmes and projects, evaluation must be situated in the transformative paradigm which interrogates reality from the perspective of social justice, oppression, power and transformation. Within this paradigm, the analysis of asymmetric power relations is crucial and M and E are hinged on consultation, negotiation, participation, joint decision-making and learning, using a rights-based approach.
Mrs Ejiro Otive-Igbuzor was a 2003 grantee of the MacArthur Foundation Fund for Leadership Development programme. The grant specifically supported her training in Monitoring and Evaluation (M and E) in South Africa and Oxford, UK. She has presented this monograph (an expanded project report) as an easy-to-comprehend piece in an empowering manner that instills a can do attitude in the reader.
A copy sells for NGN 500 or USD 5.00 (minus freight). Several organizations have bought this monograph in multiples of ten. Copies are available on request. Please send an email to: ejiro_otive@yahoo.co.uk