MENARID Fourth Learning Workshop

Presentation by Dr. Lamia MansourIndependent Consultant

18 June 2014, Beirut

Objective of the presentation

Present strategies to support Results Based Management of M&E systems for Integrated Natural Resources Management projects

Identify modalities to maintain the MENARID platform

Structure of the presentation

1. Key principles of Results Based Management2. Key principles of M&E systems within RBM3. Status of M&E systems of MENARID projects4. Brief description of MENARID M&E platform5. Modalities to maintain MENARID M&E

platform

Results-Based Management (RBM)

RBM is a management strategy by which all actors, contributing directly or indirectly to achieving a set of results, ensure that their processes, products and services contribute to the achievement of desired results at the level of the outputs, outcomes and higher level goals or impact.

(OECD, 2002).

Results-Based Management (RBM)

In June 2007, the first year of GEF-4, the GEF Council approved a RBM framework. The RBM framework was built on the strategic programming for GEF-4 focal area strategies and their associated indicators

Results-Based Management (RBM)

Results Chain in the context of RBMA results chain links actions and activities

implemented by projects to the targets of projects, i.e., their results. The results chain essentially tells us what stakeholders want to achieve, why they want to achieve it and how they will go about it.

The RBM results chain

Results-Based Management (RBM)

RBM life-cycle approach

Planning, monitoring and evaluation come together as RBM. RBM is defined as a broad management strategy aimed at achieving improved performance and demonstrable results. This ongoing process of doing, learning and improving. RBM is concerned with learning, risk management and accountability.

RBM life-cycle approach

Results-Based Management (RBM)

M&E within the RBM approach

A monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system must be in place that can assess how the project is performing with respect to expected outputs, outcomes and impact

M&E within the RBM : SMART indicators

Specific: Is the indicator specific enough to measure progress towards the results?

Measurable: Is the indicator a reliable and clear measure of results?

Attainable: Are the results in which the indicator seeks to chart progress realistic?

Relevant: Is the indicator relevant to the intended outputs and outcomes?

Time-bound: Are data available at reasonable cost and effort?

M&E within the RBM : An Example

Level of Result Indicator

Goal/Objective: Sustainable Land Management in Region X

Increased vegetation coverReduction in soil lossStabilization of groundwater table

Outcome: Reduction of land degradation in target Agricultural Areas

Increased productivity of agricultural land

Output: Good Agricultural Practices are adopted

Surface area of land adopting GAP (CA, IPM, drip irrigation)

Status of M&E in MENARID projects

Brief overview of MENARID projects:

10 Projects3 Agencies: IFAD, UNDP, UNEP, WB3 Countries: Algeria, Iran, Jordan,

Morocco, Tunisia, Yemen and one Regional project

Status of M&E in MENARID projects

Long Duration: August 2008 - December 2018Most MENARID projects have been initiated

between 2008 and 2010, with the exception of two projects which were initiated in 2013

The majority of the MENARID projects will be completed by 2015 for the exception of the 2 late starters which will be will continue till 2018-2019

Multitude of GEF Operational Programmes: LD, IW, BD1, BD2, ACC

Status of M&E in MENARID projects

Project planning, M&E and Reporting

1. Agencies requirements: AWP, Annual reports and quarterly reports,

RIMS (for IFAD)

2. GEF requirements: Project Implementation Report (PIR) Tracking Tool: LDTT, IWTT, METT ( BD1),

BDTT( BD2), ACCTT

Status of M&E in MENARID projects

Most projects seem to respond to the agencies requirements and are ready to share the agencies annual reports for external review

Most projects have not used the GEF PIRs and Tracking Tools as a basis for M&E and accordingly did not share PIRs and Tracking Tools for external review

In the case of IFAD/MENARID projects, special support was deployed to respond to GEF requirements through integrating Results Indicators in the PIRs and establishing the Tracking Tools (LDTT and IWTT)

Status of M&E in MENARID projects

3. Requirements of the ICARDA-MENARID project for aligned M&E functions

M&E Platform (MENARID GATEWAY)M&E Matrix developed by ICARDA in close

collaboration with the projects and include a list of indicators

On-line M&E platform based on the M&E Matrix

Training activities were conducted to support the use of the M&E platform

M&E Platform (MENARID GATEWAY)

Typology of indicators of the M&E Matrix/Platform:

Goal: The economic and social well-being of the targeted communities improved through the promotion of Integrated Natural Resources Management in the MENA region and the restoration of ecosystem functions and productivity

Component 1: Approaches to INRM investments at national and local levels- technical assistance and investments coordinated and harmonized

Component 2.1: Enabling environments for INRM-technical assistance and investments mainstreamed and promoted in climate change

Component 2.2: Enabling environments for INRM-technical assistance and investments mainstreamed and promoted in land degradation

Component 2.3: Enabling environments for INRM-technical assistance and investments mainstreamed and promoted in International Waters

Component 2.4: Enabling environments for INRM-technical assistance and investments mainstreamed and promoted in biodiversity

M&E Platform (MENARID GATEWAY)

Typology of indicators of the M&E Matrix/Platform:

Component 3.1: Investment in Land Degradation- Arid and semi-arid ecosystems integrity restored and livelihoods improved, including increased adaptation to climate change.

Component 3.2: Investment in International Waters- Arid and semi-arid ecosystems integrity restored and livelihoods improved, including increased adaptation to climate change.

Component 3.3: Investment in Biodiversity Arid and semi-arid ecosystems integrity restored and livelihoods improved, including increased adaptation to climate change.

Component 4: Knowledge Management, sharing and up-scaling of best practices fostered

M&E Platform (MENARID GATEWAY)

Functions of the M&E Platform: As a project manager

Entering project’s indicators dataConfiguration of scheduled reports for a

projectGetting a sample report before it is sent off Adding/Editing dashboard for a project

homepage

M&E Platform (MENARID GATEWAY)

Functions of the M&E Platform: As an anonymous user

Viewing/analyzing graphical and tabular data on dashboards

Filtering data in user reports where filters are present

Visiting all M&E project pages of related programme where they are shared for public use

Viewing shared M&E documents of related programme where they are shared for public use

M&E Platform (MENARID GATEWAY)

How to make best use of the MENARID M&E Platform

Selecting/Adding relevant indicators as neededEstablishing a baseline/target for the indicatorsRegular measurement of the indicatorsResponding to the Implementing Agencies

Requirements: AWP /Regular Reports/ RIMS (IFAD)

Responding to the GEF Requirements for Operational Programmes: PIR / Tracking Tools: LDTT, METT, BD2TT, ACCTT, IWTT

M&E Platform (MENARID GATEWAY)

How to make it sustainable??