Monitoring indicators

Workshop on M&E Tamale 3-5th September 2013.

Quantitative or qualitative factor or variable that provides a simple and reliable means to measure achievement, to reflect the changes connected to an intervention, or to help assess the performance of a development actor.

(OECD 2010)

In less complicated language:

An indicator is a pointer. It can be a measurement, a number, a fact, an opinion or a perception that points at a specific condition or situation and measures change in that condition or situation over time.

(Source: CIDA 1997)

Indicators can be desctibed as:

The derived quality to be reached

The quantity of something to be achieved

The target group who is affected by the benefits from the project/programme

The time frame envisaged for the achievement of the objectives

(Source FAO 2001)

Indicators are usually of two types

Qualitative (informal)

Quantitative (formal)

What is the difference – and which is most important?

The same indcator can not be used with the same value in different contexts!!!!

Why?

Indicators are CONTEXTUAL – what is good in one situation might be bad in another, or for another...

Any examples of this?

Why do we use indicators in monitoring –could we not monitor without them? For example – the most significant change stories is an ’indicator free’ method of monitoring...

Coaching Policing

Where are we in our work?

Source: FAO 2001

Because:

Inequalities in the access to development resources and opportunities hamper economic efficiency and sustainability.

Women and men have different roles, rights and responsibilities.

Rural women often have less access to productive natural resources and opportunities (education, capital, credit, land and decision-making).

Gender sensitive indicators are those that enable us to identify, examine and monitor gender-related changes in society over time (Beck, 1999)

Gender-sensitive indicators are those indicators constructed so as to compare the position of women and men at a point in time and over time, and therefore focus on gender gaps (i. e. the gap between men and women, particularly based on their socially constructed roles) (Progress of the World’s Women, UNIFEM, 2000)

(Source: MDF presentation)

Discussion:

How do we work with gender in IBIS Ghana?

IBIS Global has a standard of all budgets to have a 10% allocation to gender.

Do we monitor and report according to this? If yes –how? If no – how can we start paying more attention to gender?

According to the WB:

PM&E is geared towards not only measuring the effectiveness of a project, but also towards building ownership and empowering beneficiaries; building accountability and transparency ; and taking corrective actions to improve performance and outcomes (WB 2013).

The principles:

- primary stakeholders are active participants –not just sources of information

- building capacity of local people to analyze, reflect and take action

- joint learning of stakeholders at various levels

- catalyzes commitment to taking corrective actions

Looking at this info and the last sessions issues of participation - how do we work with participants – who are they and which roles and responsibilities do they have in our programmes?

Are we including participants in our monitoring – yes, how? No, Should we – and if so how?

Glossery of Key Terms in Evaluation and RBM; OECD 2010.

Guide to Gender-Sensitive Indicators; CIDA 1997.

Gender sensitive indicators: A key tool for gender mainstreaming; FAO 2001

MDF toolbox and training materials.