Measuring Achievements of Private Sector Development in ... - DCED

Measuring Achievements of Private Sector Development in Conflict-Affected Environments
I. Introduction
This paper provides guidance for measuring results in conflict affected environments (CAEs) using the
Donor Committee for Enterprise Development (DCED) Standard for Results Measurement 1 . The DCED
Standard is a framework for measuring and managing the results of private sector development
programmes. The guidelines follow the DCED’s definition of CAEs: “countries or regions where there is a
high risk of violent conflict breaking out; that are in the midst of violent conflict; or have recently
emerged from it, including countries classified as ‘post-conflict’”. 2 Definitions for this and other
commonly-used terms are provided in Annex 1, while acronyms and abbreviations are provided in
Annex 2.
Since 2008, the DCED Standard has been implemented by numerous private sector development (PSD)
projects across Africa and Asia. Feedback from practitioners indicates that it helps monitor progress
towards objectives and manage interventions. In complex, rapidly changing environments it is
particularly important for programmes to monitor, learn from and adapt their approach. 3 The emphasis
of the DCED Standard on using monitoring data to improve implementation is thus particularly valuable
in CAEs, supporting the management of complex programmes and reducing the risk of causing harm
through inappropriate interventions. Nevertheless, the challenges of security, data availability, and
staffing have limited the application of the DCED Standard in CAEs to date.
Donors are increasingly dedicating resources towards private sector development in CAEs, recognising
the poor performance of CAEs towards meeting development objectives such as the Millennium
Development Goals. With greater funding, donors and implementers are being called upon to develop
rigorous approaches for results measurement and reporting, in order to demonstrate impact and
accountability. The DCED Standard is widely recognized as representing good practice in results
measurement for PSD programming. Providing guidance in how to apply the Standard in CAEs can
support practitioners to measure, manage and demonstrate results.
II. How to Use these Guidelines
These guidelines are written for donors, project implementers, auditors and consultants who are
applying the DCED Standard in CAEs or considering its use. They are structured around the eight
elements of the DCED Standard. For each component they note the challenges that affect application in
CAEs, provide guidance on mitigation strategies and refer to additional resources. Resources listed in
blue text link to a downloadable resource, and a full list of guidance documents are provided in Annex 3.
Guidance is provided on how to structure a Standard-compliant results measurement system that, at a
minimum, avoids exacerbating conflict. For practitioners wishing to use private sector development
1 For more information about the DCED Standard, please refer to:
http://www.enterprise-development.org/page/measuring-and-reporting-results.
2 The Donor Committee for Enterprise Development, Private sector development in conflict affected
environments: Key Resources for Practitioners, 2010. The CAE definition is understood to also encompass the
concept of fragility.
3 Hummelbrunner, Richard and Jones, Harry, A guide for planning and strategy development in the face of
complexity, 2013, Overseas Development Institute.
Practical Guidelines for Implementing the DCED Standard. Version 2, July 2013
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