Monitoring and Evaluation in Development

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Standard

An average of 10 hours each week.

Admission to a Masters course in Development Studies.

None

Knowledge gained in an undergraduate degree with at least a minor in development studies or a related field.

None

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website : http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

The indispensability of effective monitoring and evaluation (M & E) as a tool in NGO projects and program management is unquestionably recognized within the development sector. Efficient monitoring and evaluation acts as an anchor to keep the project moving in the right direction in terms of time allocated and finances planned at the project planning phase. Historically, M & E was a tool to make the NGOs/development organizations accountable to the donors. Traditionally, monitoring and evaluation was conducted by foreign experts and consultants, who did not have a good idea of the foreign countries in which they were supposed to monitor and evaluate NGO programs and projects. This resulted in difficulty getting the right kind of information for effective M & E. The shortcomings of conventional approach to monitoring and evaluation led to the realization of participatory monitoring and evaluation. In contrast to foreign consultants doing monitoring and evaluations, participatory M & E is conducted by the local people, project staff, managers, and other stakeholders. It is now recognized as a tool of empowerment and capacity building of local communities.

This subject aims to offer competing theories and models of project monitoring and evaluation and the historical backdrop in which such models and theories were evolved. The other objective of the subject is to impart practical skills to students so that they may develop the technical proficiency to do project/program monitoring and evaluation. In the later part of the semester, the subject will also include techniques of impact assessment of NGOs projects. The emphasis will be on impact on NGOs development projects rather than on assessing the social impact of policies or mega public sector development plans. Practical fieldwork will be an essential part of the subject. In practical work, the students will be required to do M & E of community based projects or a project by a local NGO. On completion, the students will learn practical skills required to do project and program monitoring and evaluation and will gain expert theoretical knowledge about M &amp. E within the development context. It is expected that the students will be able to provide their expert services regarding project and program management to non governmental organizations, as employees and as development consultants.

A 1000 word group project (10%) due during semester, a 2000 word report (40%) due during semester, and a 2000 word essay (50%) due during the examination period.

Hurdle Requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. Students who fail to meet this hurdle requirement will be deemed ineligible to submit the final piece of assessment for this subject. Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment that is submitted after the due date and up to 10 working days late without an approved extension will be marked on a pass/fail basis only. Assessment that is submitted later than 10 working days will not be accepted or marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

A subject reader will be provided at the start of semester.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Links to further information: