Monitoring, Evaluation, and Coordination Contract (MECC): Annual Project Report FY2019

(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! (A!) 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 A!, 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. As the implementer for Activity 3, 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. To fulfill its task order mandate, MECC is comprised of three technical teams, each led by one of MECC's four key personnel: the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team, the Learning team, and the ACCELERE! Activity 3 team. The M&E team is led by the DCOP for Assessments and M&E and supported by two M&E Specialists. The Learning team is led by the Learning Specialist and supported by a Learning Officer. The ACCELERE! Activity 3 team is led by the Co-DCOP/Education Specialist and supported by two M&E Specialists. The technical teams are supported by a cross-cutting Senior Data Analyst and a Senior M&E Specialist. IR1: Access to relevant and reliable high-quality data and information was strengthened through the implementation of the MECC. The team conducted data quality assessments, developed data management plans, and provided training to Mission staff and IPs on data collection and analysis. The team also supported the development of the Mission's Performance Management Plan (PMP) and the A! results framework. IR 2: Adaptive management strategies and mechanisms were identified and supported through the implementation of the MECC. The team conducted key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and surveys to gather information on the needs and challenges of the Mission and IPs. The team also developed a theory of change and a logical framework for the A! program. IR 3: The M&E resource base in the DRC was strengthened through the implementation of the MECC. The team provided training to Mission staff and IPs on M&E, developed a monitoring and evaluation plan, and supported the development of a performance management plan. The team also conducted a rapid education risk analysis and a participatory institutional capacity assessment and learning index. Deliverables for the MECC include performance monitoring reports, M&E plans, and training reports. The team also developed a monitoring and evaluation working group and a program management working group to support the Mission's CDCS and regional programming. Personnel updates for the MECC include the appointment of new team members and the departure of existing team members. The team also conducted a performance evaluation of the MECC personnel. MECC learning includes the development of a theory of change and a logical framework for the A! program, the implementation of a participatory institutional capacity assessment and learning index, and the development of a monitoring and evaluation plan. Activities planned for project year 5 include the continuation of the MECC services, the development of a new M&E plan, and the implementation of a new performance management plan. The team also plans to conduct a mid-term evaluation of the A! program and a final evaluation of the MECC. Annexes to the MECC annual project report include progress against the FY 2019 workplan, MECC performance monitoring data, the ACCELERE! MERWG annual report, the ACCELERE! internship program annual report, event reports, and training reports.