Management Response

: Policy, Programme and Intergovernmental Division
: 2022 - 2023 , Policy, Programme and Intergovernmental Division (HQ)
: Final Evaluation Second Chance Education and Vocational Learning (SCE) Programme
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: Policy, Programme and Intergovernmental Division
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This evaluation has found that the SCE Programme is a robust model for improving the wellbeing and economic empowerment of the most marginalized women. On this basis, the design, financing and implementation of Phase II is highly recommended.
: Approved
Recommendation: Based on Phase I experiences and future projections, UN Women should update the Programme Theory of Change for Phase II.
Management Response: Ensure that the design of Global SCE scaling-up/phase II programme are informed by the above recommendation with country-level adaptations of the TOC Activity is subject to funding availability. SCE Programme is ending on 31 March 2025 and currently there is no phase II prodoc as funding is not available. The recommendation provided will be incorporated in the new programme. Kindly note that for a global/regional programme, according to UNW guidelines, there is a common TOC with different implementation/workplan for each country. Therefor the adaptation mentioned in the recommendation is not feasible.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Partially Accepted
Thematic Area: Not applicable
Operating Principles: Capacity development
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Ensure that the design of Global SCE scaling-up/phase II programme are informed by the above recommendation with country-level adaptations of the TOC. SCE team with existing SCE pilot phase COs 2025/03 Overdue-Initiated Activity is subject to funding availability. SCE Programme is ending on 31 March 2025 and currently there is no phase II prodoc as funding is not available. The recommendation provided will be incorporated in the new programme. Kindly note that for a global/regional programme, according to UNW guidelines, there is a common TOC with different implementation/workplan for each country. Therefor the adaptation mentioned in the recommendation is not feasible.
Recommendation: UN Women should strengthen the focus of the Programme on marginalized groups with an intersectional approach.
Management Response:
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Not applicable
Operating Principles: Capacity development, Promoting inclusiveness/Leaving no one behind
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Ensure that the design of Global SCE scaling-up/phase II programme are informed by the above recommendation Develop of guidelines to operationalize the intersectional approach in targeting the most marginalized groups. These guidelines can be adapted from the UN Women https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2022-01/Intersectionality-resource-guide-and-toolkit-en.pdf(Pending funding availability) Revise target population including beneficiaries’ profile while developing a new prodoc for phase 2 The new global programme focus will be on crisis context and aligned with the Humanitarian Strategy of UNW SCE team, UNW senior management Chief of Humanitarian) and COs 2025/03 Overdue-Initiated Activity is subject to funding availability
Recommendation: UN Women should integrate a fully expanded socio-ecological approach into the Theory of Change and M&E system.
Management Response:
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Description:
Management Response Category: Partially Accepted
Thematic Area: Not applicable
Operating Principles: Capacity development
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Ensure that the design of SCE phase II will consider enabling conditions at different levels and their interrelations. Application of a socio-ecological model for the phase II identification of stakeholders, and the development of a joint monitoring and learning frameworks SCE team and COs 2025/03 Completed This key action should be considered as concluded as there is not yet any funding availability to enable updating the log frame and implementation beyond in 2025.
Recommendation: UN Women should continue strengthening the strategic roles and contribution of the global level.
