regarding the contract extension period. The review should also consider how relevant the program is to the current Australian aid program in Cambodia. The review will therefore make recommendations to DFAT regarding: Extending the contract with Coffey from the current years for a further two years (five years in total), including any recommended changes to program focus. Options for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of program implementation. Evaluation questions and approaches There are six agreed key evaluation questions. How relevant is the current program’s focus to the Australian aid program and Cambodian priorities? (Relevance) How effectively is the program being implemented to meet the long-term program objectives? (Effectiveness) How efficiently are key program activities and processes being implemented? (Efficiency) How effectively have equity strategies relating to gender and social inclusiveness (participation of applicants with disability and provincial applicants) been implemented? (Equity) How well is the monitoring and evaluation framework designed and is it effectively operationalised to assess the outputs and outcomes of the program? (M&E) Based on the above findings, where (in the scholarship cycle) could implementation activities and program focus be strengthened to better support program objectives? (Recommendations) The review is formative in nature and will primarily on the program’s implementation processes. Data has been collected using mixed methods. The review collected quantitative and qualitative data from primary and secondary sources. Primary data were obtained through interviewing program stakeholders. Secondary data was obtained through reviewing documentation. The review has validated the information by comparing stakeholder opinions and responses. Initial findings Overall the program is performing well. Implementation arrangements are sound and contributing to the delivery of program objectives. There are opportunities to strengthen approaches and improve implementation however these are minor in the delivery of the program as a whole. Recommendation 1: Revise and extend the contract with Coffey for the remaining two years Relevance The Australia Awards Scholarship program is highly relevant with the Australian Government’s priorities in Cambodia and in line with DFAT’s global approaches to Australia Awards. Key Issues: AAS aligns with the aid program priority areas by targeting applications from people within defined fields. This approach responds annually to changes in priorities, however can create confusion amongst potential applicants and inconsistencies in reporting contribution to development at individual, sector or organisational level.
regarding the contract extension period. The review should also consider how relevant the program is to the current Australian aid program in Cambodia. The review will therefore make recommendations to DFAT regarding: Extending the contract with Coffey from the current years for a further two years (five years in total), including any recommended changes to program focus. Options for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of program implementation. Evaluation questions and approaches There are six agreed key evaluation questions. How relevant is the current program’s focus to the Australian aid program and Cambodian priorities? (Relevance) How effectively is the program being implemented to meet the long-term program objectives? (Effectiveness) How efficiently are key program activities and processes being implemented? (Efficiency) How effectively have equity strategies relating to gender and social inclusiveness (participation of applicants with disability and provincial applicants) been implemented? (Equity) How well is the monitoring and evaluation framework designed and is it effectively operationalised to assess the outputs and outcomes of the program? (M&E) Based on the above findings, where (in the scholarship cycle) could implementation activities and program focus be strengthened to better support program objectives? (Recommendations) The review is formative in nature and will primarily on the program’s implementation processes. Data has been collected using mixed methods. The review collected quantitative and qualitative data from primary and secondary sources. Primary data were obtained through interviewing program stakeholders. Secondary data was obtained through reviewing documentation. The review has validated the information by comparing stakeholder opinions and responses. Initial findings Overall the program is performing well. Implementation arrangements are sound and contributing to the delivery of program objectives. There are opportunities to strengthen approaches and improve implementation however these are minor in the delivery of the program as a whole. Recommendation 1: Revise and extend the contract with Coffey for the remaining two years Relevance The Australia Awards Scholarship program is highly relevant with the Australian Government’s priorities in Cambodia and in line with DFAT’s global approaches to Australia Awards. Key Issues: AAS aligns with the aid program priority areas by targeting applications from people within defined fields. This approach responds annually to changes in priorities, however can create confusion amongst potential applicants and inconsistencies in reporting contribution to development at individual, sector or organisational level.
cambodia-aus-awards-scholarships-mtr-2015.docx