Evaluation: USAID/Office of HIV and AIDS: Project SEARCH End of Project Evaluation--Supporting Evaluation and Research to Combat HIV

The project aimed to conduct program research and evaluation, promote the use of program research findings, and build local capacity to conduct and use HIV research. The evaluation methodology involved documentation review, key informant interviews, and a review of project task orders and research activities. The evaluation found that Project SEARCH achieved its objectives, with notable successes in conducting program research and evaluation, promoting the use of program research findings, and building local capacity to conduct and use HIV research. One of the key findings of the evaluation was the effectiveness of the Indefinite Quantity Contract (IQC) mechanism in supporting research and evaluation activities. The IQC mechanism allowed for the rapid procurement of research services, which facilitated the timely completion of research projects. However, the evaluation also noted some limitations of the IQC mechanism, including the potential for duplication of effort and the need for more effective communication between project staff and implementing partners. The evaluation made several recommendations to improve the effectiveness of Project SEARCH and its successor projects. These recommendations included strengthening the project's research priorities, improving the use of research findings, and enhancing the capacity of local partners to conduct and use HIV research. The evaluation also recommended that the IQC mechanism be refined to address the limitations noted during the evaluation. The evaluation found that Project SEARCH made significant contributions to the field of HIV research and evaluation, including the development of new research methodologies and the dissemination of research findings to a wide audience. The project also built the capacity of local partners to conduct and use HIV research, which will have long-term benefits for the HIV response in the region. The evaluation's consolidated recommendations focused on three key objectives: conducting program research and evaluation, promoting the use of program research findings, and building local capacity to conduct and use HIV research. The recommendations included strengthening the project's research priorities, improving the use of research findings, and enhancing the capacity of local partners to conduct and use HIV research. The evaluation was conducted by Vivikka Molldrem and Judith Justice through the GH Tech Bridge II Project, and was submitted to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under USAID Contract No. AID-OAA-C-12-00027. The evaluation's findings and recommendations are intended to inform the development of future projects and programs aimed at supporting evaluation and research to combat HIV.