Antecedentes

A well structured Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) System is critical for assessing the effectiveness or lack thereof of measures to eradicate hunger and poverty. Recognizing this, the Government of Ethiopia has put in place a well structured, institutionalized, comprehensive and complementary M&E system since 1996. The system has been providing the necessary socio-economic data and information for the M&E system of the then Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction Program (SDPRP) and the now Plan for Accelerated and Sustained Development to End Poverty (PASDEP). Among the institutions that contribute to tracking progress of PASDEP are the Central Statistical Authority (CSA) and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MOFED) – in particular its Welfare Monitoring Unit (WMU). Both play a role in providing welfare and poverty data, analysis and dissemination.
 
In 2004, the Ethiopian government prepared two interlinked M&E strategies as part of the preparation for the implementation of the Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction Programme (SDPRP). These were
the SDPRP M&E Action Plan and
a proposal that takes forward the action plan under the title “Strengthening data collection, analysis and dissemination on poverty monitoring and the Millennium Development Goals”.
 
The purposes of the proposal were (1) to create the necessary evidence, both qualitatively and quantitatively, at low levels of aggregation on welfare outcomes and inputs as deemed necessary, via new data collection, integration of existing data and advanced analysis of all available data and (2) to enhance the dissemination and use of data and findings related to welfare outcomes and inputs to all stakeholders. The approved proposal covered two phases (June 2004 to 2005 and 2005 to 2008, which was later extended to 2009) with a total budget of $18 million of which $7.3 million was supported from donors[1] through an M&E pooled fund managed by UNDP. In line with this proposal, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the contributing DAG members, CSA and MoFED, with a 5-year term to provide support for the implementation of the proposal that takes forward the action plan, with specific emphasis of support on: through an M&E pooled fund managed by UNDP. In line with this proposal, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the contributing DAG members, CSA and MoFED, with a 5-year term to provide support for the implementation of the proposal that takes forward the action plan, with specific emphasis of support on:
statistical work, including the Household Income, Consumption and Expenditure Survey (HICES) and the Welfare Monitoring Survey (WMS);
data storage and dissemination; and
capacity building in CSA and WMU respectively
 
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MOFED) and Central Statistical Authority (CSA) were the main implementing partners of this proposal; some non-state actors’ research institutions and civil society organizations[2], engaged in the areas mentioned above, also benefited from the support. Major activities have been undertaken with the support of the M&E pooled fund as part of the proposal implementation; particularly the statistical work, support to CSOs, capacity building, and some activities in dissemination and research. Products which have been produced include: Household and Income, Consumption and Expenditure Survey, Welfare Monitoring Survey, establishment of an information management system for CSA, development of data systems and economy-wide models, capacity development, and CSOs monitoring SDPRP/PASDEP. The implementation period of the programme was extended to cater for the utilization of unspent budget, based on the same set of priorities outlined in the original proposal. , engaged in the areas mentioned above, also benefited from the support. Major activities have been undertaken with the support of the M&E pooled fund as part of the proposal implementation; particularly the statistical work, support to CSOs, capacity building, and some activities in dissemination and research. Products which have been produced include: Household and Income, Consumption and Expenditure Survey, Welfare Monitoring Survey, establishment of an information management system for CSA, development of data systems and economy-wide models, capacity development, and CSOs monitoring SDPRP/PASDEP. The implementation period of the programme was extended to cater for the utilization of unspent budget, based on the same set of priorities outlined in the original proposal.
 
Both government and donor recognize that M&E requirements and priorities evolve as the strategic direction of the development process moves to different levels or changes in other ways. In particular: decentralization of resources to woreda level demands attention to be given to collecting and analyzing poverty/welfare data at a lower level of government structures; pressure to increase the frequency of monitoring arises from the need to take into account the dynamic nature of the current economy and to have up to date information to measure MDGs goals; the Paris Declaration commits donors to strengthen partner countries’ systems and structures, including building statistical capacity; a new National Strategy for the Development of Statistics was published by CSA in 2009 as a comprehensive statement of national priorities for statistical capacity building and priority statistical activities for 2009-2014. All these factors necessitate review and revision of the M&E action plan, as a basis for future support to the continuing goal of “strengthening data collection, analysis and dissemination on poverty monitoring and the Millennium Development Goals”.
 
The MoU covering donors’ support for implementation of the proposal from 2004 to 2009 also planned for regular discussion between government and contributing donors to monitor progress, discuss implementation blockages and learn lessons. There is some agreement amongst government and DAG members that this aspect of the programme has not been fully functional due to a number of reasons, but to date these have not been fully explored and documented.
 
