HELIO International was responsible for...

monitoring all activities ensuring excellence of performance at all levels of SSN operation and full delivery of vision-based outcomes. The major emphasis required by the Dutch funders was to focus on outputs and outcomes. HELIO prepared a monitoring protocol that detailed the entire monitoring responsibilities of HELIO. Monitors were located in the countries of implementation but were coordinated by a global manager. A mid-project interim evaluation and a final evaluation after the four years was also carried out.

The monitoring process included reviewing the annual activity plans to ensure they complied with the logframe analysis. When HELIO was not satisfied, then the programme managers were required to make the necessary changes. HELIO also had the option to withdraw funding or even recommend cancellation of specific elements, if it was not satisfied with progress of the specific outputs.  This however was not necessary.

Specifically HELIO's role was to monitor and to advise

HELIO monitored:

• SSN project selection criteria setting against international standards
• SSN project development process against criteria and own best practice
• SSN technical outputs against international rules and standards
• SSN results against Log Frame Analysis and Funders" requirements in a qualitative assessment of all outputs and reports

HELIO also advised the Executive Director and Board on managerial and programmatic issues to ensure that the SSN projects met the standards set.

How was the work done?

HELIO International used south-based monitors in Bangladesh, Brazil, Indonesia and South Africa for SSN to monitor progress throughout all stages. Monitors worked with a common methodology, specifically developed and modified for the SSN project. Country monitors worked closely with country teams at all stages of the project development cycle, often resulting in dynamic altering of the projects.

No project went forward until the HELIO monitors were completely satisfied that all criteria were being met satisfactorily. Thus, the monitoring provided a continuous management feedback. This form of monitoring required a "management" orientated approach which is heavily focused on process.

To read more about SSN click here.