Implementation Approach

Development Gateway recognizes that successful aid management solutions require ongoing support for 2-3 years following implementation to maximize effectiveness and ensure sustainability. The Aid Management Program is therefore implemented over a multi-year period during which Development Gateway provides governments with the tools, knowledge base and training to lay the groundwork for ensuring data quality, system maintenance, and expansion of users over time. A tailored project plan is developed for each country in order to address country-specific challenges and requirements.

The phases of implementation and links to the global aid effectiveness agenda are described in the sections below.

[toggle]Phase 1 - Assessment

During the first phase, Development Gateway evaluates the government’s initial technical and institutional capacity and develops a workplan for implementation and institutional strengthening. Following this assessment, Development Gateway installs a software prototype on a local or government server and provides training for an initial group of users.

[toggle]Phase 2 - Implementation and training

Upon completion of the pilot program, a fully operational version of the software is installed, configured to meet the technical requirements identified in the assessment phase. User training and technical and institutional support begin, and Development Gateway works with government counterparts to define a Data Management Plan that defines administrative roles and responsibilities. In Liberia, for example, Development Gateway assisted in the development of data templates through which donors report expected aid disbursements every quarter.

[toggle]Phase 3 - Institutional strengthening

The final phase focuses on institutionalizing the program through two years of technical support and institutional capacity building. Depending on host country needs, the phase may include regular analyses of aid management practices, refresher training, extending software to line ministries, donors, and provincial governments, integration with other government systems, and knowledge-sharing opportunities.

[toggle]Links to the Aid Effectiveness Agenda

The Aid Management Program increases the transparency of the aid management process, strengthens government ownership, and supports improved alignment of aid with national priorities. It directly addresses the key recommendations of the 2005 Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness in the following ways:

Ownership

Government-owned and led process
Builds government capacity to manage aid
Software is licensed, royalty-free and source-available

Alignment

Financial inputs and outputs can be mapped to national poverty reduction strategies
Standard information exchange format to which donors can align

Harmonization

Enables common arrangements for planning, monitoring and reporting
Provides standardized terminology and classification across governments and donors
Facilitates coordination of donor missions and sharing of analysis

Managing for Results

Provides results-oriented reporting and target monitoring tools
Increases efficiency by streamlining aid management processes
Saves time by facilitating accurate, comprehensive reporting on aid flows, trends, and projects
Reduces administrative costs and duplication of work
Emphasis on ensuring financial, technical, political, and organizational sustainability

Mutual Accountability