IBI Helps the Government of Pakistan to Build its M&E Systems

In response to a priority need expressed by the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, IBI’s team for the USAID/Pakistan Capacity Development Services – Small Business (PCDS-SB) activity produced a Monitoring and Evaluation Systems Assessment for the province’s Planning and Development Department (P&DD). The study identified procedural and capacity gaps in the existing M&E system, and proposed solutions that can improve the availability of data and support evidence-based decision-making.

IBI’s Chief of Party Muhamad Fahim (center) and M&E Systems Assessment Expert Muhammad Zahoor (left) meet with Director General (M&E) of KP Sajjad Khan (right).

The assessment focused on four main areas – the M&E policy framework; Management Information System (MIS) applications; current M&E practices and intra- and inter-departmental coordination; P&DD’s M&E human capacity.

The findings of the study highlight a number of challenges that the P&DD is facing, including lack of coordination and integration of the M&E systems and frameworks between various departments, low level of recognition of the critical role of M&E among the staff, absence of a dedicated M&E unit, and insufficient human resources, among others.

The assessment report offers solutions to these issues, including concrete recommendations on how to integrate and automate the planning, implementation, and monitoring functions of the P&DD.

The PCDS-SB activity is improving the country’s public financial management system through research and assessments, digitalization, and trainings. IBI looks forward to continuing working with USAID and the Government of Pakistan on strengthening governance systems and improving transparency and effectiveness of service delivery.