Over the past 18 months, I have traveled throughout the Middle East, conducting assessments, research, and evaluations for several donors, including the State Department, USAID, ILO, and the World Bank. This extensive journey allowed me to reflect on key learnings, best practices, and the challenges surrounding the localization of monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) approaches across the MENA region. In this article, I would like to share some of my insights.
Jordan stands out as a country that offers some of the best skilled, young, dedicated, and eager-to-learn cadres of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) professionals. I have met and worked with young MEL professionals who are self-taught, never hesitant to ask questions, and are open to failing forward.
When considering the macroeconomic landscape of Jordan, it becomes clear that one of the country’s strongest resources is its talent. Jordan ranks high in terms of enrollment in higher education and is also recognized for the quality of its education system. In 2022, school enrollment at the tertiary level (as a percentage of gross enrollment) was reported at 36.01%, according to the World Bank, drawing on officially recognized sources.
Jordan also has a strong rule of law, supported by a stable monarchy that has successfully absorbed shocks from waves of immigrants since 1948, including those from 1967, 1991, 2003, and more recently, millions of Syrians, Yemenis, and Libyans.
Despite these challenges, Jordan has managed to remain focused on education and has balanced the complex interplay of economic, ethnic and social challenges. Localization is not just a concept in Jordan; it is a practice nurtured by the government, civil society, and local MEL firms that grasp the opportunities for learning and growth, slowly but steadily. Hats off to Jordan.
Leveraging Women’s Talent in MEL: Addressing Workforce Participation Gaps in the Middle East
The Middle East is known for paradoxical trends, particularly in the realm of women’s education and workforce participation. Despite high levels of female enrollment in STEM fields, the region struggles with significantly low femaleworkforce participation. For instance, in Jordan and Palestine, while women make up 60% of university SREM graduates in some areas, their representation in the workforce remains dismally low, at just 17%.
This underutilization of skilled women has a profound impact on the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) localization efforts. The untapped talent pool could be effectively utilized by integrating women into MEL functions, where their expertise can be harnessed through flexible work arrangements. Women, especially those with familial responsibilities, could work from home, leveraging technology and virtual tools to collect and analyze data. Indeed, this represents a missed opportunity—one that could be turned into a significant advantage by enabling and empowering women to contribute meaningfully to the workforce through innovative MEL practices.
The Issue of Conspiracy Theories and Mistrust
A challenge to implementing MEL in the Middle East is the widespread concern about data privacy and security. Many local communities and governments have reservations about sharing data with foreign entities, fearing it may be used for purposes other than intended. This skepticism often stems from historical experiences in the region, leading to questions about the motivations behind MEL activities. Such concerns can hinder data collection efforts, as local communities may be hesitant to participate or may provide incomplete or inaccurate data. Additionally, local authorities may be cautious about allowing MEL activities, potentially viewing them as a potential security risk. Addressing this issue requires localization strategy to build trust through transparency, open communication, and ensuring that data is used responsibly and ethically.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Even within individual countries in the MENA region, diverse economic, social, and political landscapes necessitate tailored approaches to MEL localization. A one-size-fits-all strategy is ineffective, as approaches that work in one part of a country may fail in another. For example, in Yemen, the ongoing conflict significantly hinders local capacity in some regions, while others have stronger human capital and greater exposure to donor communities. This disparity underscores the importance of within-country localization. By understanding and addressing the unique challenges and opportunities in each specific context, MEL efforts can be more effective and sustainable. This sub-localized approach ensures that activities are aligned with local needs, priorities, and capacities, leading to better outcomes.
The Impact of Conflict on MEL Ecosystems
Conflict is a significant barrier to effective MEL platform implementation in the Middle East. Countries like West Bank Gaza, Sudan, Libya, Syria, and even relatively stable ones like Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, and Jordan, face challenges due to their unique political and social climates. The instability in these regions affects local cohesion and complicates collaboration among MEL stakeholders. Furthermore, these conflicts hinder the ability of local institutions to conduct rigorous evaluations and analyses, thus impacting the overall effectiveness of MEL efforts.
Capacity Gaps in Data Collection and Analysis
A major challenge in the MENA region is the limited capacity of local institutions to collect and analyze data. This issue is particularly pronounced in conflict zones where resources are scarce, and access to accurate information is restricted. Moreover, there is often a lack of training and technical expertise, which hinders the ability of local organizations to meet the standards expected by international donors. Enhancing local capacity is crucial for the successful localization of MEL. Also, leveraging technical capabilities to provide virtual capacity and training is key.
Sensitivity of MEL to Political Contexts
MEL activities are inherently sensitive to the political environments in which they operate. In the MENA region, where many countries experience political instability, this sensitivity can pose a significant challenge. Building trust and buy-in through localization efforts is crucial to address these concerns. Governments may be reluctant to allow MEL activities that could expose weaknesses or failures in their policies. In some cases, local authorities might also interfere with or manipulate data collection to serve their interests, further complicating efforts to conduct objective evaluations.
Limited Skill Sets and Data Culture
A significant gap exists in the skills required for effective MEL in the Middle East. The region lacks trained professionals capable of conducting complex evaluations and data analysis. Additionally, the culture of data-driven decision-making is still developing in many MENA countries. This cultural gap means that even when data is collected, it may not be used effectively to inform policy or program adjustments. Many in the MENA region associate data with audits and judgments, rather than as a tool for improvement. Promoting the idea of using data for performance enhancement, rather than solely for audits, requires significant social marketing efforts to address this cultural barrier.
Challenges in Data Gathering in Non permissive Environments
Data gathering in non-permissive environments poses significant risks to data collectors. Physical safety, unreliable sources, and the difficulty of verifying information are all major challenges faced by MEL practitioners. In regimes with limited transparency and accountability, gathering accurate data becomes even more difficult, hindering the effectiveness of MEL efforts. Localization is an effective strategy to mitigate these risks. By partnering with local organizations and individuals, MEL practitioners can gain access to information while reducing their exposure to risk. Local partners are often more familiar with the cultural nuances, political dynamics, and social networks within their communities, allowing them to collect more accurate and reliable data. Additionally, localization can help build trust with local stakeholders, making it easier to obtain their cooperation and support.
The Gap Between Local and International MEL Firms
Another significant barrier is the gap between local MEL firms and international donors. Local firms often struggle to meet the stringent requirements set by international organizations, leading to a reliance on foreign consultants. This reliance undermines the localization process and stifles the growth of local MEL capacity. Bridging this gap requires a concerted effort to build the skills and capabilities of local firms so they can compete on an MEL international level.
