UNDAF ME Systems Purpose Can explain the importance

UNDAF M&E Systems Purpose • Can explain the importance of functioning M&E system for the UNDAF • Can support formulation and implementation of UNDAF M&E plans

What are Monitoring and Evaluation?

Monitoring vs. Evaluation Monitoring Evaluation Systematic, ongoing Systematic, periodic During programme implementation During and after programme implementation Tracking of activities and progress Judgement of merit, value or worth of a programme/project According to AWP Compared to evaluation criteria (relevance, effectiveness, impact) For short term corrective action For decision-making about future programmes Accountability for implementation Accountability for results Contributes to evaluation For office & organizational learning Conducted by insiders Conducted by impartial outsiders Are we doing things right? Did we do the rights things?

Monitoring § Track progress towards the agreed results in the UNDAF matrix § Checks if assumptions made and risks identified at the design stage are still valid or need to be reviewed § Allows UNCTs and implementing partners to make mid-course corrections as an integral part of programme management

And Why Do We Need It? UN is responsible, with partners, to monitor achievement of results Regular and systematic assessment of progress Continued review of partners’ capacity development needs Improve results-based reporting on achievements Strengthen teamwork and ownership of the UNDAF among implementing partners Feeds into evaluation and real-time learning

What is Evaluation? § Systematic, impartial assessment § External, separated from programme management § Determines whether results made a worthwhile contribution to national development priorities Criteria: relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact, sustainability § 3 key functions: Programme improvement Accountability Organisational learning

And why do we need to do it? § Whether we are Doing the Right Things – Relevance/rationale/justification – Client satisfaction § Whether we are Doing it Right – – Effectiveness/coherence Efficiency: optimizing resources Sustainability Impact § Whethere are Better Ways of Doing it – – Alternatives Good practices Lessons learned Improved positioning to influence next development planning framework

UNDAF M&E System: Tools § Results Matrix § M&E Plan § Reliable data systems § Annual Review [and report] § Single Progress Report per UNDAF cycle § Evaluation Annual reviews and end-of-cycle evaluations are mandatory

UNDAF M&E System: Process Annual Review Process • Align the UNDAF annual review process with the national review process. • To facilitate this, sector or interagency groups are formed around each outcome or national priority Reporting Evaluation • UNDAF evaluation is REQUIRED. • It is linked with national evaluations. However, the modalities are flexible. • Annual reporting is NOT required. • A single UNDAF progress report is required per UNDAF cycle.

M&E Plan Purpose § A plan for regular data collection and reviews Focus: Monitor the achievement of outputs and contribution toward outcomes § Describes modalities and key mechanisms for M&E with partners § Enables real-time, evidence-based decision making

M&E Plan Considerations § Designed at same time as the UNDAF Results Matrix in consulation with partners and beneficiaries - Table or narrative § Elaborates on Mo. V part of matrix § Describes key data collection methods, frequency, and responsibility § Outcome indicators from national monitoring and survey systems (as far as possible) § Baseline studies can be supported

UNDAF M&E Calendar §Planning Refs. §UNCT M&E Activities Yr 1 Surveys/ Studies Monitoring Systems Evaluations Knowledge F of HIV DA ! N prevention? d U rvey ine Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 u e. S Caring mb Access n i o l to C ase practices? B Services? Eval. of support to Nat. HIV/AIDS Prog (UNAIDSMay) Reviews UNDAF Eval. Milestones Capacity Building Use of info Partner M&E Activities Dev. Info training for key ministries (March) Nat HIV/AIDS Review (Sept) CA&UNDAF Preparation (March-May) Yr 5

UNDAF Annual Review • An opportunity for UNCT to – Engage with government and other partners – Review overall progress towards results, and takes stock of lessons and good practices – Give direction for annual planning processes and commitments for the coming year. • Aligned with mechanisms and review of the national development plan • Building on agency-specific annual review processes • 3 step process suggested…

UNDAF Annual Review

Progress Report Purpose • Show progress towards achieving national development priorities supported by the UNDAF • Enhance mutual accountability Important for UN and Gov to have common expectations about use of report Standard Operational Format from UNDG

UNDAF Evaluation: Use and planning • Use determines timing, methodology, stakeholder participation • Key questions – What information is needed? – Who will use the information? – How will it be used? • Updated results matrix is key tool for planning • UNDAF evaluations focus on UNDAF outcomes (do they…? ) Did the UNDAF make the best use of the UNCT’s comparative advantages in the country? Did the UNDAF generate a coherent UNCT response to national priorities? Did the UNDAF help achieve the selected priorities in the national development framework?

Food for thought: Attribution and Contribution Analysis §Explores attribution by assessing the contribution to observed results §Key Questions: • Which links in the results chain are strong and weak? • How credible is the attribution story overall? • Do stakeholders agree with the story? • Where are the main weaknesses in the story?