Monitoring, Evaluation, and Coordination Contract (MECC): Annual Project Report

(IBTCI) and its subcontractor, Management Systems International (MSI), to provide monitoring, evaluation, analytic, coordination, and research services to two primary USAID initiatives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The contract is divided into two components: Component 1 supports monitoring, evaluation, and coordination for the Mission-wide Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS), while Component 2 supports monitoring, evaluation, and coordination of the ACCELERE! education program. Component 1 focuses on building the institutional capacity of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (GDRC), civil society, and private institutions to achieve sustainable development outcomes. The Mission pursues two development objectives (DOs) and a transition objective (TO) to ensure that USG resources have measurable outputs, outcomes, and impacts moving the DRC along the development trajectory. The two DOs are: (1) Selected national-level institutions more effectively implementing their mandates, and (2) Lives improved through coordinated development approaches in Kasai Central, Kasai Orientale, Lualaba, and Haut Katanga. The TO is: (3) Foundation for durable peace strengthened in eastern DRC. Component 2 supports monitoring, evaluation, and coordination of ACCELERE!, which comprises four activities focused on improving access to and quality of education, governance and accountability, coordination and evidence-based learning among partners, donors, and the GDRC, and reducing the number of out-of-school children in DRC. MECC provides independent evaluation, coordination, and performance monitoring services to the program, including the design and implementation of impact and performance evaluations. MECC services include performance monitoring support to the Mission's CDCS and regional programming, coordination among stakeholders at the provincial level, and M&E capacity building for Mission staff, Implementing Partners (IPs), and other relevant stakeholders. The contract is led by four key personnel: the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team is led by the DCOP for Assessments and M&E and supported by two M&E Specialists; the Learning team, led by the Learning Specialist and supported by a Learning Officer; and the ACCELERE! Activity 3 (A!3) team, led by the A!3 Team Lead and supported by a Learning Officer. The MECC team conducted a range of activities in FY 2018, including performance monitoring support to the Mission's CDCS and regional programming, coordination among stakeholders at the provincial level, and M&E capacity building for Mission staff, IPs, and other relevant stakeholders. The team also provided independent evaluation, coordination, and performance monitoring services to the ACCELERE! program, including the design and implementation of impact and performance evaluations. The MECC team worked closely with the Mission, IPs, and other stakeholders to achieve the objectives of the contract. The team conducted a range of activities, including performance monitoring, coordination, and M&E capacity building, to support the Mission's CDCS and regional programming. The team also provided independent evaluation, coordination, and performance monitoring services to the ACCELERE! program. The MECC team made significant progress in FY 2018, including the completion of performance monitoring reports, coordination meetings with stakeholders, and M&E capacity building activities. The team also provided independent evaluation, coordination, and performance monitoring services to the ACCELERE! program, including the design and implementation of impact and performance evaluations. The MECC team will continue to work closely with the Mission, IPs, and other stakeholders to achieve the objectives of the contract in FY 2019. The team will conduct a range of activities, including performance monitoring, coordination, and M&E capacity building, to support the Mission's CDCS and regional programming. The team will also provide independent evaluation, coordination, and performance monitoring services to the ACCELERE! program, including the design and implementation of impact and performance evaluations. The MECC team is committed to supporting the Mission's CDCS and regional programming, as well as the ACCELERE! program, to achieve sustainable development outcomes in the DRC. The team will continue to work closely with stakeholders to ensure that the objectives of the contract are met and that the Mission's resources are used effectively to achieve development outcomes.