Projects

Fostering Collaboration, Learning, and Monitoring in USAID Activities in Jordan

Kaizen supports implementing partners, local monitoring-and-evaluation organizations, and the Government of Jordan in monitoring, evaluation, and strategic assessment through collaborative learning and adaptation.

Jordan faces daunting challenges—including a growing population, high unemployment rates, and increasing number of refugees—as it strives to address development and socio-political priorities. To support USAID’s robust program portfolio in the country, the USAID Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Activity (MELA) in Jordan aims to improve management, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making of existing and future programs. Kaizen has partnered with the Government of Jordan to support efforts to address development challenges and advance economic stability and future prosperity.

Highlights

Conducted 11 training sessions for 267 participants on developing MEL Plans
Evaluated USAID activities related to public financial management and entrepreneurship
Reviewed 14 new Mission Performance Management Plans to support implementation
Co-created MEL Plans with Jordan’s Ministries of Youth, Education, and Health
Facilitated 10 local MEL organizations through the Accelerator Program

Thank you very much for a truly informative and engaging training session. Your project is adding value to local companies/consultants both in knowledge and how to implement it practically.

Lutfi Sayegh, Partner Consulting Services, BDO Jordan

In Jordan, local monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) organizations have an essential role in advancing these efforts. However, these organizations need to develop their capacity to provide the high-quality MEL necessary for locally and internationally funded activities. Through MELA, Kaizen is working with local firms to ensure USAID activities achieve intended results while strengthening local capacity. Initiatives include training and guiding monitoring and evaluation (M&E) specialists, technical staff, and senior management within USAID/Jordan and implementing partners; supporting the ability of the government, local firms, academia, nongovernmental organizations, and professionals to manage programs, establish a pool of local experts, and remove the need for future USAID M&E assistance; providing local organizations with technical assistance that enables them to bid on USAID opportunities; and creating MEL communities of practice that support the long-term sustainability of development work in Jordan.

In addition, our team is developing and enhancing knowledge management platforms, such as DevResults and USAID’s Jordan Development Knowledge Management Portal ( to encourage the use of data to improve assessments and decision-making.