Afghanistan Aid Program Performance Report 2016-17dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/Documents/afghanista… · Web viewAfghanistan remains one of the poorest countries in the world,

AID PROGRAM PERFORMANCE REPORT 2016-17AfghanistanSeptember 2017

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KEY MESSAGESThis report summarises the performance of Australia’s aid program in Afghanistan from July 2016 to June 2017 against the Afghanistan Aid Investment Plan (2015-18). Overall performance of the aid program has improved, with two out of three objectives now rated on-track. However, this is against a context of worsening security which is affecting the aid program at all levels. At the investment level, Australia’s aid to Afghanistan remains highly relevant and effective, but security-driven constraints are having an impact on its efficiency and our ability to monitor and evaluate. Gender performance has improved but there is still scope for enhancement of gender equality measures.

CONTEXT Afghanistan remains one of the poorest countries in the world, affected by widespread vulnerability to poverty, natural disasters and protracted conflict. Growth has slowed considerably in recent years (1.5 per cent in 20151) and current IMF estimates of 3.1 per cent2 growth are not sufficient to sustain poverty reduction in a population with 2.7 per cent growth3. Afghanistan is heavily dependent on international donors to finance its budget, including security costs, and to ensure progress and preserve fragile gains. This enduring fiscal gap is a defining challenge for Afghanistan’s ‘transition decade’. Australia, alongside other international donors, contributes vital resources to Afghanistan’s rebuilding efforts, but Afghanistan is likely to remain aid dependent for some time. Afghanistan is one of the most difficult environments in which Australia delivers aid. Following a large truck bomb detonated in Kabul’s Semi-Secure Zone on 31 May 2017, security restriction on movements in Kabul and temporary reductions in international staff presence curtailed normal donor operations.Nearly two thirds of the country’s 34 million people are aged 25 or under and life expectancy at birth is 60.4 years4. Literacy rates in Afghanistan remain among the lowest in the world, estimated at 31 per cent of the adult population5. Female literacy rates average 17 per cent, but have been reported as low as 1.6 per cent in rural southern provinces6. Despite these statistics, progress has been made against key development indicators. Nearly nine million students now attend primary school, with girls comprising one third of the total, compared to just one million students in 2002, all of whom where boys7. The number of high school graduates is expected to double from 225,000 in 2014 to 451,000 in 20198. Notwithstanding these gains, Afghanistan continues to rank near the bottom of UNDP’s Gender Inequality Index. 9 Violence against women is endemic and deeply ingrained in Afghan society. Girls, on average, attend school for less than half the number of years than boys10. The maternal mortality rate is one of the highest in the world11, with some recent data suggesting it has increased as a result of conflict-related closure of health facilities. Slow economic growth is compounded by low women’s labour force 1 The World Bank, ‘Afghanistan Development Update, April 2016’.2 International Monetary Fund, ‘Regional Economic Outlook: Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, May 2017’.3 The World Bank, ‘Afghanistan Development Update’, May 2017’. 4 The United Nations Children’s Fund, ‘Afghanistan Statistics, December 2013’.5 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, ‘Enhancement of Literacy in Afghanistan Program, 2017’.6 Ibid.7 The World Bank, ‘The World Bank in Afghanistan, Overview, May 2017’. 8 Afghanistan Ministry of Education, ‘Afghanistan National Education for All Review Report, 2015.9 United Nations Development Programme, ‘Afghanistan Human Development Report, 2016’.10 Girls, on average, attend school for less than half the number of years than boys11 United Nations Population Fund, ‘State of Afghanistan’s Midwifery, 2014’.

