Bangladesh : Enhancing the Institutional Capacity of the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division, Ministry of Planning

Public sector management / Public administration

The main TA objective of capacity enhancement substantially over-achieved compared to DMF target. Training modules and resource materials on Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation (RBME), Technical/Performance Audit (T/PA), and Logical Framework (LF) were developed; and 24 officials trained as trainers. Total 1,068 trainee-days were achieved in the country during 2016, 2017 and 2018; and total 281 trainee-days were achieved in study tour/training in esteemed institutions abroad. Due to commencement and implementation delays, activities required additional time for completion.

The interventions will contribute to enable IMED to respond to evolving needs for M&E capacity building through the resource persons and materials developed under the TA.

IMED's Strategic Plan, 2008- 2013 implemented

Logical framework for project design improved

Training programs on technical audits implemented

Information system improved

RBME integrated in the Seventh Five Year Plan, FY2016- FY2020

The TA was designed to enhance IMED's capacity for results-based monitoring of projects and programs through on-the-job training, and knowledge transfer by experts with international and national qualifications. Three individual consultants, two international and one national, were engaged in partial lump-sum contracts with payment of remuneration based on delivered outputs. They provided about 200 workdays of international and 123 workdays of national inputs in terms of approximate workdays against activities/deliverables. The national MIS Expert with main responsibility of 4th output (Information system improved), was not recruited as per advice of IMED to avoid duplication or interference with similar ongoing activities which IMED is undertaking in other projects. Three TA consultants performed their studies and reviews under ADB and IMED's guidance, developed resource materials for training programs, and conducted training sessions. The logical framework expert under this TA project studied four projects under education and transport sectors and provided recommendation for improvement of logical framework for projects under these sectors.

Development of Capacity Enhancement Resources and Delivery of Relevant Activities:

a) 3-day training module on Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation (RBME), 3-day training module on Technical/Performance Audit (T/PA), and 2-day training module on Logical Framework (LF) were developed by the respective international and national experts. In addition, guidance on RBME, T/PA and LF for practitioners were prepared for relevant officials concerned with project design, monitoring and implementation.

b) Using developed resource materials, relevant officials from IMED, Planning Commission/Division (PC/PD), Economic Relations Division (ERD), agencies and ministries of agriculture, education, industries and transport sectors were trained by project consultants (specialists) as facilitators. The Technical Audit Specialist (international consultant) conducted 4-day comprehensive Training of Trainers (TOT) for 24 officials selected based on merit/performance in regular training events on RBME, T/PA and LF. Subsequently, 10 potential trainers capable of conducting future training/capacity building programs on RBME, T/PA and LF were recommended through classroom evaluation.

c) Several of newly trained trainers conducted in-house training for one batch on RBME (2-days) in April 2017 and two batches on RBME and TA/LF (each 2-days) in July and October 2018 respectively. These in-house trainings were open for all IMED officials and achieved total 230 trainee-days.

d) Grand total eleven batches of fundamental training programs (including 3 mentioned in 'c' above) for capacity building of IMED and other relevant officials were conducted on RMBE, T/PA and LF achieving total 1,068 trainee-days in the country during 2016, 2017 and 2018.

In these events, total 191 officials of IMED and relevant agencies/ministries were trained on RBME, 177 officials trained on logical framework, and 162 officials trained on technical audit, which includes 24 officials trained as trainers.

e) Two batches of study tours on Technical/Performance Audit were completed at the National Audit Academy (AAN) of Malaysia (25 officials for 5 days). Six (6) officials of IMED successfully completed training on Monitoring Evaluation and Learning at MDF Training and Consultancy in the Netherlands in May 2018 (10 days). Eight (8) officials from IMED, RHD and PC successfully completed the course on "Monitoring and Evaluation of Development Projects and Programmes" at the International Training Centre at Turin, Italy in September 2018 (12 days).

In these study tour/training events outside the country, total 281 trainee-days were achieved by 39 trainees.

Originally, the TA was expected to be implemented within 30 November 2016. However, IMED commenced project activities after approval of the technical assistance project proposal (TPP) by the government in December 2015. Later, it was extended up to 31 October 2018. By the time IMED commenced project activities, intended outputs (i), (iv) and (v) became less relevant under the circumstances: (a) Strategic plan became outdated for capacity enhancement of IMED officials, who were mostly from planning cadre of the government services. In addition, government planned to merge the planning cadre officials with administrative cadre officials for which details of reorganization were not available. (b) IMED taken up MIS development under several programs with funding from various development partners. (c) The 7th-FYP already finalized and approved by the government on 20 October 2015.

TA physical completion was on 31 October 2018 and financial closing was on 31 January 2019.