There is also some consensus amongst the M&E representatives of the DAG that the management arrangements of the M&E pooled fund have not been optimal, in terms of facilitating regular discussion between donors and government and timely submission of progress and financial reports. Given the timing of the completion of the funding in the M&E pooled fund and the challenges experienced, it is timely that an in-depth assessment of the programme and management arrangements takes place in order to inform the design of the next phase.
 
It is therefore deemed necessary and timely for an assessment to be undertaken, to review the achievements and operation of the M&E pooled fund from 2004 to 2009, identify lessons learnt and make recommendations for the future operation and management of M&E pooled funding in Ethiopia, and to review and update the priorities for an action plan to guide the use of M&E pooled funding for 2010 to 2014. 
 
 
Purpose and Objective
 
The overall objectives of this assessment are twofold, to be undertaken in two phases: 

• to identify lessons learnt from the implementation of the M&E pooled fund from 2004 to 2009 and
• review and update the M&E action plan and budget with appropriate implementation arrangements as the basis for next M&E pooled fund for Ethiopia for 2010 to 2014. 

The specific purposes of the assignment are to: 

 Assesses the extent to which

• the agreed action plan objectives have been achieved;
• the M&E pooled fund has supported implementation of the proposal that takes forward the M&E action plan.
• Outline the opportunities and challenges in implementing the M&E action plan; and in the implementation of the M&E pooled fund by assessing the current coordination and harmonization within DAG structures and between donors and the Government with respect to national monitoring and evaluation and statistical capacity building.
• Use the above findings to design the action plan and management arrangements of a next phase of M&E pooled funding for 2010 to 2014.

Deberes y responsabilidades

Scope of work:

• Analyse the extent to which the M&E pooled fund has supported the delivery of the specific outputs stated under the action plan, and the extent to which it has contributed to evidence based policy making and/or policy implementation.
• Investigate the roles and responsibilities of each partner, planning and reporting (financial and audit) requirement, dialogue structures in order to propose an inclusive and mutually accountable governance structure.
• Analyse the evidence available to understand whether the M&E pooled fund has enhanced institutional linkage/coordination and sustainable capacity building of benefiting institutions.
• Analyze and determine the Scope of an M&E Pooled Fund going beyond the needs of MoFED and CSA to include key sector ministries and other appropriate agencies at all administrative level.
• Consult with partners the implications of the demand for more frequent, grassroots level and time series data on timelines and relevance of data, analysis of data, instruments to be modified and new ones introduced, and capacity and resources requirement.
• Determine whether the non government partners (CSOs, research institutes) support contributed to achieving the overall programme objectives and how it can be better tailored to fill the gaps in the government M&E system.
• Design a new program document, including a proposed M&E framework, and propose an indicative annual budget with clear management arrangements to link the action plan with the M&E pooled fund.

Outputs

• Inception report (maximum of 15 pages) indicating the approach to undertake the assignment, details of the tools to be used and list of stakeholders to be contacted
• A review report (maximum of 30 pages) in English (electronic and hard copy) that addresses each aspect of the terms of reference outlining the findings and proposing clear and manageable recommendations.
• A programme document based on the outcome of the review exercise (maximum of 50 pages, in electronic and hard copy) that addresses each aspect of the terms of reference.
• The summary of  review report and programme document will be presented to stakeholders at a workshop

Methodology

• Information can be gathered through a combination of the following methods.
• Desk study of all relevant reports both from the DAG secretariat and implementing partners.
• Interview and meetings with stakeholders – donors, implementing partners (MOFED and CSA), DAG secretariat including the M&E TWG, representatives of national welfare monitoring steering and technical advisory committees, research institutions and civil society organizations.
• Validation of findings and recommendations through stakeholder discussion. 

Reporting and Communication

• The consultant will report directly to the M&E steering committee (donor representatives, CSA, MOFED) and for all administrative matters to the DAG Secretariat.
• All communication related to contractual matters are to be directed to the DAG Secretariat

Competencias

• Strong experience in conducting consultative programme/project review
• Experience or demonstrated understanding of approaches to statistical capacity building in developing countries
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written English

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

• Since the assignment focuses on both review of past experience of the current M&E pooled fund and designing of a new one, proposals are invited from an international consultant who can demonstrate strong experience both in statistics/M&E in developing countries, and in conducting programme reviews.
• Specifically, the consultants should have a combination of the following educational background and work experience:
• Academic qualifications to Masters level - social scientist, economist, or statistician
• Strong experience in monitoring and evaluation of country PRSPs, preferably in the Ethiopian context
• Previous work experience in developing countries, preferably in Africa