National evaluation policy in South Africa

This case study, prepared by Katerina Stolyarenko for the Parliamentary Forum for Development Evaluation outlines the process that was used to develop and implement a government-wide monitoring and evaluation system in South Africa.

Excerpt

"In 2005 the South African Government introduced a government-wide M&E policy framework. This framework served to establish the initial momentum for a structured approach to M&E, which gained added commitment after the national elections in May 2009.

A National Evaluation Policy Framework in South Africa is just three years old and is still evolving. The whole design of the evaluation system is utilization focused, seeking to build from a demand-driven system.

A number of institutions are involved in the implementation of the overall M&E system in South Africa including: The Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, located in the Presidency, National Treasury, the Department of Public Service and Administration, the Auditor-General, the Department of Cooperative Governance, Statistics SA and the Public Service Commission.

M&E is closely associated with the planning process in government. In addition to recent processes directed at affirming long-term plans for the country, South Africa has a five year overarching Medium Term Strategic Framework, five year departmental strategic plans and annual performance plans (APPs). National Treasury monitors quarterly reporting against APPs."

Contents

• Introduction 4
  • Political, Economic and Development Context 4
  • M&E Context 5
• Institutional setting of NEP in the South Africa 6
  • NEP’s Focus and Purposes 6
  • Legal and Policy Framework 6
  • Institutional Arrangements 7
  • M&E Tools, Components, Evaluation Methodologies and Quality of Data 9
  • Professional Capacity for M&E 14
  • Utilization of M&E 16
• Achievements and Challenges 17
• Good Practice(s) 18
• Conclusion 19
• Documents consulted 20
• Interviews held 20