About two years ago, when I decided to pursue a career in Monitoring and Evaluation, I had so many fears; It looked very cumbersome – unlike saying “I am an Accountant”, “a Doctor” or “an Engineer,” I will introduce myself as a “Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist” or an M&E Expert or simply put, an evaluator. Whichever I choose, the question would always be, “what does that mean?” I will have to start long explanations. Asides, the profession looked tacked with specialised scientific and numerical skills which, apparently, I did not have – the only thing I have and have always done perfectly is writing… ok, speaking too.

I was perplexed and I quizzed my decision as I read more about the profession. However, the more I read, the less boring it becomes. I found myself understanding the logic behind M&E, its essence to organisation frameworks and importance to development work. In the last few months, I have been engrossed with several projects which involved using statistical analysis and designing survey methods – in fact, I almost forgot I failed maths four times while writing Senior Secondary School Examinations.

The journey, so far, has been fulfilling and I can only look forward to more challenges on the field. If you are like me a few years ago, trying to find your feet in this profession, here are five tips that will demystify M&E and help you get started, excitingly.

1. M&E is an art

One thing about M&E is that it looks more scientific from the outside. You hear about certain jargons like logical framework, the theory of change, statistical analysis, data validity and reliability, etcetera. If you are like me, the mathematics and statistical aspect are the most atrocious; the thought of doing maths again after I narrowly escaped it many years back was upsetting.

However, just like writing, M&E is more of an art than science. It has processes and procedures that can be learnt over time and once you familiarise yourself with the methodologies, you get better using them frequently.

Moreover, there are several applications and tools that can handle the maths for you, all you need do is master those tools, develop critical thinking abilities and become the master of your game, bingo!

2. Teamwork drives better results

Unlike writing which can be a lonesome activity, M&E requires a great deal of teamwork for you to get better results and learn faster. Unfortunately, finding a team is somewhat difficult because job opportunities are meagre. I faced this challenge too. You might be lucky to get an internship at a reputable organisation but often time, only a few people are this lucky.

One way for you is to volunteer with community-based organisations around you and use the knowledge you’ve learnt to make an influence at those organisations. You might find out that some of these organisations don’t do or value M&E, don’t be depressed, join them and teach them how to do it. You can also enrol for online courses. Cloneshouse has several courses for different levels. Use the platform, enrol for their programme, get certified and network with other players.

I enrolled for the Dataville International Development course which gave me the opportunity to interact with other like minds. I met some guys who were good with data analysis and learnt from them. I learnt how to use Strata and SPSS software packages. We grew a community during the training and some of us have benefited greatly from it. Just don’t stay alone, join a group and grow with them.

You can also seek mentorship from expert evaluators. However, be willing to give more than you will get. Offer a service to your mentor and he or she will help you grow. You need practical experience to succeed as an evaluator. Development organisations always seek people with industry experience, therefore, find every opportunity to get it. It will help you significantly.

3. M&E is not a fixed-office engagement

This is what I love most about M&E. you don’t sit in the office at all times. You will go out for fieldwork, sometimes, travelling to remote areas. As a passionate traveller, I love to go out of the office for different activities. I love meeting new people, learning from others and sharing experience. M&E, excitingly, gives me the grace to achieve this. During office hours too, you might be involved in team discussions, reviews and deep learning activities on your project. You will not be fixated on your laptop, you will meet, interact and learn from people. Nothing is more exciting!

  4. Learning is continuous

Aside from continuously learning on the job as an evaluator, you get to work on a different project and different topics. This means you have to be versatile and read more. You might be working on an HIV Aids project and soon find yourself working on another project centred on Gender violence. Each topic has its own data and metrics so you will have to read widely to have a grasp of the project you are handling.

Also, because M&E is evolving and there are many tools and techniques involved, learning is progressive. As you use new methodologies and write different reports, your understanding will be on the rise.

