Context:

To promote the formulation of projects with well-defined results that generate large-scale impacts, the Regional Office has proposed the self-study course “Logical Framework Approach and its application in FAO projects”, with the support of the Public Policy Training Center, in order to improve the capacities of the teams responsible for the formulation and implementation of FAO projects.

Course overview

Name:

The Logical Framework Approach and its application in FAO projects

Duration:

The study of the contents of this course requires a total time commitment of approximately 20 hours, divided into recommended daily sessions of 2 hours each, which may vary depending on additional readings and research.

Course methodology:

This is designed as a self-study course where you are responsible for your own learning. It is structured into four technical-pedagogical units that must be completed sequentially. In other words, it is only possible to access the next unit once the previous unit is completed.

The content and activities of each unit are focused on different themes, which all contribute to the achievement of the learning objectives. Throughout the course you will have the opportunity to review concepts, learn and reinforce different procedures that are used in FAO, and test your knowledge. The technical-pedagogical units are linked to key concepts regarding the application of the logical framework approach in FAO projects.

The methodology uses different learning tools and self-assessment exercises for each unit, which facilitate your understanding of the contents. At the end of the course, you must develop a case study in which three different resource partners will present proposals for projects to be jointly developed with FAO.

The task consists of choosing the best alternative and developing the project formulation.

To pass the course, you must score at least 70% in a final evaluation with an unlimited number of attempts permitted.

Course description:

• Step 1: In this stage, you must complete the course to obtain the certificate. This will allow you to identify key components for the development of future projects.

• Step 2: Once you have passed the course, the Technical and Operations team will continue to provide support.

Course dates:

The course will be available from June 10, 2020.

Participants:

The course is aimed at project teams in all FAO offices in the region that participate in the design, implementation and evaluation of projects in the context of FAO’s work.

General aim:

Strengthen technical capacities for proper project design, with an emphasis on the development of initiatives that generate tangible results and large-scale impacts that contribute to a positive transformation in the livelihoods of beneficiaries, the achievement of FAO's strategic objectives and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs) at the country and region level.

Course objectives:

• Strengthen knowledge about the FAO strategic framework and its main planning instruments, in order to determine the contribution of projects within the Organization's results chain.
• Improve capacity for critical and contextual analysis of a problem and the methodological strategies to address the problem for the proper planning of solutions, prior to the phase of formulation or design of a project (Phase 1 of the FAO Project Cycle).
• Develop an understanding of horizontal and vertical logic in the context of the Logical Framework Methodology, and its importance related to both the design and the measurement of proposed and achieved results.
• Analyze the monitoring and evaluation processes through the Logical Framework Matrix as an instrument for the monitoring, supervision and evaluation of project performance under the results-based management approach.

Contents:

The first unit offers an introduction to the institutional framework of FAO in terms of its main strategic and operational management instruments. The theoretical contents related to the Logical Framework Methodology will then be reviewed, and the last two units of the course will be dedicated to the application of the contents in practical cases linked to FAO’s operations.

UNIT 1: Introduction to the FAO Strategic Framework

• Introduction
• Components of the FAO Strategic Framework
• FAO Strategic Framework
• FAO Strategic Planning: SDGs, CPF and Work Planning
• Results-based Management in FAO
• FAO Results Chain
• Results with large-scale impacts

UNIT 2: Logical Framework Approach

• Overview of the Logical Framework
• Application, scope, utility, steps
• Context analysis
• Stakeholder analysis
• Problem tree
• Solution tree
• Analysis of alternatives

UNIT 3: Formulation of the Logical Framework Matrix

• Vertical Logic
  • Impact
  • Outcome
  • Output
  • Activities
  • Cross-cutting issues
• Horizontal Logic
  • Indicators and goals
  • Development of indicators - Types
  • Methods of verification
  • Assumptions
• Formulation of Work Plan and Budget

UNIT 4: The logical framework matrix as a tool for monitoring, evaluation and project reporting

• Monitoring
• Performance evaluation
• Reports (Progress, mid-term and final report)
• Evaluation

Hardware requirements:

In order to complete the course, participants must have the following minimum technical specifications:

• PC with Internet connection
• The quality and speed of browsing and downloading documents will depend exclusively on the bandwidth of the connection.
• RAM memory at least 1GB
• Hard disk space at least 52 MB
• 600 MHz processor or faster

Software requirements:

• Latest version of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari u Opera, web browser with JavaScript enabled and Adobe Flash Player installed.
• Screen resolution at least 1024x768 pixels
• PDF document reader

Additional requirements:

• Working knowledge of Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), email and Internet browsing.
• Availability of at least 8-10 hours per week for reading and activities. The course schedule is up to the participant who may enter the classroom at anytime. However, they should login at least three times per week to complete the readings and activities.

Language:

Spanish or English.

Registration process:

Important: This course is aimed at FAO officers, as well as officials from governments and institutions that are invited by FAO.

To participate in the course, you can register from March. You will be sent an email with a link to the virtual classroom and the guidelines for the course

Course code:

• ML_EN202004

Certificate:

The certificate is generated automatically at the end of the course.

Contact:

For additional inquiries, please contact [email protected]