The World Bank Report No: ISR14682 Implementation Status & Results Mongolia MN-Institutional Strengthening for Donor Assistance Management (P129392) Public Disclosure Copy Operation Name: MN-Institutional Strengthening for Donor Assistance Project Stage: Implementation Seq.No: 2 Status: ARCHIVED Archive Date: 02-Jul-2014 Management (P129392) Country: Mongolia Approval FY: 2012 Product Line: Institutional Development Fund Region: EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC Lending Instrument: Implementing Agency(ies): Key Dates Board Approval Date 05-Jan-2012 Original Closing Date 05-Apr-2015 Planned Mid Term Review Date 10-Apr-2014 Last Archived ISR Date 03-Mar-2013 Effectiveness Date 05-Apr-2012 Revised Closing Date 05-Apr-2015 Actual Mid Term Review Date 12-Jun-2014 Project Development Objectives Project Development Objective (from IDF Proposal) The objective of the grant is to strengthen the government's ability to manage development projects funded by the Official Donor Assistance (ODA) in Mongolia, through a) establishing result-oriented Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems with a focus on effective and efficient delivery of intended results of development projects, b) strengthening M&E network and capacity, and c) enhancing the quality and accessibility of information for decision makers and stakeholders. Has the Project Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project? Yes No Component(s) Component Name Component Cost Develop result-oriented M&E system for ODA-funded projects 245070.00 Strengthen M&E capacity at national and local level 86800.00 Support utilization of M&E results to inform strategic and operational decision making 18130.00 Public Disclosure Copy Overall Ratings Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Unsatisfactory Overall Risk Rating Moderate Moderate Implementation Status Overview Since the previous ISR for the project was done in February 2013, some progress has been made in implementation of this project. As agreed and reflected on the previous ISR, a Project Steering Committee (PSC) for the project was established on April 10, 2013 chaired by the State Secretary of MOF and with representatives from MOF, Ministry of Economic Development (MED), the Cabinet Secretariat, Municipality of Ulaanbaatar City. Subsequently, at a Steering Committee meeting on April 30, 2013, the 2013 project work plan and the Page 1 of 4 The World Bank Report No: ISR14682 financial plan were approved. During the period between July 25 and August 2, 2013 under the component for strengthening the M&E key staff capacity, 8 Government officials who are in charge of ODA policy and implementation at MOF, MED, Cabinet Secretariat, the Municipality of Ulaanbaatar City and National Audit Office participated in training on "Monitoring and Evaluation Systems: Public Disclosure Copy Design and Implementation" at SYTEM International Institute in Malaysia. Furthermore, the procurement process for an international consultant with the TOR to conduct a a diagnostic study on the exiting M&E practice for ODA-funded projects and to develop result-based M&E framework for ODA-funded project was carried out and the contract was awarded on October 18, 2013. With joint efforts from the national coordinating consultant and the international consultant, the diagnostic study on the existing M&E practice for development projects was conducted and the study report was delivered to MOF and other related stakeholders. As part of the diagnostic study, a short survey was conducted among M&E officers in all line ministries in an attempt to get more representative opinion on the status of M&E knowledge, experience and needs for filling capacity gaps. Based on the diagnostic study results, the international consultant was supposed to develop result- based M&E framework (a methodology document) for ODA-funded projects but the consultant misunderstood this portion of his TOR and instead prepared and submitted a system design for M&E (general software design document). The coordinating consultant and other MOF official related to the project took the necessary actions to rectify the situation and as a result the international consultant delivered the M&E framework/methodology document in April 2014. The draft document has now been translated into tje Mongolian language, so the coordinating consultant is planning to circulate it through relevant stakeholders for comment and subsequent finalization by August 30, 2014 the latest. Due to the rather rocky start of the project and further delays caused by the issue described above with regards to development of the M&E framework for ODA-funded projects, other planned activities under the project that have this methodology document as a prerequisite -- e.g. M&E system development and training -- have also been delayed. However, the M&E framework is now proposed for finalization by the end of August 2014 and the project has just hired a local IT consultant to work simultaneously on identifying the planned M&E software design/technical specifications. Depending on the decision to be made on either to develop OR purchase (off-the shelf) M&E software, the approved project funds allocation may need to be amended as the original financing table allows budget for this activity under the category of goods. Locations No Location data has been entered Results Indicators Indicator Name Core Unit of Measure Baseline Current End Target M&E framework and related regulatory Text Value 0 Based on a diagnostic study M&E framework including guidelines forumated, adopted and applied for conducted, a draft M&E regulatory guidelines in place ongoing ODA projects. framework has been and operational developed and is currently Public Disclosure Copy going under a finalization process Date 12-Jun-2014 31-Aug-2014 Comments Number of staff applied knowledge through the Number Value 0.00 8.00 100.00 training activities in their daily work. Date 02-Aug-2013 31-Dec-2014 Comments 8 staff from key Government organizations in charge of M&E policies and practices Page 2 of 4 The World Bank Report No: ISR14682 have been enrolled in overseas training. Local training program is yet to be designed based on the M&E Public Disclosure Copy framework for ODA projects currently under finalization. % of users' satisfaction with data from the M&E Percentage Value 80.00 Management system to facilitate new project Date 31-Dec-2014 approval and completion evaluation Comments A local consultant to identify system specifications for the M&E management system has recently been hired. Data on Financial Performance (as of 15-May-2014) Financial Agreement(s) Key Dates Project Ln/Cr/Tf Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Original Closing Date Revised Closing Date P129392 TF-11622 Effective 05-Apr-2012 05-Apr-2012 05-Apr-2012 05-Apr-2015 05-Apr-2015 Disbursements Project Ln/Cr/Tf Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed P129392 TF-11622 Effective USD 0.35 0.35 0.00 0.19 0.16 55.00 Disbursement Graph Public Disclosure Copy Page 3 of 4 The World Bank Report No: ISR14682 Public Disclosure Copy Key Decisions Regarding Implementation During a meeting held on June 12, 2014 of the project TTL with the project coordinating consultant and two of the Steering Committee members from MOF, it was reiterated that despite the delays in project implementation the team will aim to have the M&E framework for ODA-funded projects finalized after reflecting stakeholder comments and to have the system specifications with the decision to buy or develop the M&E software made by August 30, 2014. Meanwhile, the MOF project team agreed to determine the target group to train under the project and look into developing an appropriate training program. There may be additional time required for implementing the remaining project activities. The project team agreed to monitor progress until the end of the year 2014 and then raise the issue with the Bank if deemed necessary at the time. Restructuring History There has been no restructuring to date. Related Projects There are no related projects. Public Disclosure Copy Page 4 of 4