  5. Data is everything

Data might not be the new oil, as some people claimed, but data is an artefact you can’t stop mining and a resource you can’t stop using. M&E is data – both quantitative and qualitative. Development and social works depend on data to derive impact from their activities. The purpose of M&E is to determine whether interventions, whether finished or ongoing are impactful and achieving desired results. Lessons learned are helpful in designing projects and programs.

So, if you are interested in M&E, you must be interested in data and understand how to mine, use and analyse them. You can learn the process through practice and continuous reading. Your ability to do this effectively will help you grow exponentially.

M&E is a profession that gives you a taste of other professions within or outside development and social work. That is why evaluators are the geeks within the organization. Now that you are aware, go ahead and fly.

Are you facing any challenges with progressing in your career? Feel free to share with me in the comments.

Abdulhakeem Abdulkareem is a project coordinator and evaluator at Consultancy Supports Services (CS2) Limited. He is passionate about social development, insecurity and humanitarianism, and climate change. Connect with or send him a mail at him on Twitter and LinkedIn [email protected]

12 Comments

  1. Thamsanqa April 11, 2022 at 2:06 pm - Reply

    IAM a Local Office Manager for South African Social Security Agency and would love to study M&E but have similar fears as you had before but would like you to advise me about the best institution that I can register with in South Africa, IAM based in the Eastern Cape Province.

    • Noelle Uloko April 12, 2022 at 8:18 am - Reply

      Hello, you can register with the Centre for Learning on Evaluation and Results – Anglophone Africa (CLEAR-AA). Some of our consultants have also attended the institution for further studies on Monitoring and Evaluation. Here’s a link to their website: https://www.wits.ac.za/clear-aa/

  2. Fauziyya June 21, 2022 at 9:16 am - Reply

    “If you are interested in M&E, you must be interested in data and how to use them” This is my take away from this article. Thank you for sharing

  3. Baraka August 20, 2022 at 9:22 am - Reply

    powerful am looking for mentor in the field, would you be the one?

    • Noelle Uloko September 1, 2022 at 9:23 am - Reply

      Hello, you can apply for any of our courses to get a one year post-advisory support or mentorship when you finish. We have the Online Basic M&E Course(OBME) and the Online Results-based M&e Course(ORBME). To apply for any please visit https://www.cloneshouse.com/services/obme/ or https://www.cloneshouse.com/services/orbme/

      Alternatively, you can become a paid member of our evaluation community and get 50% of all course fees. To know about the community and to join, visit https://www.cloneshouse.com/community/

      Hope this helps.

    • Akahi Johnson Ogbaji July 8, 2023 at 7:39 pm - Reply

      “Data is an artefact you can’t stop mining and a resource you can’t stop using”.
      Above all, passion is prime mover of man’s mind towards excellent performance or perfection of any task.

  4. Abdulbaki Muhammad September 12, 2022 at 1:27 pm - Reply

    Hello, my name is Abdulbaki Muhammad Yusif I am base in Kano State Nigeria, I like M&E profession but my challenge is mentor, how can I get a mentor, as my life dream in development work is to become M&E specialist.

  5. Audu owambo vivian April 24, 2023 at 5:53 pm - Reply

    Wow amazing I have really learnt a lot from this piece am just starting a position on M&E and it has really helped me. Thank you and I hope to connect more

  6. Michael August 2, 2023 at 9:57 pm - Reply

    Hello,
    Am really interested in M and E training.Am a graduate of Economics $Statistics.i intend to seek employment in one of the notable NGOs.I reside in Asaba ,Delta State.Any notable training institute helpful

  7. Abdulnaseer M Yusuf December 18, 2023 at 11:27 pm - Reply

    Hey, I’m Abdulnaseer from Ikeja Lagos which institutions in Nigeria that offer M&E postgraduate course.
    Thank you

    • Noelle Uloko January 30, 2024 at 3:29 pm - Reply

      University of Ibadan.

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