Pct37

Africa RISING PCT #37
17 July 2019
Skype call[edit | edit source]

Present

Apologies

Agenda

Update on Internally commissioned external review (ICER)

Contracts for all three reviewers have been signed and tickets for the field trips to Ghana, Mali, and Ethiopia been purchased. The reviewers are currently processing their entry visa to these countries with the assistance of IITA, ICRISAT, and ILRI. We are in the process of revising/finalizing the in-country travel agendas. A wiki site has been developed for the reviewers with relevant background documents. The team is now familiarizing themselves with the program through studies of the documents.
The review team held a kick-off meeting with the project managers, the chief scientists, and the program communication and knowledge management officer on 2nd July with the following agenda:

Introductions (sufficient to understand roles and expertise of key people supporting the evaluation)
Confirm review team's understanding of the TOR and general expectations re: scope, approach, audience, and roles
Discussion of process and insights from previous evaluations (including how these were integrated into program delivery)
Review timeline / schedule including field visits, deadlines for deliverables, and any ‘blackout’ dates for review team members or Africa RISING focal points
Discussion of methods including any suggestions from the review team for selection of field sites or structure of field visits

Everyone is aligned on a collaborative process that focuses on candid assessment of successes, challenges, and solutions. The review team welcomes a ‘hands on’ approach by AR team leaders and will take responsibility for seeking bilateral interactions with program partners and others to ensure a full range of perspectives are solicited.
The review team appreciates the full access to a broad set of program materials and requested assistance in navigating toward the most important documents.
Given upcoming annual leave for many on the AR team, the review team will try to avoid urgent requests for materials.
Field visit schedules are still being developed. The review team signaled a preference for adequate time at each site (rather than being rushed to include a larger number of sites) and will offer specific suggestions once documents have been reviewed.
Given other commitments in late October, the review team will focus on pre-trip preparation and efficient use of time during field visits so that post-trip analysis can be done in a timely way (i.e. November deadline for interim report for WA and ET projects).
Irmgard and Peter will notify the review team if there is sufficient budget for a US-based meeting (likely in DC or NYC in August) to prepare for field visits.

On the last bullet point, the review team was offered an option to arrive in Ghana two days ahead of the field trip. However, the team decided to hold virtual meetings instead. Key Informant Interviews are on going.

Program Funding from USAID

Our Centers have received notice that the funds for this fiscal year have been released. We are waiting for further details from our Finance units.
Receipt of funds has since been confirmed. - UPDATE ON 3 September 2019.

AoB