1. GEF Expanded Constituency Workshop
M&E in the GEF
Juan Portillo
Operations Evaluation Officer
Expanded Constituency Workshop
Monrovia, Liberia - July 2011

2. GEF Expanded Constituency Workshop
Overview
Results-based management (RBM), and Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in GEF-5
M&E policy for GEF-5
M&E Minimum Requirements
Involvement of focal points
Evaluation planning for GEF-5

3. GEF Expanded Constituency Workshop
RBM, Monitoring & Evaluation
Result based management - Setting goals and objectives, Monitoring, learning and decision making
Evaluation is a “reality check” on RBM
RBM, especially monitoring, tell whether the organization is “on track”
Evaluation could tell whether the organization is “on the right track”

4. GEF Expanded Constituency Workshop
M&E in the GEF
Two overarching objectives:
Promote accountability for the achievement of GEF objectives through the assessment of results, effectiveness, processes, and performance of the partners involved in GEF activities
Promote learning, feedback, and knowledge sharing on results and lessons learned among the GEF and its partners as a basis for decision making on policies, strategies, program management, programs, and projects; and to improve knowledge and performance

5. New M&E Policy (Nov 2010): What’s New?
GEF Expanded Constituency Workshop
New M&E Policy (Nov 2010): What’s New?
Reference to GEF Results-based Management (RBM)
Strengthened knowledge sharing and learning
Clarification of roles and responsibilities
Stronger role for GEF Operational Focal Points in M&E
Inclusion of programs and jointly implemented projects
Baseline data for M&E to be established by CEO endorsement
New Minimum Requirement on engagement of GEF Operational Focal Points in project and program M&E activities

6. RBM Framework for the GEF
GEF Expanded Constituency Workshop
RBM Framework for the GEF
Operating Level
(bottom-up)
Institutional Level
(top-down)
Project Objectives
Focal Area
Goal
GEF Strategic Goals
Objectives
GEB
Impacts
Outcomes
Outputs

7. RBM and Tracking Results
GEF Expanded Constituency Workshop
RBM and Tracking Results
Project and Program Design
Implementation
Evaluation
LFA/Results framework
M&E Plan
Management, monitoring, and learning
Monitoring of progress; midpoint course correction as needed
Terminal Evaluations
Lessons Learned
Lessons learned; Good practices
Adapted from the World Bank’s Results Focus in Country Assistance Strategies, July 2005, p. 13

8. GEF Expanded Constituency Workshop
Knowledge Sharing
M&E contributes to knowledge building and organizational improvement:
Findings and lessons should be accessible to target audiences in a user-friendly way
Evaluation reports should be subject to a dynamic dissemination strategy
Knowledge sharing enables partners to capitalize on lessons learned from experiences
Purpose of KM in the GEF:
Promotion of a culture of learning
Application of lessons learned
Feedback to new activities

9. M&E Reporting in the GEF
GEF Expanded Constituency Workshop
M&E Reporting in the GEF

10. M&E Levels and Responsible Agencies
GEF Expanded Constituency Workshop
M&E Levels and Responsible Agencies

11. Follow up to Evaluations
GEF Expanded Constituency Workshop
Follow up to Evaluations
A management response is required for all evaluations and performance reports presented to the GEF Council by the GEF EO
GEF Council takes into account both the evaluation and the management response when taking a decision
GEF EO reports on implementation of decisions annually (Management Action Record)
In the case of Country Portfolio Evaluations countries have the opportunity to provide their perspective to Council as well

12. M&E: Minimum Requirement 1
Design of M&E Plans
Concrete and fully budgeted M&E plan by CEO endorsement for FSP and CEO approval for MSP. Project logical frameworks should align with GEF focal area results frameworks. M&E Plan should include:
SMART indicators
Baseline data for M&E by CEO endorsement
Mid Term Reviews (where required or foreseen) and Terminal Evaluations included in plan
Organizational set up and budget for M&E

