The APF has held a series of online workshops with senior staff from Samoa's national human rights institution to support them develop a monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) framework to inform their work.

The workshops involved practical activities based a new APF resource that guides NHRIs through the process of developing and implementing a MEAL framework and plan.

"The discussions with the Office of the Ombudsman were very helpful in order to test, revise and finalise the resource," APF Manager of Capacity Development Kate Turner-Mann said.

"It was also a timely exercise to work with the senior leadership team of Samoa's NHRI as the Office looks to develop a new strategic plan in 2021," she said.

Ms Tuner-Mann said a robust MEAL framework helps NHRIs to:

• Evaluate the effectiveness of their institution
• Demonstrate the impact of their work
• Reflect and adjust their strategies and priorities
• Generate a data-driven picture of their work.

"Our new resource is designed to provide practical guidance so that NHRIs have the tools they need to develop a MEAL framework and plan that is relevant to their individual circumstances," Ms Turner-Mann said.

The resource draws on the experiences of Samoa's NHRI and the steps taken since 2018 to establish and embed a monitoring and evaluation framework within the NHRI's operations.

Since September, a reference group of representatives from the NHRIs of Australia, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Philippines and Thailand have contributed to the development of the resource, sharing good practice examples and providing valuable feedback.

The MEAL resource, which will incorporate lessons learned from the recent workshops with Samoa's NHRI, will be launched in December.

A online training course to complement the resource will follow in 2021.