Evaluation of the Strategic Gap Filling Programme

In early 2004, the Commonwealth Secretariat commissioned an evaluation of the effectiveness of its Programme 4.4: Technical Assistance for Strategic Gap Filling (SGF).
This report responds to that commission over six chapters. The first chapter provides the background to the evaluation and describes the methodology, while also outlining the issues driving the evaluation.

The analysis of issues is undertaken over the next four chapters, which are divided chronologically into the past (chapter 2), the present (in two parts, chapters 3 and 4) and the future (chapter 5). Chapter 5 also looks at the options for structuring Strategic Gap Filling and, finally, chapter 6 recaps the recommendations of previous chapters and provides some concluding thoughts. Chapter 1: Introduction looks at the terms of reference (ToR), which have ‘a specific focus on the conceptual definition of technical assistance for strategic gap filling and the provision of training and skills development as a means to support national capacity building efforts’1. The evaluation objectives also include examining the rationale, design and assessment criteria used in the development of Programme 4.4 and the management procedures used to deliver the programme and monitor quality. The evaluation is further expected to make recommendations on the following:

• Relevant policy issues and best practice design parameters for programmes with capacity building objectives in the Secretariat;
• Planning design and review criteria to ensure the programme effectively supports capacity building objectives and outcomes;
• Planning and management systems, quality assurance procedures and organisational arrangements to meet efficiency and effectiveness standards; and
• Measures to assess and report on the ongoing effectiveness, sustainability and impact of capacity building projects and programmes.

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SGF Report Main

SGF Report Annexes