Strengthening the RSP M&E Systems and Capacities

In 2006 RSPN engaged the services of Dr Mahmood Hasan Khan, an experienced economist who has intermittently worked with the RSPs since the 1980s, to undertake a needs assessment of the RSPs’ M&E systems and capacities in consultation with their managements and offices. He carried out extensive consultations with the RSP M&E professionals and with their top managements, resulting in an M&E Manual and Plan of Action for capacity building of the RSPs. The M&E Manual was used to train a group of RSPN and RSP M&E Professionals and was printed and widely shared. The Consultant also assisted RSPN in assessing the existing M&E capacity gaps of RSPN and RSPs, and prepared a strategy for overcoming those gaps and systemic constraints.

As part of the strategy, an M&E Core Group was formed, comprising six persons, three MER staff from RSPN and the M&E Managers of NRSP, PRSP and SRSP. In 2008 the group received a 3-week long advanced training in Monitoring and Evaluation at the University of East Anglia, UK. On their return the Core Group developed a training strategy for the RSPs’ M&E staff, and delivered it in four modules to a group of 20 RSP M&E staff. The training evaluations have shown positive changes in the participants’ grasp of M&E skills and have resulted in their improved performance. Some of the participants have used the skills to conduct case studies and assessments of RSP programmes, thereby contributing to organisational learning, while others have used the new skills to improve documentation, monitoring and reporting in their organisations.

In June 2009, four members of the M&E Core Group attended a week long training workshops at the World Bank’s International Programme for Development Evaluation Training course at Carleton University, Canada. This is expected to equip the participants to undertake analysis and assessment of various RSPN and RSP programmes and thereby inform their managements on improved programme design and implementation.

In 2008, the RSPN MER Section has also assisted the younger RSPs, especially BRSP and SRSO, by reviewing their M&E systems and capacities, and in developing and implementing action plans, through technical guidance, training and mentoring as and when needed.