Grant Management Solutions

GMS teams provide support in helping grantees meet Global Fund requirements in monitoring and reporting.

Teams assist Principal Recipients (PRs) in reviewing performance indicators, designing systems for data collection and analysis, developing plans and procedures for monitoring implementation and reporting, and building the capacity of staff to manage the process.

GMS teams facilitate the implementation of monitoring and reporting tools as appropriate. For example, GMS assists countries to conduct workshops using the Monitoring and Evaluation Systems Strengthening Tool (MESST), a self-assessment tool recommended by the Global Fund in the development of M&E action plans for each grant.

The project is now working with Country Coordinating Mechanisms (CCMs) and PRs to introduce “grant dashboards” to improve CCM oversight. This exciting new information summary tool presents periodic programmatic, financial, and management indicators for individual grants in a 1-3 page format. Grant dashboards alert CCMs to signs of flagging or outstanding performance, enabling CCMs to focus oversight where it will be most useful.

Depending on the country, M&E missions could include:

1. Facilitation of Monitoring and Evaluation Systems Strengthening Tool (MESST) workshops and development of an M&E Action Plan.
   
2. Pre-signature support for finalizing the performance framework.
3. Reviewing indicators that will be used for grant performance and reporting.
4. Updating and modifying indicators and targets, at Phase 2, RCC, or grant consolidation stages.
   
5. Assessing and strengthening current M&E systems.
6. Helping the PR lead a self-assessment of M&E procedures already in place.
7. Developing an overall M&E plan.
8. Clarification of sub-recipient reporting channels, procedures, and formats to satisfy quarterly or semi-annual reporting requirements.
9. Capacity building of PR and sub-recipients to complete required reports, including preparation of training materials and training of master trainers.
10. Capacity building of CCMs (in collaboration with CCM consultants) to improve oversight.
11. Support with implementing Enhanced Financial Reporting and improving understanding of performance-based financing.
12. Harmonization of Global Fund reporting with national reporting under the Three Ones Principle.
    

Global Fund grants are performance-based, and monitoring and reporting are key to both the smooth operation of Global Fund grants as well as documentation of reaching targets and achieving objectives. Monitoring is not only important to meet Global Fund requirements, it is vital to making informed programmatic and policy decisions.