Monitoring
Robust and timely monitoring systems that support near real-time decision-making, adaptation and learning are critical to effective and efficient development programming. NIRAS has extensive experience in this both in the context of delivering monitoring services as part of implementation consortiums and providing external, third-party monitoring functions. We help partners strengthen their results-based monitoring systems and meet donor reporting requirements by developing robust but easy-to-use monitoring frameworks (such as logframes, management protocols), management information systems (such as SmartME) and dashboards. We are intentional about including perspectives on gender equality, diversity, and human rights principles in our monitoring approaches. When appropriate, we combine traditional monitoring approaches with data analytics and digital technology tools to support data collection, analysis and visualisation. We have experience of using innovative digital technology, such as satellite and remote sensing, natural language processing, machine learning, web-crawling, and integrated data visualisation to overcome data collection challenges.
Context monitoring and MEL in fragile and conflict-affected situations
NIRAS has extensive experience conducting MEL assignments in fragile and conflict-affected areas in Sub-Saharan and Northern Africa (Sahel, Lake Chad Basin, Gulf of Guinea, Central Africa, Great Lakes region, and Libya), Eastern Europe (Ukraine and Georgia), the Middle East (Syria and Lebanon) and Asia (Afghanistan and Myanmar).
We have developed an approach and skillset for monitoring and MEL in such contexts, involving:
- Embedding conflict-sensitivity into MEL processes
- Strengthening MEL systems and capacities
- Identifying the perceptions and needs of vulnerable women, men, boys and girls at the grassroot level
- Producing bottom-up, evidence-based analysis designed to inform programming and implementation processes
- Producing conflict and security analyses
- Working with local networks of vetted and trained data collection partners
- Documenting local situations through directly accessing all groups of populations in the selected regions
NIRAS’ work in fragile contexts is designed to (i) feed different set of deliverables, e.g. feasibility studies, (pre-deployment) training, mid-term and final evaluation, (third-party) monitoring, policy and security notes, and (ii) be directly accessible to a wider audience through dedicated and secure interactive dashboards. In order to collect credible and useful data, NIRAS places strong emphasis on systematically assessing the quality of the collection work in real-time, through dedicated and tailored tools (in-situ and remote supervision, triangulation, training, etc.). Particular attention is also given to the security of the field teams and safety of local respondents and population groups. Comprehensive duty of care policies and dedicated security protocols and training are fully integrated.
NIRAS has extensive experience conducting MEL assignments in fragile and conflict-affected areas in Sub-Saharan and Northern Africa (Sahel, Lake Chad Basin, Gulf of Guinea, Central Africa, Great Lakes region, Libya), Eastern Europe (Ukraine, Georgia), the Middle East (Syria, Lebanon) and Asia (Afghanistan, Myanmar).
We have developed an approach and skillset for monitoring and MEL in such contexts, involving:
- Embedding conflict-sensitivity into MEL processes
- Strengthening MEL systems and capacities
- Identifying the perceptions and needs of vulnerable women, men, boys and girls at the grassroot level
- Producing bottom-up, evidence-based analysis designed to inform programming and implementation processes
- Producing conflict and security analyses
- Working with local networks of vetted and trained data collection partners
- Documenting local situations through directly accessing all groups of populations in the selected regions
NIRAS’ work in fragile contexts is designed to (i) feed different set of deliverables, e.g. feasibility studies, (pre-deployment) training, mid-term and final evaluation, (third-party) monitoring, policy and security notes, and (ii) be directly accessible to a wider audience through dedicated and secure interactive dashboards. In order to collect credible and useful data, NIRAS places strong emphasis on systematically assessing the quality of the collection work in real-time, through dedicated and tailored tools (in-situ and remote supervision, triangulation, training, etc.). Particular attention is also given to the security of the field teams and safety of local respondents and population groups. Comprehensive duty of care policies and dedicated security protocols and training are fully integrated.
The knowledge and monitoring platform for the World Bank and the Lake Chad Basin Commission is a project where we simultaneously collect quantitative and qualitative data in conflict-affected regions across 10,000 respondents in four countries (Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Chad).
With this evidence, we are also supporting regional cooperation among Lake Chad’s member states by providing grounds for policy dialogues and shared understanding of common issues.
NIRAS provided services to develop a MEL system at the overall UK Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) level (£1.26 billion) which influences CSSF country and regional programmes across the globe.
Our work helped the CSSF develop stronger MEL standards and practices, thereby enabling the Fund to better demonstrate its contributions towards government priorities and to use reliable evidence for decisions. We have worked with the UK FCDO to build a strategic understanding of the shape and intent of the Fund, through the creation of a Fund-wide MEL system focused on capturing evidence and learning against fund-level outcomes. We also provided thought leadership on key CSSF principles including agility, catalytic effect and high-risk programming and helped the Fund to operationalise these.
Performing monitoring as part of fund management
From August 2020 until recently, NIRAS managed the African regional investment facility Investing for Employment (IFE). Created by KfW Development Bank on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), IFE runs until 2025 and is an integral part of BMZ’s "Special Initiative on Training and Job Creation". The aim of IFE is to provide more people in African countries with formal work so that they can benefit from improved incomes and working conditions. It does so by offering – through a competitive process – grants of EUR 1-10 million to co-finance promising viable commercial and non-commercial projects in selected countries of Africa. IFE has a funding volume of approximately EUR 80 million already committed by the German Government, and the total amount to be awarded by the fund is expected to be on the order of EUR 500 million by the end of the programme.
NIRAS is an experienced fund manager, including in relation to the monitoring function of fund management. In addition to performing fund administration duties for IFE, we were responsible for monitoring and evaluation of selected projects. In the case of IFE, the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system relied on a select set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that centred on the creation of new jobs and the enhancement of working conditions within current employment. The process of initiating proposal calls, evaluating them, making selections, and overseeing project progress was administered using a single piece of software - SmartME - which includes a dashboard offering almost real-time updates on the status of calls, projects, and the attainment of KPIs.
NIRAS manages the African regional investment facility Investing for Employment (IFE). Created by KfW Development Bank on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), IFE is an integral part of BMZ’s "Special Initiative on Training and Job Creation". The aim of IFE is to provide more people in African countries with formal work so that they can benefit from improved incomes and working conditions. It does so by offering – through a competitive process – grants of EUR 1-10 million to co-finance promising viable commercial and non-commercial projects in selected countries of Africa. IFE has a funding volume of approximately EUR 80 million already committed by the German Government, and the total amount to be awarded by the fund is expected to be on the order of EUR 500 million by the end of the programme in 2025.
NIRAS is an experienced fund manager, including in relation to the monitoring function of fund management. In addition to performing fund administration duties, we are responsible for monitoring and evaluation of selected projects. In the case of IFE, the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system relies on a select set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that centre on the creation of new jobs and the enhancement of working conditions within current employment. The process of initiating proposal calls, evaluating them, making selections, and overseeing project progress is administered using a single piece of software - SmartME - which includes a dashboard offering almost real-time updates on the status of calls, projects, and the attainment of KPIs.