- Evaluation Plan:
- 2018-2021, Independent Evaluation Office
- Evaluation Type:
- ICPE/ADR
- Planned End Date:
- 12/2020
- Completion Date:
- 12/2020
- Status:
- Completed
- Management Response:
- Yes
- Evaluation Budget(US $):
- 25,000
Independent Country Programme Review: Belize
| Document | Type | Language | Size | Status | Downloads |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 ICPR Belize ToR.pdf |
tor | English | 462.41 KB | Posted | 1845 |
| ICPR Belize.pdf |
report | English | 1055.38 KB | Posted | 2033 |
| Title | Independent Country Programme Review: Belize | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlas Project Number: | 106014,100299,84493 | |||||||||||||||
| Evaluation Plan: | 2018-2021, Independent Evaluation Office | |||||||||||||||
| Evaluation Type: | ICPE/ADR | |||||||||||||||
| Status: | Completed | |||||||||||||||
| Completion Date: | 12/2020 | |||||||||||||||
| Planned End Date: | 12/2020 | |||||||||||||||
| Management Response: | Yes | |||||||||||||||
| Focus Area: |
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| Corporate Outcome and Output (UNDP Strategic Plan 2018-2021) |
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| SDG Target |
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| Evaluation Budget(US $): | 25,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Source of Funding: | ||||||||||||||||
| Evaluation Expenditure(US $): | 25,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Joint Programme: | No | |||||||||||||||
| Joint Evaluation: | No | |||||||||||||||
| Evaluation Team members: |
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| GEF Evaluation: | No | |||||||||||||||
| Key Stakeholders: | ||||||||||||||||
| Countries: | BELIZE |
| Lessons | |
|---|---|
| Findings |
| Recommendations | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Building on its strategic positioning and close partnership with the Government on the environment portfolio, UNDP Belize should continue to consolidate its work in this area, as well as strengthen its offerings to support inclusive growth and accountable institutions. UNDP should continue its support in strengthening national data management systems and mainstreaming SDGs in national planning. |
| 2 | UNDP Belize should map potential funding sources and leverage Belize’s (sub)regional relevance in resource mobilization. This should be done with support from the Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean and the Panama Regional Hub. Working together with the Regional Bureau, the Belize country office should develop cost-effective solutions for UNDP to explore collaboration with the Government in implementing initiatives financed by IFIs. |
| 3 | UNDP should consolidate and expand its collaboration with the CSO Hub in HIV/AIDS and other UNDP working areas, to strengthen the CSO Hub’s effectiveness and sustainability. |
| 4 | UNDP should review its modus operandi in Belize to improve its efficiency and sustainability. |
| 5 | UNDP Belize should improve M&E practices, establish an office-wide documentation filing system, and promote regular knowledge sharing and exchange. The country office should strengthen its strategic communication with key stakeholders at both technical and political levels. |
1. Recommendation:
Building on its strategic positioning and close partnership with the Government on the environment portfolio, UNDP Belize should continue to consolidate its work in this area, as well as strengthen its offerings to support inclusive growth and accountable institutions. UNDP should continue its support in strengthening national data management systems and mainstreaming SDGs in national planning.
Management Response: [Added: 2021/02/18] [Last Updated: 2021/05/28]
Fully accepted
Key Actions:
| Key Action | Responsible | DueDate | Status | Comments | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| During the CPD development, the country office will focus on its positioning and offerings in the current and specified programmatic areas.
[Added: 2021/05/28] [Last Updated: 2022/01/26] |
UNDP Management | 2021/10 | Completed | New CPD has been developed and approved and incorporates current and specific programmatic areas. History | |
| Programming will consolidate the energy and environment portfolio; support data capacities; and draw on the Global Policy Network.
[Added: 2021/05/28] [Last Updated: 2022/01/26] |
Programme Teams | 2021/12 | Completed | Completed as part of new CPD process. History |
2. Recommendation:
UNDP Belize should map potential funding sources and leverage Belize’s (sub)regional relevance in resource mobilization. This should be done with support from the Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean and the Panama Regional Hub. Working together with the Regional Bureau, the Belize country office should develop cost-effective solutions for UNDP to explore collaboration with the Government in implementing initiatives financed by IFIs.
Management Response: [Added: 2021/02/18] [Last Updated: 2021/05/28]
Fully accepted
Key Actions:
| Key Action | Responsible | DueDate | Status | Comments | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The country office will continue to review its structure recognizing the relatively high administrative cost given its size and that Belize is a MIC including through the Integrated Work Plan development process. The CO Management will also continue to advocate to the Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean (RBLAC) on the challenges faced, noting the process of clustering and development of back office facilities as well as cooperation with other COs in support this issue.
[Added: 2021/05/28] [Last Updated: 2022/11/09] |
UNDP Management | 2023/12 | Initiated | UNDP through the UNCT OMT has led the development of the BOS which will provide efficiencies at the local level among AFPs. Furthermore, the CO is enhancing collaboration with the Jamaica CO noting the same RR. The CO is also advancing discussions with RBLAC on required structure to realize the CPD, noting the corporate review of contract modalities (ie NPSA and IPSA). History | |
| Resource mobilization strategy to be updated quarterly and revisited as a part of the CPD.
[Added: 2021/05/28] [Last Updated: 2022/01/26] |
Management Team | 2021/10 | Completed | RM Strategy was revisited as part of the new CPD and updates /revisions are an ongoing process. History | |
| The country office has been seeking to build on its CA and Caribbean opportunities regarding regional or multi-country initiatives including corruption and citizen security and will continue to do the same in collaboration with the Regional Hub and other country offices.
