Evaluation of Knowledge for Health-II Research and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Activities

The evaluation aimed to assess the contributions of K4Health's research, tools, and research and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) methods, as well as the project's research strategy and broader RM&E activities. The evaluation employed document review and in-depth interviews with key informants, using semi-structured guides. Informants were chosen purposively, with contacts provided by USAID and K4Health. Interviews were coded, and themes were identified and connected to the evaluation questions. The research, monitoring, and evaluation (RM&E) work has contributed to KM in global health, particularly in project improvement, and has influenced other USAID-funded projects. However, the team faced challenges, including a lack of research sites, difficulty in measuring KM effectiveness, and limited involvement in decisions related to proposals. A KM research team is best embedded in a project to address needs, challenges, and opportunities that arise. USAID has invested in KM over many funding cycles and now has a strong research team building the evidence base for KM effectiveness. Providing KM capacity building to other projects could expand the number of project research sites. USAID's investment in KM research should continue, as it is bearing fruit and staff is poised to make a significant contribution. K4Health should be encouraged to take the lead in setting the research agenda. The evaluation identified several key findings, including the contributions of K4Health's research, tools, and research and M&E methods, as well as the project's research strategy and broader RM&E activities. The evaluation also highlighted the challenges faced by the team, including a lack of research sites and difficulty in measuring KM effectiveness. The evaluation team expressed appreciation to the interviewees who generously gave their time to be interviewed. The Global Health Program Cycle Improvement Project (GHPro) provided a pleasant environment for the evaluators to work in while in Washington, DC. The team also acknowledged the logistical support provided by Erica Mills and Hannah Abrams, as well as the helpful contributions of Amani Selim. The evaluation was conducted to provide an independent evaluation of key components of PRH's flagship knowledge management (KM) project, Knowledge for Health (K4Health), to aid in the development of the scope of work for a follow-on project. The evaluation aimed to assess the contributions of K4Health's research, tools, and research and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) methods, as well as the project's research strategy and broader RM&E activities.