Detailed Mechanism Funding and Narrative

Years of mechanism: 2010 2011 2012 2013

Details for Mechanism ID: 12264
Country/Region: Zambia
Year: 2012
Main Partner: University of North Carolina
Main Partner Program: NA
Organizational Type: University
Funding Agency: USAID
Total Funding: $400,000

MEASURE Evaluation Phase III works to improve the collection, analysis and presentation of data to promote better use of data in policy-making, monitoring and evaluation of HIV/AIDS and other health programs. Previously, MEASURE Evaluation has collaborated with USG and local institutions in Zambia to conduct HIV prevention surveys and to build capacity in data collection, analysis, and dissemination..

MEASURE Evaluation activities in FY2012 plan on working with the National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council (NAC), the Ministry of Health (MOH), and USG implementing partners, on capacity-building at national, district, and community levels. To strengthen data and M&E systems, improve data quality, and encourage a data use beyond meeting reporting requirements to inform program decision-making. Activities will build upon work at NAC to standardize the data collection protocol and to develop a new strategic framework for the period 2011-2015.M&E of these activities will establish benchmarks to track and document progress, and use internationally standard data quality assessment tools and M&E systems strengthening tools to obtain and compare, baseline and follow up measures tailored to each activity component.

Support to the MOH will be tailored to strengthening the M&E system of the health sector in Zambia. Support will be provided in the implementation of the HIS strategic plan especially increasing HIS data completeness and timely reporting in the health sector; strengthening data quality by further integrating and harmonizing HMIS and data of all different institutions and agencies and strengthen analysis and use of data for decision making.

The activity supportsthe GHI principle of building sustainable health systems and as will as strengthening metricsM&E.

Funding for Strategic Information (HVSI): $400,000

MEASURE Evaluation will provide technical assistance and capacity-building and training (CBT) to NAC, MOH and other M&E staff. These CBT activities will be aimed at M&E and data systems strengthening and improving data quality, and will assist NAC in resolving problems they have experienced with poor data quality and reliability, leading to inconsistent and non-comparable data produced across the various data sources. Specific capacity-building activities at the individual and institutional level will prepare the relevant parties to understand and use Data Quality Assessment (DQA) tools and the M&E Systems Strengthening Tool (MESST), initially with assistance, and then independently. Information produced by application of these tools will identify gaps and problems, and provides a structure for an action plan to address gaps and weaknesses.

MEASURE Evaluation support will build upon activities funded in FY2011 and will mainly support the NAC to implement the National Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (20112015). Support will also be provided to the MOH to implement the Health Information System strategic plan (HISSP) 2010-2015 specifically to: increase HIS data completeness and timely reporting in the health sector; strengthen data quality by integrating and harmonizing HMIS and data of all different institutions and agencies and strengthen analysis and use of data for decision making. The project will work with the MOH to identify more activities that will improve the availability, quality and use of data and information.MEASURE Evaluation will support NAC and MOH in instituting and conducting DQAs aimed at providing baseline measures and subsequent monitoring of changes in data collection, compilation and reporting following the capacity-building provided.

MEASURE Evaluation will support the NAC M&E team in leading the national technical working group as well as support the implementation of the midterm review of the National HIV and AIDS Strategic Framework (NASF). Technical assistance will also be provided to the CSO and NAC to implement that Zambia Behaviors surveillance survey and other studies required to inform the national response to HIV/AIDS epidemic.