Voices from the field: 'Is this the last logframe?'

At the very beginning, this is a recurrent question a Results Reporting (RR) expert keeps asking to the desk manager based in an EU Delegation. Getting the ruling logical framework matrix (a.k.a. logframe) of an intervention is utterly a liability during your desk review and it is a requirement before the mission in the field starts. But a RR exercise is not just a matter of getting the last logframe of an EC intervention: it goes beyond that. In this exercise, the RR expert assists the EC desk manager to verify whether the results of an intervention are aligned with the intended purposes and expected targets. A logframe -if used properly-- is a mean to monitor the progress of a project, it is a tool to follow-up its results. These monitoring visits are the true efforts of the EC to support the transparency and accountability in their way of doing businesses.

My first RR exercise was supporting the EU Delegation in Jordan, covering projects in agriculture, industry and civil society among other topics. It was a good opportunity to learn more on how the EC monitors its projects and how to align its projects' indicators with the latest EU RF (Results Framework) indicators. In finding these matches, the RR expert has to pay attention to the small details (double counting of values, cumulative approach) and be very meticulous when selecting a EURF indicator. The good news is a RR expert counts with a Quality Control (QC) who provides support and guidance throughout this process. Also it was vital to count with the understanding and assistance of the desk managers and the focal point at the EU Delegation, who are the main interlocutors and support providers (even troubleshooters!).

More RR exercises knocked on my door but, retroactively, this first RR exercise taught me that the above opening question is mandatory to ask but not the only query a RR should bring into the table. And patience, a lot of patience.