Evaluation Learnings Search

Learning Description

Participatory approaches were effective throughout the development of the electronic case management system. At its inception, the project, conducted a series of activities, with the participation of Departmental Delegates and Labor Inspectors, which have facilitated the preparation of the grounds for the eventual development of the electronic case management system (for example the mapping of the inspection procedures in the Delegation of Escuintla). During 2021/22 the project team, the company contracted to develop the electronic case management system, and the Ministry of Labor task force (composed of the Vice-Minister; a Vice-Minister’s advisor; the General Labor Inspector; Departmental Delegates; and Labor Inspectors) collaborated in both the design and development of the electronic case management system. Such participatory approaches allowed for a better alignment of the electronic case management system with the requirements of the Ministry of Labor, as well as with the labor inspection procedures and workflows. Moreover, this participatory approach generated ownership among the Ministry of Labor leadership, departmental delegates and labor inspectors.

Learning Description

Flexibility, capacity to adapt and sustained engagement with project partners were instrumental in project implementation. The project team demonstrated considerable flexibility, resulting in the adaptation of different components of the project, in order to meet the changing requirements of the Ministry of Labor. This resulted in the continued provision of relevant support to the General Labor Inspectorate, and allowed for the development of the electronic case management system. Moreover, the high degree of professionalism demonstrated by company contracted to develop the case management system, in combination with the flexibility to pivot when needs changed, have contributed to the ultimately successful development process of the electronic case management system. Additionally, the sustained engagement of the project with the judiciary and the employers’ organizations has been conducive to support the overall project implementation.

Learning Description

Participation of the labor inspectorate staff in capacity building activities. Participation in capacity building activities for labor inspectors, departmental delegates and other relevant Ministry of Labor/General Labor Inspectorate staff ideally must be compulsory, specifically, the requirement of having finished training and having received certification in the use of the electronic case management system (for all relevant staff of the labor inspectorate). In addition, capacity building activities are found to be more effective when carried out in person, with reserved time in the schedules of inspectors, delegates, Ministry of Labor staff, etc., rather than online.

Learning Description

Project implementation must be guided by sound monitoring processes, to ensure that information about results is used in real time, to improve decision- making. Monitoring must closely follow the actual progress of different components of the project. When necessary the attention of management must be called (both grantee and U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of International Labor Affairs) as to whether the desired results are effectively being achieved or not. In some cases adjustments must be made and compromises may need to be found. Thus, monitoring should be used for more than writing mandatory reports required by U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of International Labor Affairs. A good monitoring system is useful as a tool that can assist management with the identification of problems, before or as they occur, and allow for quick corrective actions when required. Timely monitoring processes that provide sound information can also be useful to provide learning opportunities for project staff and stakeholders.

Learning Description

Project management skills. Overall, the grantee had demonstrated strong management skills, as well as good communication and coordination skills, which are necessary for the project management to provide adequate technical assistance based on the implementation capacities and timelines of project partners (including government). Additionally, projects that seek to strengthen labor inspection require qualified staff with sound knowledge of labor inspection and labor legislation, which in this project was also found to be the case.

Learning Description

Risk assessment and mitigation strategies for the project. Technical assistance/development cooperation projects are often implemented in complicated and challenging contexts. Such projects usually are designed to address complex and multi-dimensional problems. It is also important to recognize that the majority of such projects face significant challenges during their implementation. However, some of these are foreseeable and recurrent (for example, election processes and changes in the management and staff of the project partners, especially the Ministry of Labor). In this regard, sound risk assessment and mitigation measures need to be established in the design stage, and these should be updated during project implementation. Additionally, in complex situations it may be necessary to reformulate the project to adapt to the changing context. This requires significant flexibility from both the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of International Labor Affairs and from the grantees, in allowing for relevant and necessary adjustments when necessary.

Learning Description

Interventions aimed at promoting compliance/adherence to regulations on working conditions usually require a significant amount of time and resources, as they call for transformative and systemic changes. U.S. Department of Labor and the grantees should be prepared to engage with national partners (e.g. Ministry of Labor, Judiciary, Workers, and Employers) during a prolonged period of time. Especially when supporting the improvement of working conditions / compliance with labor law legislation in countries with limited inspection, enforcement and judicial capacities. Specifically, the implementation of Labor Law reforms; the strengthening of the labor inspectorate; the design and implementation of electronic case management systems, etc. require the dedication of a significant amount of time and resources. In addition, the pace of such developments is generally dependent on factors that are outside the control of U.S. Department of Labor and the grantees.

Learning Description

Adequate time should be allocated for any systems-building project like this project, and planning should include a risk analysis that reflects this. Over the years it has become more and more apparent that project planners underestimate the amount of time that systems building takes. Of course, no amount of risk analysis could predict the COVID-19 pandemic; regardless, even without COVID-19, the time needed for systems building is frequently underestimated. The systems building has at least two main components: capacity strengthening and the establishment and good functioning of decision-making networks.

Learning Description

The systems-building has at least two main components: capacity strengthening and the establishment and good functioning of decision-making networks. While training is one part of capacity strengthening, mentoring and other follow up are essential for effectiveness. More importantly, it is evident that the establishment and/or strengthening of working groups takes time. Working groups are composed of individuals, which means that relationships need to be built. Also, unfortunately, participating entities do not always send their decision-makers to working group meetings, nor do they always send the same person. As a result, time is lost on reintroducing subjects and content during meetings. Without decision-makers present in the meetings, much time is needed for follow up with the participating entities to ensure that decisions are adopted and implemented. Demanding that the right person attends is one solution, but it is often found that such demands cannot be forced. Overall, it is important to consider that adequate time is allocated for systems building in the case of a project similar to this project.

Learning Description

Project staffing needs to be realistic, as well as adapted and increased if that is found necessary during implementation. In any good management process, attention needs to be paid to process as well as results. Effectiveness and efficiency are improved if staffing levels are adequate. Staff also have a right to reasonable working hours, even if overtime is sometimes justified and necessary. At least one more technical specialist is needed in the decentralized project office in Lualaba, preferably with a specialization in data systems development for the child labor monitoring system and to provide additional support for the project data monitoring and evaluation reporting.