Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning for Yemen (MERLY) Programme

The FCDO needs monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL) for the purpose of accountability, to demonstrate the effectiveness and impact of our activities to taxpayers, partners, and other stakeholders. However the value of MERL goes beyond accountability, to embedding learning in development and diplomatic activities. MERL identifies what works, for whom and in what circumstances, as well as what does not and why. MERL supplies a robust evidence base on effectiveness and impact, for informing course correction, future policy and investment decisions. Therefore, utilising quality MERL increases the Value for Money (VfM) of programmes, policies and decisions. The FCDO is strongly committed to providing VfM.

The UK government remains dedicated to supporting peace in Yemen and has committed over £1 billion to date. The current FCDO Yemen portfolio spans humanitarian, economic, peacebuilding and CSSF programming, alongside diplomatic activities and policymaking. However, due to the risks, FCDO has not been based in country since 2015. We require improved monitoring, evaluation, research and learning to inform planning, delivery, and risk management in this complex context.

The overarching objective of the proposed Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning for Yemen (MERLY) programme is to help ensure that FCDO Yemen delivers impact at scale and to a high quality, influencing the broader international response in Yemen. It is proposed that MERLY will take a holistic, whole-of-office approach to inform, assure, and improve cohesive policy, programmatic and diplomatic decision-making, and results. The programme will be heavily engaged across the FCDO Yemen team, and the supplier will be expected to deliver a range of small, medium, and large services to meet the programme objective. It is anticipated that the majority of activities will be ODA-eligible, but a minority may be non-ODA.

The MERLY programme will succeed and expand upon the current FCDO Yemen Independent Monitoring, Evaluation and Data Analysis (IMEDA) programme 2018-2023. Further information regarding the IMEDA programme can be found on DevTracker via programme code 300680: DevTracker Project GB-GOV-1-300680 (fcdo.gov.uk)