North Africa is strikingly different from other regions where CSSF operates. It is considered the least integrated region in the world, with significant geopolitical and environmental differences between individual countries despite the common language of Arabic and common problems of demography and instability. All five countries in the region experience – to greater or lesser degrees – insecurity, significant economic challenges, trafficking and criminal networks.
The UK wants to know whether CSSF investments in North Africa have been worthwhile: what has been achieved and where investment should be made in the years to come. In July 2018, Itad, with our partner Altai, was contracted to deliver MEL support to CSSF North Africa.
Our role
Our purpose is to support the CSSF in North Africa to strengthen the generation and use of high-quality, timely evidence underpinning UK achievements in the region. This will provide accountability by demonstrating the CSSF’s contribution to UK objectives, will inform effective decision making, and will contribute to the global evidence base on what works and why when tackling conflict, instability and insecurity in fragile contexts in the region.
Our approach
We are using a nested evaluation strategy, consisting of three levels of MEL support: programme, thematic, and portfolio. We work closely with CSSF programme teams in the region to build their MEL capacity. In addition, we are conducting a series of evaluations of the CSSF’s work in particular thematic areas. Finally, we are, over a three-year period, conducting an evaluation of the CSSF North Africa portfolio and its strategic effect.
Contact George Bowles (george.bowles@itad.com) if you would like to discuss this project.
