Assessment of Challenges in Monitoring and Evaluation of Food Security Project Implementation in Somali Regional State in Case of Environmental Protection and Rural-Land Administration: Examining the Role of Data Management System

Abstract

Project management, particularly long lasting food security related developmental projects, require monitoring and evaluation. While doing this, data system-based monitoring and evaluation system is highly in deficit  posing several obstacles to projects successful execution. This study sought to assess challenges of M & E and the role data management system can play in food security related developmental projects implemented by Somali Regional State Environmental Protection and Rural land Administration. Other objectives of the study include top management support, M & E tools and approaches and human capacity and examine the role of data management system in averting this challenges. The study used a quantitative research methodology and a descriptive research design. The study targeted a population of 40 employees of Somali Regional State Environmental Protection and Rural land Administration and 37 respondents were considered. The study was conducted on seven ongoing projects and six respondents were selected from each project. They were few in number, thus a census survey was used. A questionnaire was used in the study to gather primary data. Five respondents were given questionnaires as part of a pilot test to evaluate the validity and dependability of the data instruments. The instrument’s validity were determined through the help of expert judgment who assessed the instrument and found out it answered the phenomenon under study. The SPSS statistical program was used to sort, clean, and code the collected data in preparation for data analysis. Tables were used to display the results after they were evaluated using means, standard deviations, percentages, and frequencies. The findings indicated that the organization allocates insufficient funds to M&E activities (less than 5-10% of overall projects budget) and did not ensure a separate budget to M & E activities. The findings also indicated that there is no sophisticated data management system in place to monitor and evaluate the projects.  Funds allocated for M & E were not timely provided and specifically used for M&E activities and the organization did not ensure there is independency in the budgetary decisions for the monitoring and evaluation unit and utilization of the funds and the necessary data systems to ease the monitoring work are not in place. The result of the study revealed that top management gives little commitment to M & E and developing efficient data management system in that M&E activities are not carried out within schedule and did not ensure that staff are trained on M&E regularly. The study recommends to make M and E activities considered as core activities and to develop state-of-the-art data management system.