This project supports World University Service of Canada (WUSC) in reviewing and strengthening its Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Strategy to align with the organization’s 2030 Strategic Plan and its emphasis on evidence‑based impact and learning. The assignment focuses on assessing existing global MERL strategy, Theory of Change, indicators, tools, processes, and MERL resources, and identifying ways to improve all aspects of the MERL system with an emphasis on systemic change measurement and revamping the learning function for program improvement. Through a phased and consultative process, engaging leadership and technical teams, the project delivered practical, learning‑centered recommendations for a new MERL strategy that enhance WUSC’s ability to use evidence for decision‑making, program improvement, and communicating impact to external stakeholders.

MarketShare Associates (MSA) provides strategic advisory and technical support to WUSC’s core MERL team for the review and redevelopment of the organizational MERL Strategy. MSA reviews existing MERL documentation, including strategies, guidelines, reports, and the Theory of Change, and offers structured feedback aligned with WUSC’s 2030 priorities. MSA facilitates consultations and ideation sessions with WUSC’s global leadership, technical advisory team, and MERL staff to surface learning needs, assess current practices, and explore new tools, methods, and processes. MSA participates in and supports the Learning Tools Exploration Workshop, helping WUSC examine complexity‑aware and systems‑oriented approaches to measuring change. MSA co‑designs a structured interview process with the MERL team to capture staff perspectives on learning, evidence use, and past MERL challenges, and synthesizes findings into actionable recommendations. MSA supports drafting and refining updates to the MERL Strategy, facilitates feedback and reflection sessions, and provides practical inputs to ensure the strategy is useful, right‑sized, learning‑centered, and capable of capturing outcomes and systemic change across WUSC’s portfolio.