Human resources development : Djibouti, 603-0006, project evaluation

Special evaluation covers the period 8/80-4/84 and is based on document review and interviews with Government of Djibouti (GROD), CFPA, USAID/D, and International Human Assistance Program (IHAP) personnel. Although most activities are close to target, the project, which was designed on the basis of some faulty assumptions about the Djiboutian job market, is not likely to reduce unemployment. Moreover, planned assistance to the Ministry of Labor (MOL) having been deleted at the GROD's request, the project has been unable to help in formulating a national manpower policy. A training center for CFPA's Section Commerciale (SC) was constructed on schedule and under cost, and 7 Djiboutians were trained overseas (in accounting, secretarial skills, and language arts) and are now performing successfully as teachers at the SC. They have redesigned curricula and materials to bring them within the grasp of SC students, who are adolescents of a quite low academic level. Over 100 students are enrolled, but only 9 have graduated thus far. Given Djibouti's high unemployment rate and the level of competition from graduates of other programs, the students' job prospects are not good. By contrast, CFPA's training program for employed adults has had good success. Little has been done to improve CFPA administration; while the IHAP chief of party has been an excellent exemplar of institutional management, there is no mechanism for transfering such skills. A CFPA Orientation and Placement Office was established in 10/83, but does not yet offer a full range of services. Despite this mixed record, the project has focused GROD attention on the need for a coordinated manpower training effort and has established IHAP's credibility in this area. A second phase, to include assistance to the MOL, is recommended. Lessons learned are: more attention needs to be given to verification of basic assumptions; project activities must be, not only intrinsically worthwhile, but capable of producing effects beyond themselves; and project objectives may be incompatible - it is not possible to transform semiliterate youths into skilled secretaries and bookkeepers competitive on the job market.