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Outcomes-based Performance Evaluation in the South African Public Sector
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| Presenter(s):
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| Fanie Cloete, University of Johannesburg, fcloete@uj.ac.za
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| Babette Rabie, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, babette.rabie@spl.sun.ac.za
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| Abstract:
The South African government has adopted an ambitious government-wide monitoring and evaluation system (GWM&ES) headed by a newly established Ministry for Monitoring and Evaluation in the Presidency since 2009. It is supposed to systematically monitor and evaluate the outcomes of government programme performance at all governmental levels.
However, South Africa has serious backlogs in infrastructure and services. This paper deals with one such weakness: the absence of policy outcome indicators to measure progress towards a better life for all. The paper assesses the Outcome Service Agreements for basic education, enhanced employment and sustainable human settlements that have been concluded between the President and his Ministers. It concludes that the move from an output to an outcome evaluation focus is still largely conceptual and rhetorical. Appropriate measurable statements (outcomes) and measuring instruments (indicators) in terms of the good practices of outcome-driven evaluation and indicator development are not yet in place.
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Evaluating the Local Government Anti-Corruption Initiative: A South African Experience
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| Presenter(s):
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| Peter Vaz, Research Triangle Institute, pvaz@rti.org
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| Mary Cole, Development-Evaluation.com, mw.mjcole@mweb.co.za
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| Moses Rangata, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, mosesr@cogta.gov.za
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| Abstract:
The goal of the Local Government Anti Corruption Initiative (LGACI) under the USAID-funded Local Governance Support Program (LGSP) in South Africa was for municipalities to function with increased transparency and accountability. The evaluation of the LGACI asked whether awareness of corruption had been created and risks assessed; if anti-corruption strategies were developed, adopted and implemented; and if institutional capacity and competence for anti-corruption in municipalities had increased.
The evaluation applied a conventional Logframe methodology with innovative corruption prevention indicators and evidence. It established that the LGACI had been influential by stimulating interest, awareness, knowledge, action, and municipal pride in anti-corruption. Democracy and good governance, particularly anti-corruption, is a new challenge for evaluators and evaluation. The sharing of experiences is needed. It is too early to cite its use in evidence-based policy but there are related developments taking place in South Africa now.
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Evidence-based Policymaking: Lessons from 13 years of Evaluating Oportunities in Mexico
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| Presenter(s):
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| Adolfo Martinez-Valle, Coordinacion Nacional Programa Oportunidades, adolfomartinezvalle@gmail.com
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| Rogelio Grados, Coordinacion Nacional Programa Oportunidades, rogelio.grados@oportunidades.gob.mx
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| Ana Nuaez, Coordinacion Nacional Programa Oportunidades, ana.nunez@oportunidades.gob.mx
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| Abstract:
Objective: The purpose is to examine why evaluation has been successful for Oportunidades, a thirteen-year old conditional cash transfer program in Mexico that currently covers more than 6 million poor families.
Methods: A systematic review is conducted of its most important evaluations to analyze its effects on both impact and process from 1997-2010.
Results: Three key factors explain why evaluation has been successful for Oportunidades. First, evaluation findings have proven the impact of the program on its target population. Also, it has produced timely results to improve the design and implementation of the program. Finally, but not less important, there has been a permanent dialogue between policymakers, international development banks, staff, and evaluators to meet all stakeholders' interests.
Conclusions: Important lessons are drawn for other countries on how and why evaluations can have an important contribution to the policymaking process of a large scale capacity development program such as Oportunidades.
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