Management Response:
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Not applicable
Operating Principles: Capacity development, Alignment with strategy
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Ensure that the design of Global SCE scaling-up/phase II programme are informed by the above recommendation The development of phase II will consider, based on country context, the strengthening of outcome/output on social norms and Key Action Responsible Deadline Status Comments Ensure that the design of Global SCE scaling-up/phase II programme are informed by the above recommendation The development of phase II will consider, based on country context, the strengthening of outcome/output on social norms and linkages with other UNW interventions (pending funding availability) The revised monitoring framework enhanced the measurement of transformative changes, and it will be review through the programme life. The SCE surveys will undergo a last revision to reflect all the learning from the piloting phase. Leaving as a result a perfected set of data collection instruments for a mostly humanitarian phase II of SCE. (DONE) A feminist MEL framework will be developed and will provide guidance on how to utilize the latest version of the SCE surveys, the SCE Monitor Report dashboard and the revised logframe. It will also provide guidance on the recommended collection of qualitative data that is no longer possible to be collected at this stage of the programme. This framework will be completed by the MEL group in consultation with partners. (DONE) The SCE Monitor Report (PowerBi Dashboard) will undergo a last set of upgrades to be fully aligned with the final version of the surveys (DONE) Signature Features brochures for key COs are under production. This will complete the collection of brochures that standardize the model. (DONE) The SCE Foundational Courses and the Mini Courses (vital SCE knowledge products) will be finalized, translated and adapted this year to be ready for piloting. (DONE) SCE team and relevant RO/COs 03/2025 Completed Activities partly subject to funding availability. SCE team and relevant RO/COs 2025/03 Completed Activities partly subject to funding availability.
Recommendation: UN Women should integrate a value for money approach in Programme decision-making, management and M&E.
Management Response:
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Description:
Management Response Category: Partially Accepted
Thematic Area: Not applicable
Operating Principles: Oversight/governance
Organizational Priorities: Culture of results/RBM
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Ensure that the design of Global SCE scaling-up/phase II programme are informed by the above recommendation, value for money combined with LNOB Develop a framework based on value for money of the programme that informs the M&E process (activity is subject to funding availability) SCE Team 2025/03 Completed HA section considered incorporating the value for money approach in the phase 2 proposal development pending availability of funding.
Recommendation: UN Women should leverage capacities and resources from other stakeholders to move to a more efficient and sustainable model.
Management Response:
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Not applicable
Operating Principles: Capacity development
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness, Sustainability
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Consultations with COs for sustainability strategy for phase I initiated and potential partners/initiative that could be leverage for SCE will be considered at the draft SCE phase II programme SCE team with COs 2025/03 Completed Global team and CO shared the SCE model and tools and if interested in developing a project and also transfer the knowledge to local partners.
Recommendation: UN Women needs to enhance the sustainability potential of the Programme.
Management Response:
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Not applicable
Operating Principles: Capacity development
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities, Organizational efficiency
UNEG Criteria: Sustainability
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Sustainability plan and examples from SCE COs under development including engagement with key IPs and government for taking forward SCE (e.g. Mexico and India) - DONE Development of OBA mechanism in India is progressing. In Mexico, the structuring and contracting process finalizes in Q1 2025, and the launch is scheduled for April 2025. SCE team with UNW senior management and COs 2025/03 Completed Each country has planned for transfer or communication of methodology and best practices. Design/develop Innovative financing model designed and developed in two countries (India and Mexico) – as agreed with donor.
Recommendation: UN Women should strengthen the positioning of the Programme and its capacity to attract traditional and new partners.
Management Response:
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Not applicable
Operating Principles: Resource mobilization
Organizational Priorities: Partnership
UNEG Criteria: Sustainability
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Communication efforts continued (through social media and newsletter as well as impact stories at UNW HQ/RO/CO level). Engagement of UNW through SCE model in global for a related to education and learning opportunities ongoing (e.g. UNESCO, ECW, policy paper for Summit of the Future etc.) Build strategic alliances and/or resource mobilisation to sustain key components of the programme, especially in terms of digital inclusion. For instance, partnerships with tech companies implementing the work/methodology of SCE in partnership with UNW, through in-kinds (like in Chile) Explored sustainability effort though direct resources, such as SDG Fund and other funds (like in Chile and India). SCE team with UNW Comms team and COs 2025/03 Completed Conducted SCE roundtable potential partners in Geneva in 2024 and in UAE with BHP support. Shared the SCE model and good practices at global level through Education in Emergencies for a/events and through the partnership with UNESCO and Global platform for gender equality in and through education and also part of the UN partnership agreement (E.g. UNHCR and IOM) Continuing the engagement with private sector division and leverage private sector engagement opportunities including through NatCom.