Providing monitoring, evaluation and learning advisory support to the Australian High Commission

The project seeks to support robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems to enhance the quality, accountability, and effectiveness of DFAT-funded Governance programs in Papua New Guinea. These programs aim to strengthen institutional capacity, decentralisation, subnational cohesion, service delivery, and community resilience while improving justice services.

Challenges

Given the scale and complexity of the portfolio, there is a need for technical advisory support to ensure these programs achieve their strategic objectives effectively.

Expertise

We provide technical advisory in MEL, performance assessment, and quality assurance to DFAT staff responsible for program management through a core team of MEL and GEDSI consultants. We use the DFAT Design and MEL Standards, Guidance Note Performance Assessment Framework for Facilities, and the Performance and Delivery Framework as the guide to provide tailored advisory.

We support the Governance Branch with the ongoing implementation of a portfolio of governance programs, including the Australia-PNG Subnational Program (APSP), Building Community Engagement Program (BCEP), and the Australia-PNG Law and Justice Partnership (APLJP). 

We have delivered the following assignments to date:

• 'Evaluability' and ‘Monitoring in hard-to-reach places’ – background assessment/analysis and provide recommendation reports for APLJP.
• Review and evidence mapping against Investment Monitoring Report (IMR) criteria of the APLJP's Access to Justice for Children progress/completion report, with a view to informing the Final Investment Monitoring Report (FIMR).
• Evidence mapping of 2023 BCEP progress report and QA of 2023 BCEP IMR.
• Quality Assurance against DFAT Design and MEL standards of the APSP annual progress reports, and evidence mapping of APSP program progress against the IMR criteria.

Expected outcomes

Through providing ongoing and on-demand support to AHC staff responsible for developing programming, we aim to help strengthen MEL systems and performance assessment across the Governance Branch. Our support will improve MEL frameworks and systems, performance measurement and reporting, ensure robust quality assurance, and foster a learning culture within the Governance Branch. Ultimately, this will help improve program delivery and strategic outcomes aligned with the Australia–Papua New Guinea Development Partnership Plan 2024-2029.

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