The Effective Development Group News 2009
East Timor, November 2009
In November the Effective Development Group (EDG) worked in Dili collecting information and drafting the first M&E report for the East Timor Justice Sector Support Facility (ETJSSF) funded by AusAID and managed by GRM. Meeting and discussions were held with stakeholders and counterparts discussing the ETJSSF achievements in 2009. A visit was also made to the Facility’s Suai district pilot project.
South Africa, October 2009
In October the Effective Development Group (EDG) provided an interim M&E Specialist to the EC-supported Sustainable Rural Development in Eastern Cape (SURUDEC) Programme in South Africa, to which GRM International provides three long-term international technical assistants. EDG supported the appraisal and final development of three grant applications. This included ensuring that proposals were aligned with programme objectives of developing social capital and growing community assets, ensuring that activity schedules were clearly defined and realistic, and confirming that activities were accurately resourced and correctly link into project budgets. EDG also supported the conception and development of pipeline inputs concerning: a) a lessons learned review of the grant application cycle; and b) a value-chain analysis capacity building exercise.
The Solomon Islands, October 2009
EDG is providing services to a Mid-Term Review of RAMSI Machinery of Government Accountability Program in the Solomon Islands. This independent review examines the progress of the program in relation to appropriateness, effectiveness, and key issues/risks, with a view to inform:
· Program management and implementation in the current operating context of the Solomon Islands; and
· Future policy decisions and directions by Solomon Islands Government and RAMSI as they relate to the Program.
The review team was composed of three experts and Laurent de Schoutheete served as the program Specialist.
Southern Africa, October 2009
The Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation in Pretoria, South Africa has invited the Effective Development Group to refine its draft Food Security Strategy for the Southern Africa Development Community. The assignment, which concludes in early December 2009, will also see EDG develop mechanisms to operationalise the CHF 16m (USD 14.9m budget) programme.
East Timor, September 2009
The Effective Development Group (EDG) worked on finalising the Performance Assessment Framework (PAF) for the AusAID funded and GRM International managed, Public Sector Capacity Development Project (PSCDP) and assisted with further development of the Performance Management Framework (PMF) for the East Timor Justice Sector Support Facility (ETJSSF). EDG also provided support to the ETJSSF in the initial categorisation of grant applications received from civil society organisations (CSOs). The grants mechanism is focused on enhancing equitable access to justice information and services, especially for Timorese in remote areas.
Australia, September 2009
The Effective Development Group was a silver sponsor of the Australasian Evaluation Society International Conference held from 31 August – 4 September 2009 in Canberra. The focus of the conference was on Evidence and Evaluation and provided opportunity for delegates to discuss and learn contemporary issues in the theory and practice of evaluation. The conference was well attended with more than 400 delegates participating. More information on the conference is available at www.aesconference2009.com.au.
Australia, July 2009
The Effective Development Group is supporting the development of an Indigenous Workforce Development Strategy for the Tourism and Hospitality Sector in the Northern Territory. This project is funded under the Indigenous Training for Employment Program (ITEP), a jointly administered program of the Australian Government Department of Employment, Education and Workplace Relations and the Northern Territory Department of Business and Employment. EDG works together with CHARTTES and Cross-Cultural Consultant to develop the Performance Assessment Framework (PAF) that will allow a continual M&E process and direct the implementation of the Strategy.
Democratic Republic of Congo, June 2009
The DfID Provision of Monitoring and Evaluation Services for a Security Sector Accountability & Police Programme (SSAPR): Democratic Republic of Congo has seen EDG in full design mode starting late April until the design phase finishes in July. EDG responsibility includes the design of the program M&E Framework, as well as the coordination, standardisation and harmonisation of methodologies and outputs between the three program components respectively managed by Price Waterhouse Coopers UK and a consortium made of the African Security Sector Network (ASSN) and Development Alternative Inc (DAI).
Australia, June 2009
AusAID’s Office of Development Effectiveness is conducting a Civil Society Engagement Evaluation which will improve understanding of the role of donor support and good practice in AusAID. As part of the evaluation, EDG is assisting with a Civil Society Mapping Exercise which will characterise and quantify AusAID’s engagement with civil society in selected countries.
Afghanistan, May 2009
GRM Afghanistan being busy with M&E needs required an Impact Assessment adviser for Support to Strategic Planning for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods, Phase II (DfID). An M&E Adviser was also needed for the Development Assistance Facility for Afghanistan Phase II (AusAID), to support the Performance Assessment Framework. EDG is providing M&E services to both programs.
Papua New Guinea, April 2009
The PNG Agricultural Research and Development Support Facility (ARDSF) required an evaluation to be done of the predecessor to the current Agricultural Innovations Grant Scheme (AIGS). The evaluation looked at the impact of the previous grants scheme on beneficiaries and better ways in which the current scheme could operate given the lessons learned from the past.
The Solomon Islands, March 2009
EDG has recently been contracted by AusAID to design a comprehensive and robust monitoring and evaluation framework for the Electoral System Strengthening Program (ESSP) in the Solomon Islands. The ESSP is part of RAMSI’s Machinery of Government Program and has been developed to assist the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission to enhance electoral administration machinery.
Papua New Guinea, February 2009
EDG has conducted in February a review of the PNG Agricultural Research and Development Support Facility (ARDSF) M&E framework with a twofold aim:
- Review the current M&E system for ARDSF, provide professional comment and advise on a way forward in achieving agreed outcomes.
- Review and agree a way forward on undertaking the first impact assessment.
As a result, a new approach for M&E has been put forward and the AIGF impact assessment will commence in April.