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participation1, and this shows little prospect of improvement in the short term, limiting opportunity for women’s economic empowerment.President Ashraf Ghani’s power-sharing National Unity Government (NUG) entered its third year, following its formation in September 2014 after tightly contested presidential elections. With international support through to 2020 confirmed at the 2016 Brussels Ministerial Conference on Afghanistan and the NATO Leaders Summit in Warsaw, the NUG continued to make incremental progress on its reform agenda to provide basic yet sustainable security and other services to the Afghan people. However, its capacity to do so was severely limited by internal friction and the security environment, which significantly deteriorated in 2016-17. In September 2016, the NUG signed a peace with the political and paramilitary group Hezb-i-Islami (HIG) – Afghanistan’s first major peace agreement since 2001. Afghanistan has scheduled presidential elections in 2019, following parliamentary elections in June 2018. Given the difficulty of the 2014 elections political uncertainty will increase in the lead up to 2019.In 2015, after more than a decade of military operations, the international community handed back the lead for security to the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF). The ANDSF continues to build its capacity to fight the insurgency and remains committed to working with the international community to strengthen its capability. Following our commitment at the 2016 NATO Summit in Warsaw to extend our troop presence to 2020, in May 2017 Australia announced it would increase our deployment in Afghanistan to around 300 personnel. Civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict in Afghanistan, with the United Nations reporting record numbers of civilians being internally displaced (660,672), injured (7,920) and killed (3,498) due to conflict in 2016, including a record number of child casualties (3,512)2. Additionally, the return of over one million Afghans from Pakistan and other neighbouring countries overwhelmed the Afghan Government and humanitarian partner capacity. The United Nations predicts continued significant numbers of returns in 2017. Almost one third of the national population, 9.3 million people, are now in need of humanitarian assistance – a 13 per cent increase from 2016.3 Australia remains committed to Afghanistan’s development. While we are a medium-sized donor in Afghanistan, we have provided more than $1.26 billion in official development assistance (ODA) to the country since 2001. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Development Cooperation between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan 2017-2020 was signed during President Ghani’s state visit to Australia in April 2017. The MoU establishes the shared vision of the Governments of Australia and Afghanistan to work together to build a stronger, stable and more self-reliant Afghanistan. The agreement reaffirms mutual commitments made at the 2016 Brussels Conference, including Australia’s commitment to maintain our $80 million annual aid program to 2020 and Afghanistan’s commitment to progress electoral and security reform, tackle corruption and uphold human rights, especially for women and children. The MoU reaffirms the objectives in the Aid Investment Plan for Afghanistan (2015-18), which retain their relevance:

– objective 1: supporting the Afghan Government to maintain economic growth and institute more effective and accountable governance;

– objective 2: empowering women and girls by addressing barriers to their social, political and economic participation; and

1 19 per cent, one of the lowest in the world, World Bank 2016 https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS?end=2016&locations=AF&start=2016&view=bar

2 United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, ‘Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict Report, 2016’.3 United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, ‘Humanitarian Needs Overview, 2017’.

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https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS?end=2016&locations=AF&start=2016&view=bar

https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS?end=2016&locations=AF&start=2016&view=bar

– objective 3: building resilience and supporting at-risk populations, including through the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Australia, alongside other donors, supports the new Afghanistan National Peace and Development Framework (ANPDF) 2017-2021 as a five-year strategic plan.

EXPENDITUREIn 2016-17 Australia provided $86.9 million in Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Afghanistan – making it Australia’s fourth largest bilateral aid program. This makes Australia a medium sized donor in the country, with the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Japan and the European Union among the leading contributors (see Table 1 below for most recent comparison).Table 1: Top ten donor expenditure in Afghanistan 2015 (USD)1

United

State

s

German

y

United

King

dom

Japan

EU In

stitutio

ns

Swed

en

Cana

da

Austr

alia

Norway

Denmark

$0$200,000,000$400,000,000$600,000,000$800,000,000

$1,000,000,000$1,200,000,000$1,400,000,000$1,600,000,000$1,800,000,000$2,000,000,000$1,791,000,0

00

$446,000,000$396,000,000$352,000,000$276,000,000$120,000,000$116,000,000$114,000,000$104,000,000$87,000,000

To maximise value for money in an exceptionally challenging environment, Australia’s funding is delivered through pooled funding mechanisms, in line with the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States and aid effectiveness principles, and niche bilateral areas where we can add the most value. Table 2: Total Australian ODA Expenditure in FY 2016-17 by AIP objectiveObjective $ million % of total ODA

Bilateral*

Objective 1: supporting the Afghan Government to achieve economic growth and institute more effective and accountable governance

47.07 54.2%

Objective 2: empowering women and girls by addressing barriers to their social, political and economic participation

7.78 9.0%

Objective 3: building resilience and supporting at-risk populations

29.14 33.5%

Other 0.52 0.6%Sub-Total Bilateral 84.5 97.2%

1 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), ‘Aid at a glance’ figures for 2015. All amounts are in USD.@DFAT

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Regional and Global 0.9 1.0%Other Government Departments 1.5 1.7%Total ODA Expenditure 86.9 100.0%

*The bilateral expenditure breakdown is provided in Table 3 below.

