ICAI Follow-up Evaluation of DFID’s Electoral Support through UNDP

ICAI Follow up

1. We assessed DFID’s funding of electoral support through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). We found that DFID’s choice of UNDP as the primary channel for this work was credible and that the programmes had contributed to the successful conduct of elections and the reduction of conflict. We did, however, identify weaknesses in the way UNDP runs its programmes, making recommendations to DFID on how to use its influence at both headquarters and local levels to push for improvements. We also recommended that DFID should make efforts to cultivate alternative or additional delivery partners to complement its work with UNDP.

2. DFID has engaged very positively with our recommendations, designing a suite of appropriate and relevant actions. It has used our report to focus on new issues that we had identified, as well as to make further progress on areas on which it was already working.

3. Much of DFID’s response has been to create revised guidance for staff on how to push for improvements in UNDP performance. This guidance is thorough and appropriate and, in some cases, goes beyond the areas outlined in our recommendations. It will only be of value, however, if DFID staff make use of it to ensure delivery of better programmes.

4. DFID has also used our report to add weight to its push for UN reform. This is reflected in the wider DFID work to engage with the UN system and in board-level discussions held between UNDP and DFID, focussing on issues such as performance monitoring and reporting. The next Multilateral Aid Review will be an opportunity for DFID to reframe its relationship with UNDP as appropriate. Challenges remain for DFID to push for greater clarity within UNDP between its two roles of political engagement and technical support.

5. On cultivating alternative providers, DFID has gathered and distributed information to staff but, given the limited alternatives, could have done more centrally to identify and help to overcome the barriers for other providers. There is an opportunity to do this now that the guidance has been developed.

6. Overall, we are pleased with DFID’s response to our recommendations and look forward with interest to see how DFID uses its guidance and other actions to improve programme delivery and outcomes for intended beneficiaries.