[Added: 2021/05/28] [Last Updated: 2022/01/26] |
Management and programme teams | 2021/12 | Completed | CO has and continues to build on opportunities both in Central America and the Caribbean in addition to collaborating with the regional hub and other COs. This remains an ongoing effort. History | |
| The country office has begun the process of engaging key Ministries and expects that this will also involve the UN System as a whole through the MSDF development. The country office will continue to advocate on its value proposition to support national implementation including of IFI funded initiatives with national and development partners. Generally, there will be a continued and improved focus on targeted communication related to areas of support from UNDP.
[Added: 2021/05/28] [Last Updated: 2022/01/26] |
Management and programme teams | 2021/12 | Completed | CO has and continues to engage key ministries as part of the MSDF. In addition, it has advocated on its value proposition to support national implementation. Efforts are ongoing for continued and improved focus on targeted communication on the areas of support from UNDP. History |
3. Recommendation:
UNDP should consolidate and expand its collaboration with the CSO Hub in HIV/AIDS and other UNDP working areas, to strengthen the CSO Hub’s effectiveness and sustainability.
Management Response: [Added: 2021/02/18] [Last Updated: 2021/05/28]
Fully accepted
Key Actions:
| Key Action | Responsible | DueDate | Status | Comments | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The country office will continue to discuss the issue of optimal staff complement with RBLAC and the minimum requirement and sustainable financing of the positions.
[Added: 2021/05/28] [Last Updated: 2022/11/09] |
Senior Management | 2023/12 | Initiated | Note earlier comment regarding CO structure. History | |
| The country office is expanding work with the CSO Hub to enhance role in outreach programmes and to build capacities for social contracting.
[Added: 2021/05/28] [Last Updated: 2022/11/09] |
Global Fund Project Team | 2022/12 | Completed | UNDP has completed significant capacity building for the CSO Hub in the area of financial management and M&E reporting through the Global Project project. The hub acts a coordinating entity for sub-sub recipients and ensures quality management and transparency. UNDP provided small grants to the sub-sub recipients in the LBTQI community to institutionalize themselves which is a direct reflection of social contracting and capacity building. As a direct result of this, UNDP was able to provide greater access to health services to marginalized LBQTI communities who we not are able to reach directly. History | |
| The country office will continue to engage CSOs and support capacity development for environmental initiatives utilizing GEF 6 & 7 and SGP modalities.
[Added: 2021/05/28] [Last Updated: 2022/01/26] |
GEF SGP and E&E Programme Team | 2021/12 | Completed | CO has and will continue to engage CSOs, in addition to supporting capacity development for environmental initiatives using the GEF 6, 7 and SGP Modalities History |
4. Recommendation:
UNDP should review its modus operandi in Belize to improve its efficiency and sustainability.
Management Response: [Added: 2021/02/18] [Last Updated: 2021/05/28]
Fully accepted
Key Actions:
| Key Action | Responsible | DueDate | Status | Comments | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The country office has agreed with the Jamaica country office to establish joint Contracts, Assets, and Procurement (CAP) committees and Compliance Review Panels (CRPs).
[Added: 2021/05/28] [Last Updated: 2022/11/09] |
CO Management | 2022/12 | Initiated | Noting change in personnel in the Jamaica CO, this has been outstanding and will be completed by year end. History | |
| The country office continues to work with the Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean (RBLAC) on streamlining the process of workload support through the clustering of services; noting that bank reconciliation, AP processing, pay cycle processing and vendor management are already completed. The country office will continue its migration of key back office functions and Common Service submissions through 2022. Additionally, the country office will continue to work with RBLAC on establishing Common Back Office Functions as part of streamline processing and cost reductions with other UN Agencies, scheduled for the end of 2021, early 2022.
[Added: 2021/05/28] [Last Updated: 2022/11/09] |
Operations Team | 2022/12 | Completed | CO has migrated HR, AP, Treasury, Vendor Management and Project Closure and Reporting to GSSC. History |
5. Recommendation:
UNDP Belize should improve M&E practices, establish an office-wide documentation filing system, and promote regular knowledge sharing and exchange. The country office should strengthen its strategic communication with key stakeholders at both technical and political levels.
Management Response: [Added: 2021/02/18] [Last Updated: 2021/05/28]
Fully accepted
Key Actions:
| Key Action | Responsible | DueDate | Status | Comments | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The country office will adopt appropriate outcome and output indicators in next CPD and review periodically.
[Added: 2021/05/28] [Last Updated: 2022/01/26] |
Management Team | 2021/10 | Completed | New outcome and output indicators have been developed for the CPD. Revisions are to be done as part of the overall programmatic management. History | |
| Review of M&E role and function to ensure consistency within the resources of the CO.
[Added: 2021/05/28] |
Management | 2021/03 | Completed | ||
| Establishment of internal digital filing system.
[Added: 2021/05/28] |
ICT and PAs | 2021/03 | Completed | Digital Filing System established in SharePoint Online. | |
| Knowledge sharing across portfolios and with other COs happens to a limited extent but appreciate the need for more substantive approach.
[Added: 2021/05/28] [Last Updated: 2022/11/09] |
Management team and programme teams with communities of practice. | 2023/06 | Completed | CO has ensured that there is greater knowledge sharing across portfolios within the CO through it is scheduled programme and management meetings. Staff who attend Communities of Practices are required to debrief senior management and share information/knowledge with the rest of the team. History |