13. M&E: Minimum Requirement 2
Implementation of M&E Plans
Project/program monitoring and supervision will include execution of the M&E plan:
Use of SMART indicators for process and implementation
Use of SMART indicators for results
Baseline for the project is fully established and data are compiled to review progress
Organizational set up for M&E is operational and its budget is spent as planned

14. M&E: Minimum Requirement 3
Project/Program Evaluations:
All full sized projects and programs will be evaluated at the end of implementation
Evaluations should:
Be independent of project management or reviewed by GEF Agency evaluation unit
Apply evaluation norms and standards of the GEF Agency
Assess, as a minimum, outputs and outcomes, likelihood of sustainability, compliance with Minimum Requirements 1 & 2
Contain basic project data and lessons on the evaluation itself (including TORs)
Should be sent to GEF EO within 12 months of completion of project/program
Guidelines for evaluating MSPs/EAs will be developed

15. M&E: New Minimum Requirement 4
Engagement of Operational Focal Points
M&E plans should include how OFPs will be engaged
OFPs to be informed on M&E activities, including Mid Term Reviews and Terminal Evaluations, receiving drafts for comments and final reports
OFPs invited to contribute to the management response (where applicable)
GEF Agencies keep track of the application of this requirement in their GEF financed projects and programs

16. Role of GEF Focal Points in M&E
Keep track of GEF support at the national level
Keep stakeholders informed and consulted in plans, implementation and results of GEF activities in the country
Disseminate M&E information, promoting use of evaluation recommendations and lessons learned
Assist the Evaluation Office, as the first point of entry into a country:
identify major relevant stakeholders
coordinate meetings
assist with agendas
coordinate country responses to these evaluations

17. Support to GEF focal points
GEF-5 cross-cutting capacity development strategy:
Fifth component: enhancing capacities to monitor and evaluate environmental impacts and trends. This should be identified as a priority in the NCSA capacity development action plan
The capacity development plan should be formulated as a medium size project, or it should be integrated into a broader proposal that would be formulated as MSP or FSP – if MSP it should have 1:1 cofunding
Development of regional partnerships could be considered
Funding from $44m set-aside for capacity development

18. GEF Expanded Constituency Workshop
GEF EO vision for GEF-5
Consolidation and strengthening of the four streams of evaluative evidence:
Country Portfolio Evaluations: up to 15 during GEF-5
Impact Evaluations: International Waters, Climate Change and other focal areas
Performance Evaluations: APR continued and strengthened as well as independent process reviews
Thematic Evaluations: focal area strategies and adaptation

19. GEF Expanded Constituency Workshop
OPS5 will include:
Verification and ratings of outcome and progress toward impact
Coverage of the reform process: GEF project cycle and modalities, direct access, STAR, paragraph 28
Increased attention to the catalytic role of the GEF
Trends in ownership and country drivenness
Trends in global environmental problems and relevance of the GEF to the conventions
More in-depth look at the focal area strategies, including sustainable forestry management
Better understanding of the longer term impact of the GEF

20. Evaluation of National Capacity Self-Assessments
Support to NCSAs was one of the approaches to implement the GEF capacity development strategy and UN conventions guidance to GEF
NCSA aimed to identify country level priorities and needs for capacity development to address global environmental issues, holistic and long-term approach, country driven and led
Evaluation is ongoing; next week the consultant will be in Dakar and Banjul; the report expected for the November 2011 GEF Council

21. Country Portfolio Evaluations
Country Portfolio Evaluations have been conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa in
In this GEF constituency: Benin (report n° 41)
Next CPEs in Sub-Saharan Africa: 4 foreseen in 2013, in time for inclusion in OPS5
Country selection is not finalized yet; one country will be chosen in this region. Candidates include:
- Burkina Faso - Guinea Bissau
- Mali - Mauritania
- Senegal

22. Discussion
Q&A on the new GEF M&E Policy
Any other Q&A
Thank you!