Evaluation Learnings Search

Learning Description

Overall implementation processes are smoother when there is communication to all partners. Local partners benefit from clear and timely communication regarding changes to workplans, resource allocation, administrative requirements, and partner relations. While not a new lesson, applying adequate resources toward administrative support and establishing streamlined administrative processes has a high potential to reinforce technical/programmatic outcomes.

Learning Description

Multisectoral convening was found effective in validating assessments’ findings and guided the development of laws, policies, local ordinances, and key tools, such as the project's occupational safety and health and labor compliance toolkit. Stakeholders appreciated this approach and observed that it has contributed to strengthening links among the tripartite and participating service delivery nongovernmental organizations. Some stakeholders expressed that without these convenings, they would not have been aware of one another’s existence nor known how to work together and strengthen their ability to refer victims to appropriate service providers. While some stakeholders reported they have not been sufficiently engaged, the overall multisectoral or area-wide approach has been appreciated by most stakeholders.

Learning Description

Overall implementation processes are smoother when there is communication to all partners. Local partners benefit from clear and timely communication regarding changes to workplans, resource allocation, administrative requirements, and partner relations. While not a new lesson, applying adequate resources toward administrative support and establishing streamlined administrative processes has a high potential to reinforce technical/programmatic outcomes.

Learning Description

Monitoring and evaluation tools should focus on validating the project's Theory of Change in line with the United States Bureau of International Labor Affairs Theory of Sustained Change for workers’ rights programs while incorporating learning mechanisms and complexity-aware monitoring and evaluation where practical.

Learning Description

The project's sustainability plans were developed with limited input from local partners and were not socialized so these plans may be overly complex and difficult to implement without local buy-in. Monitoring and evaluation and sustainability plans should be developed in a participatory process and followed up at strategic junctures throughout implementation (at least semi-annually) with joint pause-and-reflect learning sessions. The sustainability plans should offer a limited number of major actions that consider both timely opportunities and priority risks.

Learning Description

The project’s collaboration with the Kenyan Ministry of Labor and Social Protection to develop the electronic case management system is potentially a good model upon completion for increasing the quality and consistency of inspections across labor sectors and geographies, managing documents, aggregating data analysis, strengthening transparency and accountability, and improving efficiency. The project has developed a wireframe (outline of the software system’s user journey) and software specifications via a participatory planning process that began with a compliance system assessment and inspection process workflow mapping. The electronic case management system holds promise for increasing the efficiency of Kenya's government and strengthening coordination among agencies, employers, and workers. The timeliness of electronic case management system coincides with the Kenyan government’s digitization investment and aligns with similar pilots with which lessons could be exchanged, such as with the International Labor Organization’s Samoa and Cook Islands pilot of a standardized electronic case management system for inspectorates in low-resource settings. This promising practice also builds on prior International Labor Organization experience with electronic case management systems. According to the International Labor Organization: “...the best systems are those tailored to national regulations, administrative procedures, and inspection workflows. Moreover, the sustainability of these systems depends on clear and budgeted commitments by labor administrations to provide ongoing human and financial support for maintenance and further development, often at significant cost.”

Learning Description

The project's sustainability plans were developed with limited input from local partners and were not socialized so these plans may be overly complex and difficult to implement without local buy-in. Monitoring and evaluation and sustainability plans should be developed in a participatory process and followed up at strategic junctures throughout implementation (at least semi-annually) with joint pause-and-reflect learning sessions. The sustainability plans should offer a limited number of major actions that consider both timely opportunities and priority risks.

Learning Description

Monitoring and evaluation tools should focus on validating the project's Theory of Change in line with the United States Bureau of International Labor Affairs Theory of Sustained Change for workers’ rights programs while incorporating learning mechanisms and complexity-aware monitoring and evaluation where practical.

Learning Description

The geographic scope of the project is too wide, making it difficult to plan and execute activities. Such a broad geographic scope also hinders the monitoring of the expected outcomes and the analysis of impacts. It also prevents the concentration of resources (staff, budget) in countries where more extensive actions are required.

Learning Description

Availability of staff is key to project performance. Project implementation has been more effective in countries where IPEC has strong country programs (i.e. Indonesia) or where designated GAP project personnel or focal points are available (i.e. Togo). Effective project implementation has been more difficult in countries where the project does not have available staff (i.e. Papua New Guinea, Namibia).