Monitoring & Evaluation
Monitoring and Evaluation are part and parcel of project implementation to ensure the goals of the projects or program are being achieved and that continuous learning is embedded to adjust implementation plan accordingly while operating within the project scope. Our M&E approach applies at all stages of the project from baseline studies, mid-term, end term and post evaluation or conducting a stock take to determine if the choice of project/ projects was relevant, effective and efficiently implemented.
Using this lens, and with a focus on the objectives or programmatic areas outlined per project/program, we review existing and related reports while interviewing and listening
to conversations with stakeholders with these measures in mind. Our M&E approach enable us to consider the extent to which (and the possible reasons why) different projects as well as programming approaches may have or may not have excelled on these measures and capture the lessons and recommendations to inform future priority intervention areas, investment portfolios and coordination mechanisms.
Projects we have supported
a) Stock-taking of Past Livestock Emergency and Rehabilitation Interventions in Africa
Funder/ Partner: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Geographical Coverage: Africa- wide
Period of implementation: September 2019- Ongoing
Description: Despite a myriad of interventions in Livestock Emergency and Rehabilitation Interventions executed by various institutions over the years and covering overlapping geographies, there has not been a comprehensive documentation of the results. Particularly on what worked and did not work at the design or implementation stages of the programs and at the level of results (outcomes and impacts) of these investments, to form compelling bases on which future policy decision, programming and investment can be anchored. Thus, there is need to take stock of interventions taken in Africa over the last 3 decades by governments, FAO country, regional, sub-regional and various stakeholders, with the aim of enhancing capacities of livestock-dependent communities to respond to emergency and rehabilitate their livelihoods after emergencies. ECI-Africa has been engaged to conduct a stock-take exercise of all the livestock resilience programs (emergency and rehabilitation) undertaken in the region by not only FAO but also other stakeholders in Horn of Africa, the Sahel and Southern Africa dating back to the year 2000 to inform future investment and programming in emergency response programs
b) Opportunities & Risks of Head of States and Government Champions (HoSG)
Funder/ Partner: Wasafiri Consulting
Geographical Coverage: Continent-wide
Period of implementation: July – October 2018
Description: ECI-Africa supported Wasafiri Consulting to identify the opportunities and risks of establishing a HoSG Champions Group to encourage higher performance for agriculture and end hunger in Africa. Wasafiri was assisting BMGF in the establishment and longer-term effectiveness of an HosG champions group that can use the Biennial Review as a basis to encourage higher performance for agriculture and end hunger in Africa. ECI-Africa was thus engaged to support two areas: i) provide light strategic advice to Wasafiri and BMGF as they navigated the context between July 2018 and March 2019 to bring about the champions group, including through the CAADP Malabo Communications and Advocacy Group (CAMCAG), chaired by the African Union Commission; and ii) to lead a strategic review of the landscape and stakeholders to provide options and recommendations for the long-term institutionalisation of a performance culture in the context of Africa’s agricultural transformation agenda. Specifically, ECI-Africa provided analysis and recommendations on critical elements needed and institutional support and governance options, including emphasis on the means for a HoSG champions group to best sustain and institutionalize the Biennial Review and Dashboard as a successful political accountability mechanism.
c) Stocktaking of Past USAID and Ongoing Activities under the East Africa Feed the Future Multi Year Strategy (2011-2015)
Funder/ Partner: DAI LLC Inc. and USAID
Geographical Coverage: Eastern and Southern Africa (EAC, COMESA and IGAD countries)
Period of implementation: August- December 2018
Description: The main objective of the stock-take exercise was to conduct an evidence-based assessment of the performance of the portfolio of previous and on-going USAID Kenya and East Africa (USAID/KEA) investments, mainly focused on the achievements of USAID/KEA Office of Economic Growth (USAID/KEA OEG): strategic objectives, implementation effectiveness, lessons learned, and new opportunities. The stock take report was intended to inform the design of the USAID/KEA OEGI Feed the Future East Africa Plan under the Global Food Security Strategy (GFSS). The assessment focused on the following key technical and programmatic dimensions: Poverty and hunger, human nutrition, resilience, trade and regional integration. The analysis was based on a set of three critical parameters that influence program performance namely: relevance, effectiveness and efficiency.
d) Regional Background Study: The State of Application, Capacities and the Enabling Environment for Agricultural Biotechnologies in the Sub-Saharan Africa Region
Funder/ Partner: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Geographical Coverage: Africa-wide
Period of implementation: May – Dec, 2017
Description : ECI-Africa, working in collaboration with the Biosciences eastern and central Africa- International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub supported FAO to conduct a regional background study containing accurate, up-to-date analysis and synthesis of the state of application, capacities and the enabling environment for agricultural biotechnologies in the Sub-Saharan Africa region, including relevant figures and tables, using all relevant literature and databases as well as all relevant connections and networks in the countries of the region. The overall goal of the study was to present an objective, evidence-based, stock-taking exercise on the current status of agricultural biotechnologies in the region.
e) Science for Agriculture Consortium (S4AC) Institutional Survey
Funder/ Partner: World Bank
Geographical Coverage: Africa countries
Period of implementation: February – March 2017
Description: ECI-Africa supported the World Bank to conduct an institutional analysis of the Science for Agriculture Consortium (S4AC). The S4AC was designed to strengthen coordination and coherence among African supra-national agricultural research and development organizations. The analysis proposed a plan for transition to the Consortium’s operational framework. The analysis revisited the motivation behind the establishment of each of the partner organizations, the key stakeholders behind each organization and their capacity to influence agriculture policy, practices, investment and innovation systems, the channels and mechanisms through which they influence decision-making, the agricultural policy environment and achievement of set targets, the monitoring and evaluation frameworks for their operations, and how they incentivize change; and lastly what should be strengthened in the context of each organization (given its strengths and challenges) and the collective institutional architecture required to support the establishment of the Consortium and provide for more effective and efficient operation. In addition, this analysis will propose a plan for transition to the Consortium’s operational framework.
