Evaluation of the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO File No. 104.A.1.e37 Volume 1 Draft Synthesis Report DMI ASSOCIATES in association with Ticon DCA, Copenhagen DC & ACE-Global 21, rue Longue Lyon, France October 31, 2005 Evaluation of the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO Table of Contents List of Acronyms......................................................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgements..................................................................................................................................................... vi Executive Summary …………………..………...………...............................................................................vii Recommendations ……...………....................................................................................................................... xv I. CONTEXT FOR THE EVALUATION.................................................................................1 1 Introduction ..............................................................................................................................1 1.1 Objectives and Scope................................................................................................................................1 1.2 Conduct of the Evaluation.......................................................................................................................2 1.3 The Synthesis Report................................................................................................................................2 2 Approach and Methodology .....................................................................................................4 2.1 Evaluation Framework and Methods.....................................................................................................4 2.2 Limitations and Constraints.....................................................................................................................7 3 Governance and Financial Resources.......................................................................................8 3.1 Establishment, Mandate and Governance Framework.......................................................................8 3.2 Financial Resources and Changing Sources of Support....................................................................10 4 Programmes and Management............................................................................................... 13 4.1 Strategic Changes in ITC Programmes................................................................................................13 4.2 Corporate Management and Planning..................................................................................................13 4.3 Organisational and Programme Structure ...........................................................................................14 5 External Environment ............................................................................................................17 5.1 Global Trade and Investment Context................................................................................................17 5.2 The Global Development Agenda........................................................................................................18 II. RELEVANCE, PERFORMANCE AND CAPACITY................................................... 21 6 Comparative Advantage and ITC’s Role ................................................................................ 21 6.1 Characteristics and Experience .............................................................................................................22 6.2 Programme Areas, Responsiveness and Coordination......................................................................22 6.3 ITC and the Comparators......................................................................................................................25 6.4 Stakeholder Perspectives........................................................................................................................28 6.5 Current External Environment.............................................................................................................30 6.6 Evaluation Questions..............................................................................................................................30 7 Intervention Strategy...............................................................................................................34 7.1 Overview of the Strategy........................................................................................................................34 7.2 Analysis of the Strategy ..........................................................................................................................37 7.3 Evaluation Questions..............................................................................................................................43 8 Performance of Interventions .................................................................................................46 8.1 ITC’s Interventions.................................................................................................................................46 8.2 Analysis of Intervention Performance.................................................................................................49 8.3 Evaluation Questions..............................................................................................................................58 9 Governance, Accountability & Financing Modalities ............................................................64 9.1 Evolution of Policy Direction and Accountability.............................................................................64 9.2 Financing Modalities and Programme Coordination.........................................................................66 9.3 Evaluation Questions..............................................................................................................................70 10 Corporate Management and Capacity ....................................................................................73 10.1 Operational Management.......................................................................................................................73 10.2 Monitoring and Evaluation....................................................................................................................78 10.3 Results-Based Management ...................................................................................................................79 10.4 Resources and Capacity ..........................................................................................................................80 10.5 Managing Development Partnerships..................................................................................................82 10.6 Evaluation Questions..............................................................................................................................83 i Evaluation of the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO III. BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE......................................................................................88 11 Harmonization and Accountability ........................................................................................88 11.1 An Opportunity for Change ..................................................................................................................88 11.2 Implementing Harmonization...............................................................................................................89 11.3 Strengthening Governance and Accountability..................................................................................91 12 Strengthening Operational Performance................................................................................93 12.1 Managing Change ....................................................................................................................................93 12.2 Implementing Results-Based Management .........................................................................................93 12.3 Enhancing Human Resources...............................................................................................................94 12.4 Improving Cost-Effectiveness ..............................................................................................................95 12.5 Assessing Client Needs and Focusing Products.................................................................................95 12.6 Enhancing Performance of Interventions...........................................................................................96 13 Supporting Trade and Development ......................................................................................98 13.1 Integrating Development Goals............................................................................................................98 13.2 Strengthening In-Country Partnerships...............................................................................................99 13.3 Building Synergies with International Partners.................................................................................101 13.4 How Should ITC Evolve?....................................................................................................................101 BOXES Box 1 Key Evaluation Questions