Kantar Launches M&E Development Programme in Africa

WPP government and public sector advisory business Kantar Public has launched a professional development programme for Africa-based monitoring and evaluation (M&E) practitioners.

Launched two years ago, Kantar Public pools the group's expertise to offer advice on the delivery of public policy, services and communications. Its new programme focuses on both the application of technical skills and the development of the personal skills needed to design, lead and implement M&E projects. The inaugural course - held in Nairobi, Kenya - combines best international practice, international and local expert-led interactive classroom sessions with practical 'hands-on' design and implementation and dissemination of a 'real' evaluation project with a local client. In addition, attendees spend five days in the field, conducting quant and qual data research on projects, such as initiatives aiming to improve livelihoods for small business owners and to increase access to and utilization of healthcare, and projects working to reduce the use of plastic bags.

Kantar is subsidising the programme for participants. There are 25 places, for early career M&E professionals from Kenya, Zambia and Egypt, representing a broad range of donor organisations and local and international NGOs. At the end of the programme, each participant will receive certification from Kisii University in Kenya.

Those running the programme include Kantar Public researchers from Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, the UK and the US, as well as guest speakers: Jerusha Govender, founder and MD of South-African based Data Innovator, and Adeline Sibanda, President of the Africa Evaluation Association (AfrEA). Melissa Baker (pictured), CEO, Kantar Public Africa, comments: 'The programme is designed to enable participants to gain a comprehensive understanding and practical experience of all the disciplines required for successful evaluations and to develop the personal confidence and professional skills required to lead evaluation teams'.

Web site: www.kantar.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.