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

 Whether there 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 Reporting

• Align the UNDAF annual

review process with the • Annual reporting
national review process. is NOT required.
• To facilitate this, sector • A single UNDAF
or interagency groups are progress report is
formed around each Evaluation required per
outcome or national UNDAF cycle.
priority

• UNDAF evaluation is REQUIRED.

• It is linked with national evaluations.
However, the modalities are flexible.
 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 MoV 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
Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5
Knowledge F
of HIV N DA !
Surveys/ d U rvey
prevention?
ine u
eS
mb Access
Caring i n
Studies
M&E Activities

o
C a se l
practices? to
B Services?
Monitoring
Systems
Eval. of support to
Evaluations Nat. HIV/AIDS
Prog (UNAIDS-
UNCT

May)

Reviews

UNDAF Eval.
Milestones
Refs.

Capacity DevInfo training

for key ministries
(March)
Building
Planning

Use of info Nat HIV/AIDS

Review (Sept)
CA&UNDAF
Preparation
(March-May)

Partner M&E
Activities
 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?