USAID Health Evaluation and Applied Research Development (HEARD) Project Semi-Annual Technical Report

The project is implemented by University Research Co., LLC, in collaboration with various sub-recipient organizations. The project's primary objective is to advance implementation science learning and advocacy, with a focus on maternal, neonatal, and child health (MNCH) issues. The project's activities are divided into four main areas: advancing implementation science learning and advocacy, inclusive development, advancing and sustaining priority MNCH issues, and IS evaluation development and implementation. In the area of inclusive development, the project focuses on mental health and psychosocial support, child protection, and assistive technologies. The project also works to advance and sustain priority MNCH issues, including postpartum hemorrhage care, respectful woman-centered care, urban health, and leveraging social accountability for better health outcomes. The project's implementation science approach emphasizes the importance of collaboration, learning, and adapting (CLA) to address the complex health challenges faced by developing countries. The project's monitoring and evaluation framework is designed to track progress and identify areas for improvement. The project's outputs are monitored regularly, and the project team works to ensure that the project's activities are aligned with the project's goals and objectives. The project's geographic focus is on low- and middle-income countries, with a particular emphasis on Africa. The project's timeframes are defined by the semi-annual reporting periods, with the current report covering the period from April 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021. The project's recommendations for the next reporting period include continued support for implementation science learning and advocacy, as well as further development of the project's IS evaluation framework. The project's implementation science approach is grounded in the principles of collaboration, learning, and adapting. The project's team works closely with stakeholders at the national and local levels to identify and address the complex health challenges faced by developing countries. The project's focus on inclusive development and social accountability is designed to ensure that the project's activities are responsive to the needs of the target populations. The project's monitoring and evaluation framework is designed to track progress and identify areas for improvement. The project's outputs are monitored regularly, and the project team works to ensure that the project's activities are aligned with the project's goals and objectives. The project's recommendations for the next reporting period include continued support for implementation science learning and advocacy, as well as further development of the project's IS evaluation framework.