Management Response

: Kenya
: 2023 - 2025 , Kenya (CO)
: End-line evaluation for the Japan-funded LEAP III Programme 2021 -2023
:
: Kenya
:

Overall, the findings of the evaluation, recommendations, good practices, and lessons learned are critical towards informing the Women Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action (WPS&HA) programming work of UN Women Kenya Country Office and the ESAR region. The findings of the evaluation are drawn from different stakeholders including Japan as the donor; Government of Kenya; UN Women; UN agencies; Implementing Partners; and the project beneficiaries. An Evaluation Reference Group confirmed and validated the findings of the study and the proposed recommendations. The lessons learned, and the findings will inform project planning and implementation of related WPS&HA and other programmes by the UN Women Kenya Country Office.
: Approved
Recommendation: 1. UN Women to engage the Government of Japan, other Development Partners, and implementing partners to mobilize financial resources and partnerships for a successor project to expand the scope to neighboring communities including non-refugee host communities (in Turkana Township and Garissa Township) to ensure benefits bring the neighbouring communities to the same level as the targeted refugees and host communities.
Management Response: UN Women accepts this recommendation. UN Women and the Government of Japan appreciates the success of the project and are curently discussing on a successor phase. Following consultation with the Embassy of Japan, UN Women have developed a Concept Note and submitted it to the embassy. Once approved, implementation will cover the Arid and Semi Arid counties of Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo and Wajir counties that are face similar challenges with Turkana and Garissa, thereby expanding project reach/scope. Further, UN Women is already implementing projects in the hard-to-reach locations line with the Leaving No One Behind (LNOB) principle as all of the Country Office's interventions are focused on reaching to people in Kenya at risk of being left behind - particularly all women and girls, all children and youth, all people in the ASAL counties and in informal urban settlements. UN Women will ensure that future resource mobilization efforts will pitch on value and impact of the intervention.
More detail
Description: i. Create a compelling pitch: Develop a persuasive pitch that effectively communicates the value and impact of the next phase of the project. ii. Identify other potential funding sources including government grants, foundations, corporate sponsorships. iii. Develop a fundraising plan: Create a comprehensive fundraising plan that outlines strategic results areas of UN Women iv. Develop a compelling grant proposal.
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Not applicable
Operating Principles: Capacity development, Promoting inclusiveness/Leaving no one behind, Resource mobilization
Organizational Priorities: Humanitarian action
UNEG Criteria: Sustainability, Impact
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
As UN Women develops the proposals for the successor phase, it should include expansion plans of the project to include other marginalized communities and counties. Head of Programme with support of WPS and EVAWG Programme teams. 2025/05 Ongoing
Recommendation: 2. Implementing Partners to further invest in male engagement in future interventions to complement and sustain progress on GEWE attained through the LEAP III project on tackling socio-cultural norms, practices, and beliefs that limit the empowerment of women and girls in refugee camps and host communities.
Management Response: UN Women partly accepts this recommendation. UN Women is not able to influence implementing partners fund raising efforts and impelmentation plans. However, UN Women will continue to work with the implementing partner, specifically, Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK), through a new UN Women agreement will further invest in male engagement to complement and sustain progress on GEWE results attained through the LEAP III project. Male engagement proved to be a successful strategy in tackling socio-cultural norms, practices, and beliefs that limit the empowerment of women and girls in refugee camps and host communities.
More detail
Description: Mobilize more resources to continue partnerships with implementing partners employing proven strategeis to achieve results.
Management Response Category: Partially Accepted
Thematic Area: Not applicable
Operating Principles: Alignment with strategy, Promoting inclusiveness/Leaving no one behind
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities, Humanitarian action, Engaging men and boys
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness, Relevance, Gender equality
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Replicate and upscale strategies that have proved to be effective such as male engagement; awareness creation; advocacy and lobbying for implementation of the normative framework. WPS Programme team- Teamleader in consultation with the Head of Programmes and EVAWG teams. 2024/08 Ongoing
Recommendation: 3. Private Sector partners and UN Women to pursue further partnerships to leverage skills, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities for women and girls in refugee and host communities.
Management Response: UN Women is engaging the private Sector partners particularly CFAO (Toyota Kenya) to leverage on project successes. UN Women is working on an MOU with CFAO Kenya to run the Garage established in Turkana County. When operationalized, the partnership will ensure that skills, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities are availed for women and girls in refugee and host communities.
More detail
Description: Engage with the private sector partners.
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Not applicable
Operating Principles: Capacity development, Alignment with strategy, Promoting inclusiveness/Leaving no one behind
Organizational Priorities: Partnership, Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness, Relevance, Gender equality
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
UN Women to continues strengthening the partnerships it has established with the private sector to ensure continued gains on successes. Head of Programme with support of WPS and EVAWG Programme team leads. 2024/08 Ongoing
Recommendation: 4. UN Women to review existing modalities for funds disbursement to implementing partners to address reported delays for smooth implementation of future interventions and efficient enhanced and timely delivery of results.
Management Response: UN Women partly accepts thsi recommendation as implementation is guided by the Global UN Women's Financial Management Policies and Procedures. UN Women will continue exploring ways to fasttrack funds disbursement to IPs in line with UN Womens's the policies.
More detail
Description: It is recommended that UN Women to review existing modalities for funds disbursement.
Management Response Category: Partially Accepted
Thematic Area: Not applicable
Operating Principles: Oversight/governance
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities, Humanitarian action
UNEG Criteria: Efficiency
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
UN Women to continue engaging internally with the operations team and the HQ team so as to provide feedback aimed at improving the operational efficiency particularly fast tracking funds disbursement. Head of Programme with support of WPS and EVAWG Programme team leads. 2024/08 Ongoing