Monitoring and Evaluation Support Activity (MEASURE-BiH) Quarterly Report

The project is organized within five components, each focusing on a specific aspect of performance management. Component 1, Technical Assistance for the Mission's Performance Management Plan, Project M&E Plans, and Activity M&E Plans, aims to enhance the capacity of the Mission and its Implementing Partners (IPs) to conduct high-quality performance management. This goal will be achieved by strengthening and improving Mission and IP systems, procedures, staff skills, and research experience. The MEASURE-BiH team has provided consultative services to three USAID/BiH activities, including the Justice Support Project, Fiscal Sector Reform, and Energy Investment Act. Component 2, Design and Conduct Evaluations, Surveys, Studies, and Sector Assessments, focuses on conducting evaluations, surveys, studies, and sector assessments to provide USAID/BiH with technical, analytic, advisory, training, monitoring, evaluation, and related support services. The MEASURE-BiH team has initiated the FARMA evaluation and conducted an expanded SWOT analysis for the final selection of the Center of Excellence (CoE). Component 3, Geographic Information System (GIS) Mapping, involves the development of a GIS mapping system to support the Mission's performance management activities. The MEASURE-BiH team has made significant strides toward the development of the Performance Information Management Systems (PIMS) and the GIS. Component 4, Provide M&E Training and Technical Assistance, aims to provide M&E training and technical assistance to USAID/BiH staff and Implementing Partners. The MEASURE-BiH team has developed a Training Needs Assessment for USAID and IP staff and conducted a review of the Mission's Performance Management Plan (PMP) and indicators. Component 5, Strengthen Local M&E Capacity and Develop a 'Center of Excellence (CoE)', focuses on building social science research and program evaluation capacity in BiH. The MEASURE-BiH team has conducted an expanded SWOT analysis for the final selection of the CoE and developed the scope-of-work for the Judicial Effectiveness Index (JEI). The MEASURE-BiH project has made significant progress during the quarter, with the launch team arriving in-country within 10 days of contract award and successfully leasing office space, identifying qualified candidates, and initiating staff employment. The project has also expanded through the recruitment of additional staff and consultants, including a Capacity Building Specialist and Monitoring and Evaluation Specialists in Economic Growth and Democracy and Governance. The project's overall goal is to provide USAID/BiH with technical, analytic, advisory, training, monitoring, evaluation, and related support services to assist the Mission in effectively monitoring, evaluating, and relaying information about interventions. The MEASURE-BiH project is positioned to move quickly ahead on key deliverables during the Second Quarter, with a focus on building social science research and program evaluation capacity in BiH and developing a culture of data-driven, results-oriented, evidence-based decision-making.