MODULE 10. ORGANIZING THE MONITORING AND EVALUATION FUNCTION

Objective

This module is dedicated to the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) function of the mechanism designed to deliver the social protection floor. This function is particularly important while designing such a mechanism since it will be used to monitor the actual implementation of the SPFs in the country, and yet the relevance of the mechanism.
The need for good governance is an essential element to establish an effective social protection system. Good governance notably translates into effective monitoring and evaluation of the social protection delivery system.

Under ILO Convention 102 (article 71, paragraph 3 and article 72, paragraph 2), the State has the general responsibility to ensure the sound administration and delivery of social protection benefits which includes such issues as the timely and accurate payment of benefits as well as objective and consistent decision making by department officials in the determination of entitlement to benefits.

 

Key questions

1. What does monitoring and evaluation means?
2. What are the different components of the M&E function in the case of the SWS?
3. How odes it impact the design of the mechanism?
4. What are the key principles of the M&E function?
 

Take away message

Depending on the country’s context, the final goal of social protection policy can be the eradication of poverty, social inclusion, or the development of human capital in a view to foster economic growth. In any case, thanks to the panoramic vision of the social protection system developed by the SWS, its M&E function can cover three levels:

• The monitoring and evaluation of social protection programmes individually considered;
• The monitoring and evaluation of the National Social Protection Strategy or similar policy document defining the strategic goal of one country; and
• The monitoring and evaluation of the mechanism itself.

The description of the monitoring and evaluation function should be part of the design phase since it might have consequent impacts on its functions and organisation:

• The range of the monitoring and evaluation activities completed by the SWS should be defined to complement M&E activities conducted by the different service providers
• The different reports and KPIs to be produced by the mechanism might have an impact on the data required by the mechanism to complete this function and hence might lead to additional linkages with existing organisations (such as the national statistical office if any)
• The production of reports and KPIs is worthless in case there is no committee installed to read and take decisions upon the reported figures

There are two key principles for the design of an efficient and effective monitoring system to be embedded in a national mechanism to deliver the SPF:

• The principle of subsidiarity - matters ought to be handled by the smallest, lowest or least centralized competent authority ; and
• The Deming cycle - Plan, Do, Check, Act.

Master Module 10

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