Revisit the Technical The Evaluator’s engagement DSWD Assistance Facility included the provision of Technical The IPR identified a number design framework and assistance and inputs to Assistance of issues on the current TAF accompanying plans TAU on improving the TAF Unit to work framework and operations with the objective of design framework based on with the arrangement which strengthening the the findings of the IPR. Evaluator and contributed to the less than Technical Assistance DFAT Team to satisfactory efficiency and Facility project participate in M&E. management. key discussions on Revisiting the design the design framework and accompanying M&E plan and framework, M&E and management arrangement aims to address the issues program and improve the efficiency of management. the TAF. the possibility of Agree that the RGMO should DFAT to continue to monitor DSWD TAU to extending technical have a results-based updates on the progress of provide assistance to determine framework and operational the RGMO. updates to the organizational plan. However, future plans DFAT on preparedness of the and activities for the RGMO progress of the DSWD Resource should be initiated by DSWD RGMO. Generation and since the RGMO is an Mobilisation Office organic unit of the (RGMO) and based on Department. the assessment results, formulate the RGMO results-based framework and operational plan. Formulate a training Agree that DSWD OBSU DFAT to monitor progress of DSWD TAU to intervention plan for staff should have a learning DSWD in this area. provide OBSU staff and development plan. updates to However, this should be DFAT. initiated by the respective OBSUs and DSWD, and not through the Technical Assistance Facility. Revisit the current Agree. Efficiency of the TAF To improve efficiency on DFAT arrangement and must be improved and budget utilisation, Manila Education determine the most revisiting fund disbursement Post will utilise a Team 2 practical and feasible arrangement is necessary. download of funds option about However, this need not be based on a jointly agreed governance done through a separate work plan. arrangement of DFAT’s study as the IPR commitment funds of recommends. $5million for technical assistance on social protection.
Revisit the Technical Assistance Facility design framework and accompanying plans with the objective of strengthening the Technical Assistance Facility project management. The IPR identified a number of issues on the current TAF framework and operations arrangement which contributed to the less than satisfactory efficiency and M&E. Revisiting the design framework and accompanying M&E plan and management arrangement aims to address the issues and improve the efficiency of the TAF. The Evaluator’s engagement included the provision of assistance and inputs to TAU on improving the TAF design framework based on the findings of the IPR. DSWD Technical Assistance Unit to work with the Evaluator and DFAT Team to participate in key discussions on the design framework, M&E and program management. the possibility of extending technical assistance to determine the organizational preparedness of the DSWD Resource Generation and Mobilisation Office (RGMO) and based on the assessment results, formulate the RGMO results-based framework and operational plan. Agree that the RGMO should have a results-based framework and operational plan. However, future plans and activities for the RGMO should be initiated by DSWD since the RGMO is an organic unit of the Department. DFAT to continue to monitor updates on the progress of the RGMO. DSWD TAU to provide updates to DFAT on progress of the RGMO. Formulate a training intervention plan for OBSU staff Agree that DSWD OBSU staff should have a learning and development plan. However, this should be initiated by the respective OBSUs and DSWD, and not through the Technical Assistance Facility. DFAT to monitor progress of DSWD in this area. DSWD TAU to provide updates to DFAT. Revisit the current arrangement and determine the most practical and feasible option about governance arrangement of DFAT’s commitment funds of $5million for technical assistance on social protection. Agree. Efficiency of the TAF must be improved and revisiting fund disbursement arrangement is necessary. However, this need not be done through a separate study as the IPR recommends. To improve efficiency on budget utilisation, Manila Post will utilise a download of funds based on a jointly agreed work plan. DFAT Education Team 2
ipr-technical-assistance-facility-for-social-protection-reforms-mgt-response.docx