Evaluation : legal professional development and anti-corruption activity midterm performance evaluation

A. Pierre Judicial Institute (Judicial Institute), the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law (Law School), the Liberia Legal Information Institute (LiberLII), the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA), and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC). The Liberia Strategic Analysis (LSA) evaluation team used a mixed-methods approach to address five evaluation questions (EQs) assessing (1) the original design and redesign; (2) achievement since redesign; (3) investment compared to perceived benefit; (4) government commitment and capacity; and (5) degree of women’s participation. Evaluation methods included a desk review of relevant documents, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) data, key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), and short interviews with stakeholders in Monrovia, Kakata, and Gbarnga. The evaluation found that inaccurate assumptions and planning led to flaws in the original design, which were influenced by the lack of co-design with GOL partners. The management structure and approach was risky and lacked consistent and reliable oversight. The redesign was appropriate in fixing the constraints by integrating components better, promoting cross-pollination, and shifting toward a multiagency approach to combating corruption. Since the redesign, LPAC experienced uneven progress working with the legal and regulatory institutions but achieved the greatest results and value with the LNBA and LACC. Participation of women grew by piloting legal aid clinics, increasing Public Service Scholarships and focusing on women’s participation in judicial trainings.