REMAPP Meeting: 28th October 1999,Hosted byWorld Vision in Milton Keynes |
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Attended by
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Apologies were received from:
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The meeting focused on Sue's presentation of WVs Peer Appraisal Process. A hand-out provided details of this process. It was generally felt that this Peer Appraisal system had advantages for accountability and lesson-learning. However some questions were raised.
There was a general feeling that appraisal reports should be disseminated for mutual learning and transparency both within and outside the National Office. Also that the self-appraisal approach should be more participatory. WVUK's Appraisal, although confidential, did create a more open and participatory culture within World Vision witnessed through the early stages of the "EAGLE" restructuring process.
The 3-4 days normally given to the WV Peer Appraisal was considered a little short. Moreover, it was expressed that the size of the Appraisal team (3-4) directly correlated to the degree of organisational 'connectedness' and learning. More people in the team would benefit the partnerships learning in and through Peer Appraisals.
Action Aid ActionAid have undertaken a review (a 'Taking Stock') of the organisation. 5 outside consultants and one insider/outsider conducted an extensive review which included country visits and discussions with various AA offices in theUK as well as discussions with other agencies. The consultant's report was circulated to all staff without amendment by the Director. This will later be followed up by a Director's note on recommendations which the agency will seek to implement. This was considered a brave and transparent approach to evalution."
Accord, in much the same way as World Vision, conduct a Peer evaluation after consultation with stake-holders. At present Accord is drawing together the conclusions made from this evaluation and beginning to put recommendations into action.
World Vision's Peer Review is a formal evaluation, however there are also informal checks and pressures for good performance. Field Offices (FOs) will communicate their preferences in the way Support Offices (SOs) 'support'. There is an internal market economy where FOs provide the 'best' programmes for SOs and SOs provide the best funding for FOs. FOs in effect can choose which SOs to approach for funding and SOs can assess the strategy and direction chosen by each FO. FOs give SOs feedback on best practice. All this can be done through the inter-partnership database system. This therefore often helps to improve communications and efficiency.
PLAN has a similar system to WV where SOs are aware of the FOs strategies and plans and can choose to support or not. The HQ is in Woking and independent National Offices around the world. An evaluation initiated through a region is now involving the HQ.
Action Aid ActionAid in Europe has a number of autonomous offices which are seeking to draw closer together. They want to collaborate in a number of areas such as advocacy. It is likely that very soon ActionAid's Board -now all from the UK- will be internationalised.
Oxfam's FOs are perhaps more ear-marked to specific SOs. WV is more of a 'heterarchy' rather than a hierarchy. This is institutionalised at the WV International Council through each National Office (in North and South) having equal voting power. _____________________________________________________________________________________ It was decided that the concept of examining 1 issue or topic at a time is more fruitful than a number of topics. Taking up an offer by Jill Phillips, it was agreed that the next meeting should be at Water Aid where discussions can focus on their impact assessment report which is expected to be finalised by January 2000. It was suggested that Water Aid's findings might be forwarded to REMAPP members to enable greater discussion at the next REMAPP meeting. It was proposed the next meeting take place in February 2000 (at Water Aid's convenience). It was proposed the meeting after be led by Ian Shaw who gave an interesting presentation on Qualitative Evaluation Methods for Humanitarian Aid at the last Active Learning Network for Assessment and Performance (ALNAP) meeting.
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