Technical Support for Design and Operationalization of Regional Platforms for Analytical Capacity Building and In-Country Reviews – Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) Region

Background

The Global Fund’s Framework for Data Use for Action and Improvement (DUFAI) emphasizes the need for enhanced focus and investment in analytical capacity and data use at country level. The framework provides a platform for analysis of available evidence from multiple sources and continued learning to drive improvements to program quality, efficiency and impact of interventions. In order to develop and sustain the capacity for data analysis and data use at country and local level, it is critical that functional and efficient partnerships are established with relevant regional and national institutions.

Systematic analysis and review of all available data at regular intervals is an essential part of the program performance evaluation and management cycle. It provides an opportunity for program managers at all levels to pause and verify that the program is running as originally planned, assess performance, identify strengths and weaknesses, gaps and priorities, and adjust the interventions accordingly. This could be linked with comprehensive or disease-specific program evaluations or thematic reviews, which are a more intensive and structured opportunity for reflection to identify key issues and concerns at policy and strategic levels, as well as at operational levels. The results of these reviews help to make informed decisions for increased effectiveness and efficiencies of program implementation. Regular assessment of successes, bottlenecks and opportunities are critical to maximize efficiency.

Countries are recommended to conduct periodic program reviews at least once in the grant cycle (once every 3 years) primarily to evaluate progress against the goals and objectives in the National Strategic Plans and to improve performance and quality, and to achieve better results. Program reviews typically use the logical framework from inputs to impact using information from the regular monitoring and evaluation systems. In addition to routine data, they use data from various other sources like surveys and special studies. The main goal of program reviews is to establish whether the program as a whole or its components are proceeding in the right direction and producing the desired results. Program reviews are owned by countries and should be consistent and timely, aligned with national strategic planning cycles.

Furthermore, in addition to supporting program reviews, the Global Fund encourages regular and frequent analysis of available routine data (at least every 6 months at national, every 3-4 months at sub- national, and once a month at site level, when feasible), with disaggregation on age, sex, and population groups, in order to improve program implementation. The goal of such regular reviews and analyses is to identify areas and opportunities for accelerating efforts and / or reprogramming, where needed.

Findings from such reviews inform both program improvement and grant management. In addition, the approach empowers and increases ownership of the data by the implementers. These periodic reviews of available data provide opportunity for stakeholder feedback, promote partnership, mutual accountability, harmonization and alignment among stakeholders. Moreover, it serves as an important input for national strategic plans. The in-country dialogue and action planning following such reviews is critical to ensure that bottlenecks are addressed. Following such reviews, broader partnership could be mobilized to support any issue on the critical path to impact where technical, financial or political support may be needed.