Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION 1.1 OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE The Assessment of Development Results (ADR) in Cambodia is an independent country-level evaluation conducted by the Evaluation Office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2009. Its objective is to assess UNDP overall performance and contribution to development in Cambodia during the two most recent programming cycles and to draw lessons for future strategies, particularly for the next programming cycle. Accordingly, this ADR examined UNDP strategy and performance under the ongoing Country Programme Document (CPD) 2006-2010 for Cambodia and Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) 2006-2010, as well as the previous Country Cooperation Framework (CCF) 2001-2005, with a closer look at the more recent programme. In doing the assessment, the report looked at UNDP projects and activities as part of the broader United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF).
1.2 METHODOLOGY The ADR examined not only performance of the country programme in attaining the target outcomes as defined in the programme document, but also the extent to which the programme outputs helped the country achieve its own development goals. These programme
1
outputs and target outcomes were also evaluated in terms of their relevance against the needs and priorities of the country, as well as the values and norms of UNDP. Further, the ADR tried to evaluate whether the strategies pursued by the country office have been conducive towards the country achieving its development goals. Recognizing that the contribution towards development results is more than just the sum of outcomes of individual interventions, the ADR did not examine in detail the performance of every programme activity, but sought to assess the impact of the programme as a whole. While drawing the link between UNDP activities and national development outcomes, care was taken not to rush into a direct causal attribution. The evaluation team adopted the principle of triangulation, cross-checking the evaluators’ judgement against the opinions of several alternative sources such as relevant government officials, development partners, professional experts, representatives of political parties, non-governmental organizations [NGOs] and other members of civil society. The evaluation team found the Mid-term CPAP Results Assessment conducted in early 2009 particularly useful.1 In addition, a number of project reviews and evaluations were used to corroborate what the team obtained from key informants.
Winderl T, ‘UNDP Cambodia Country Programme Action Plan—Results Assessments 2006-2008’, UNDP Cambodia, 2009. The methodology used by the Mid-term CPAP Results Assessment was as follows: First, 12 area experts carefully analysed the outcome and output statements to establish the analytical framework; Second, data for the outcome and output indicators were collected and compared to the baseline and target figures; Third, area experts conducted qualitative assessments based on a variety of sources, most commonly key informant interview and desk reviews. It is to be noted that the results of this assessment were shared with the government and accepted.
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION
1