Coached Training: MEAL for Humanitarian and Development Professionals
Coached Training | Self-Study + 5 Live Zoom Sessions | 21 April – 19 May 2026 | $500
Coached Training: MEAL for Humanitarian and Development Professionals
Most MEAL systems collect data and report upward. Few actually drive decisions. This course is for practitioners who want to understand how MEAL works in real programmes — and build systems that learn, not just document.
This coached training equips you with practical tools to design MEAL systems that track progress, demonstrate results, and drive adaptive management. You'll develop data collection skills and create feedback mechanisms that ensure an integrated MEAL practice, leading to more responsive programming and decisions based on evidence.
In live sessions, you'll work directly with Neil Kendrick (25+ years experience) on your actual projects — ask questions, troubleshoot real challenges, and build frameworks you'll use immediately. Walk away with the confidence to lead MEAL without needing a dedicated specialist.
Who This Is For
Program managers, coordinators, and M&E officers in NGOs, UN agencies, and local organizations who want to strengthen their MEAL practice — whether you're building systems from scratch or improving what you have.
What You'll Learn
MEAL Foundations and Monitoring
Understand the core principles of MEAL systems and master monitoring fundamentals. Learn to design indicators, develop monitoring frameworks, and establish data collection systems that track progress effectively and inform decision-making.
Evaluation Design and Implementation
Design and conduct meaningful evaluations that generate actionable insights. Develop evaluation questions, select appropriate methodologies, and create evaluation plans that assess impact, effectiveness, and sustainability of interventions.
Accountability in Practice
Build accountability mechanisms that strengthen stakeholder trust and program transparency. Learn to engage communities in feedback processes, establish complaint mechanisms, and ensure programs are responsive to beneficiary needs and concerns.
Learning and Adaptive Management
Transform data and insights into adaptive program improvements. Master techniques for facilitating learning sessions, documenting lessons learned, and creating knowledge management systems that drive continuous improvement and innovation.
Integration and Application
Synthesize all MEAL components into a cohesive system for your context. In the final session, we consolidate your learning through review and action planning. You then submit your assignment for personalized feedback.
How It Works
This is a coached course combining self-study with small group live sessions. Group size is limited to 6 participants for maximum interaction and personalization.
Each week you work through structured video lessons, reflection tasks, and exercises applying concepts to your own project context (3–5 hours), then join a live Zoom session where we work through real challenges from your own context. Sessions are recorded, so if you can't attend live you can catch up before the next one.
Schedule: 21 April – 19 May 2026
| Session | Date | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-course | Before 21 Apr | Orientation materials |
| Session 1 | Tue 21 Apr | Introduction + MEAL foundations |
| Session 2 | Tue 28 Apr | Monitoring |
| Session 3 | Tue 5 May | Evaluation |
| Session 4 | Tue 12 May | Accountability |
| Session 5 | Tue 19 May | Learning + wrap-up |
| Post-course | End of May | Assignment for personalized feedback |
Live sessions: 90 minutes | 10:00 UTC
What's Included
- 5 live small-group Zoom sessions with expert coaching (recordings available)
- Full self-study course — lifetime access
- 2 bonus courses: MEAL Under Pressure + Planning for MEAL
- Practical assignment with personalized video feedback
- Certificate of Completion and Letter of Achievement (ideal for CVs and job applications)
Investment: $500 | Max 6 participants
What Participants Say
"I now understand MEAL in depth and can apply it to projects without needing specialized staff. The coaching gave me confidence to handle both qualitative and quantitative indicators and data analysis independently."
Médecins Sans Frontières
"Neil taught me to design logical frameworks and indicators to track long-term impact of our SDG projects. I've built skills in data collection and analysis and can now embed MEAL throughout our project cycle for strategic decision-making."
Kathrin E.
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