New approaches to the “Third One” in a changing M&E landscape

This note from the World Bank summarises recent progress and challenges in meeting the “Third One” – One national Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) System – and analyses their implications for future M&E support to countries by development partners. The report notes that there has been an increased recognition of the importance of and investment in M&E systems for HIV and AIDS. However, a number of challenges still remain, including: national M&E strategies are not always aligned to national HIV and AIDS strategies; a lack of M&E strategies in some countries; a lack of support for sub-national and community based strategies; a lack of funding for evaluations; and data is not synthesised, analysed or used to support policy, programme and strategic management.

The report notes the changing M&E landscape, and highlights how countries are increasingly demanding mores specific M&E technical assistance, sound M&E frameworks, and AIDS programmes with M&E to better support programme management. To respond to these changing needs, the author suggests the need for increased flexibility in current models that emphasise long-term deployment of M&E generalists. The author also suggest that countries should work together to develop and M&E road map that charts the work to be done and identifies who will take responsibility and provide the needed resources. [adapted from author]