Thematic evaluation of beneficiary verification and targeting approaches in Yemen : evaluation report

The evaluation uses an explanatory case study approach to answer four evaluation questions: 1) What are the current policies and practices for beneficiary targeting; How compliant are IPs with their stated policies; 2) What are the current policies and practices for beneficiary verification; How compliant are IPs with their stated policies; 3) How are IPs handling complaints about targeting; and 4) What are the most successful and least successful practices for beneficiary targeting, verification and associated complaint mechanisms in Yemen? A two-person evaluation team conducted the evaluation remotely, interviewing 71 IP and USAID staff and experts, using data from four purposefully sampled community survey, and reviewing IP program and internal documents. Partners used a range of operational procedures, guidance adapted from home office, and internal documents to guide activities. Whereas CFM procedures are well documented across partners, procedures for beneficiary verification are poorly documented. Partners generally adhere to the documentation presented to the team. Variation in practices among IPs centers mostly on the use of community committees to nominate and register beneficiaries. While the evaluation team cannot correlate this to reaching the most vulnerable, the team concludes that this had the downstream effect on partners conducting verification of all registered households. In addition to strong and moderate practices among partners, the report provides recommendations for strengthening policies and procedures.