Key actors in national M&E systems

There are a number of key actors within a national M&E system who influence the supply and demand for M&E evidence and the enabling environment. It is important to understand who these actors are and their roles.

This includes key government actors at national, sub-national and local levels, such as finance ministries, planning authorities, line agencies, and the primary government agency or entity driving M&E. It also includes key actors outside government, such as evaluation associations, universities, NGOs and private sector consultants.

Within government, different actors often have responsibility for different M&E functions. Outcome monitoring is often overseen by national statistical offices, which conduct censuses and surveys and focus on national level monitoring of development indicators, such as those set by the SDGs and national development plans. At times, outcome monitoring is supported by parliamentary oversight committees (depending on the form of government).

Implementation monitoring functions are often overseen by central agencies, such as ministries of finance or ministries of planning, and support the implementation monitoring functions, ensuring that the efficiency and, to some extent, the effectiveness of programs and policies are assessed and, ideally, that results are linked to decision-making processes. These agencies are, at times, supported by the work of supreme audit institutions.

Evaluation functions are often established inside a president's/prime minister's office or a ministry of planning or finance, although they can also exist in other centres of government entities. These units aim to understand processes of implementation as well as the changes brought about by government programs.

Key actors within governnment

  • National coordination bodies

    National coordination bodies in M&E systems are centralised entities, such as committees or Councils, established by governments or organisations to guide, supervise, and facilitate the process of monitoring and evaluating public policies and progra

  • Central evaluation units

    Central evaluation units are government agencies typically housed within a central government agency, such as the Planning Ministry, the Finance Ministry or the Office of the President or Prime Minister.

  • Program or project monitoring units

    Program or project monitoring units are dedicated units within an organisation or government specifically tasked with overseeing the progress, performance, and successful implementation of particular programs or projects.

  • Local government and subnational entities

    Administrative bodies or units that operate at a regional, municipal, or local level. They carry out governance and administrative functions specific to their jurisdiction, including M&E tasks.

  • Parliamentary committees

    Parliamentary committees are groups or sub-groups within a parliamentary or legislative body that focus on specific areas or topics, like budget, defence, or M&E. They review, recommend, or oversee actions and policies in their designated areas.

  • Planning authorities

    Planning authorities are entities that are responsible for setting out the vision, strategy, and guidelines for development and growth. This can encompass urban, economic, or even M&E planning at the national or regional level.

  • Finance ministries

    Finance ministries and governmental departments are responsible for managing the finances of a country or state. This includes overseeing the budget, taxation, and public expenditure.

  • Line ministries

    Line ministries and departments are specific governmental departments or ministries that focus on particular sectors or areas, such as health, education, or transportation.

  • Champions for M&E

    Champions are individuals or entities who passionately advocate for, promote, and drive the cause of M&E within an organisation or government.

  • Audit institutions

    Audit institutions are bodies that assess the efficiency, effectiveness, and use of resources in governmental programs. They often drive behaviours in M&E by highlighting gaps, ensuring accountability, and recommending improvements.

  • National statistical offices

    A national statistical office is a government agency responsible for collecting, analysing, and disseminating statistical data on various aspects of the country's economy, population, and society.

Key actors outside government

  • Evaluation societies and associations

    Evaluation societies and associations play a significant role in strengthening national M&E systems.

  • Other professional associations

    National M&E systems can also benefit from engagement with professional associations that include social researchers, performance improvement professionals, economists, auditors, ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) professionals and implement

  • Policy analysis units and think tanks

    Policy analysis units and similar organizations are research bodies or institutions that study public policies and offer insights and recommendations. They can play a role in interpreting M&E findings and suggesting policy adjustments.

  • Academic and research institutions

    Universities and centers can contribute to M&E through research, capacity strengthening activities, and the development of methodologies.

  • NGOs and civil society organisations

    NGOs can play various roles in a national M&E system – such as sitting on evaluation steering committees or being involved in the selection of evaluations for evaluation plans/agendas.

  • Development partners

    Development partners, including UN agencies, development banks, and bilateral international development agencies of national governments, often hold pivotal roles in national M&E systems across countries.

  • Public communication and dissemination units

    Communication units are often responsible for communicating M&E findings to the public, ensuring transparency, and promoting the use of evaluation results in policy-making.

  • Media

    Media channels (such as newspapers, TV, radio, and online platforms) can play an important role in disseminating M&E results, shaping public opinion, and holding entities accountable.

Questions to ask

The following questions draw from the GEI's MESA diagnostic assessment tool:

  • Is there a central body responsible for monitoring and/or evaluation?

  • Are there decentralised bodies responsible for monitoring and/or evaluation?

  • What is the legal basis for these entities?

  • Does the central evaluation unit set standards and provide support for evaluation across the government?

  • What are the roles of different actors at national and subnational levels in the planning, budgeting, and M&E systems (including communities, if relevant)?

  • Are there individual M&E champions at the country's political and senior administrative levels (for example, directors or permanent secretaries)?

  • With respect to parliamentary roles, do laws, regulations, or policies make linkages between (results) monitoring and decision-making in parliament?

  • Do laws, regulations, or policies stipulate linkages between evaluation and decision-making in parliament?

  • Are there research structures in government departments that could be built on – for example, for evaluations?

  • What is parliament's role in the planning, budgeting and M&E systems?

  • What does a power analysis of the main actors reveal?

Global Evaluation Initiative (2022). MESA Guidance Note: Diagnostic Tool for a Monitoring and Evaluation Systems Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.globalevaluationinitiative.org/mesa

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