Table 3: Bilateral Investment Expenditure in FY 2016-17 (total = $84.5 million)

OtherContribution to United Nations Mine Action Service

ACIAR Afghanistan Agricultural Research PortfolioAustralia Afghanistan Community Resilience Scheme

Humanitarian Action in AfghanistanCARE - Empowerment through EducationEnding Violence Against Women Program

Institutionalizing the Survey of the Afghan PeopleFragility and Conflict Research Partnerships

Institute for State EffectivenessAfghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund

0 10000000 20000000 30000000 40000000 50000000519232.74

$410,000.00$1,846,430.00

$7,882,367.64

$19,000,000.00

25000005281264.13

4000005000001160000

45014706.81

PROGRESS TOWARDS AIP OBJECTIVES

OBJECTIVE 1Supporting the Afghan Government to achieve economic growth and institute more effective and accountable governance

This objective is rated Amber . The conflict in Afghanistan has implications for its state-building agenda in which Australia takes part. Government reform efforts have been slow to take hold and many large projects are seemingly only arresting decline. Consistent with good practice for fragile and conflict-affected states, about 60 per cent of Australian aid is delivered ‘on budget’, through multi donor trust funds. Australian contributions are a small part of a complex situation, and we have limits to our ability to influence economic growth and effective governance against this background.Australian aid under this objective is delivered mainly through the World-Bank administered Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) and the UNDP-managed Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan (LOTFA). We also supported critical reforms through the Institute for State Effectiveness (ISE).

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Outcome 1: Key Ministries in the Afghan Government have improved capacity and incentives to deliver targeted government services

Australia’s investment against this outcome is primarily delivered through DFAT support to the ARTF, which provides on-budget financing to the Government of Afghanistan to deliver activities in line with National Unity Government (NUG) priorities. Through the ARTF, Australia is able to support government development priorities and programs throughout Afghanistan. While we are not directly implementing the programs, Australia actively participates in and influences Fund decisions in key governance forums. An independent review planned for this reporting period was delayed due to Bank timelines, so we rely on the Bank’s self-assessment which provides comprehensive output reporting but lacks an overall sense of performance of the ARTF as a whole. This contributes to the Amber rating for this objective.

» Benchmark: scorecard indicators for the ARTF improve or are maintained from 2015 ratings.

This benchmark was met as the ARTF continued to meet many indicators in the 2016 performance scorecard, both in terms of project and program level outputs, and operational effectiveness. Under Pillar III (ARTF Operational Effectiveness/Quality of Portfolio) seven indicators were assessed as being on track, three slightly off track and one lacked data. The World Bank exceeded the percentage of active projects implemented, and showed high rates of funding disbursement. While two of the off track indicators relate to gender mainstreaming in results monitoring, the World Bank has exceeded the percentage of portfolio projects with Gender Focal Point staff and the percentage of portfolio projects which include technical assistance on gender issues and gender supervision in implementation. The ARTF made some progress under its results-based performance program, the Incentive Program. This provides additional incentive funding when reform targets are met. Reforms are in the areas of customs, fiscal reform, performance audit, tax, and salary payments. Recent reporting suggests the Incentive Program is an effective part of ARTF, although progress has been delayed by lack of government clarity over priority reforms.

» Benchmark: commence implementation of new activity for PFM support

This benchmark was partly achieved. A new program did not proceed as Australia consolidated engagement with fiscal reform through funding to the Institute of State Effectiveness (ISE). ISE is facilitating a program of national accountability for public finances and providing advisory input on strategic infrastructure to help deliver the Government’s reform agenda. The strength of this small investment is in providing flexible technical advice to the Afghan Government. It is, however, built on personal relationships, which could shift with changes to the political context.Outcome 2: The Afghan Government is better able to deliver government ser-vices through its National Priority Programs (NPPs)

» Benchmark: The new 2015 Mutual Accountability Framework is monitoring progress against mutual commitments, supporting the Afghan Government’s reform efforts, and coordinating donor efforts is strengthened from Australia’s participation in the 5+3 group

This benchmark was met. Australia continued to deliver over 50 per cent of our aid through government systems and 80 per cent aligned to National Priority Programs (NPPs), as agreed in the SMAF, the successor mutual accountability framework for donor support to Afghanistan. Australia’s $25 million funding to ARTF in 2016-17 and $20 million contribution to a new Economic Infrastructure Preparation Facility established under the ARTF enabled us to provide 53 per cent of our bilateral funding

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on budget. Australia continued to marshal donor efforts towards better coordination through participation in the 5+3 group1. The ARTF supported the Afghan Government to deliver services in line with its NPPs. The ARTF 2016 Annual Scorecard reported that progress was achieved in most sec-tors, including agriculture, health and education, and across most indicators, while other areas recorded slower gains than expected, or reversals in progress (education and employment, in particular). Eighty-eight per cent of ARTF projects were self-as-sessed to be performing at satisfactory levels (we are seeking additional validation), and the World Bank increased its disbursement rate to 47 per cent. Key achievements reported in the 2016 ARTF Scorecard include2:

– ARTF benefited approximately 9.3 million people for all projects (excluding the National Solidarity Program), with 40 per cent female;

– In agriculture, 7.6 million people were provided access to irrigation (exceeding the target of 1.7 million by 2017), including 48 per cent female;

– In health, the System Enhancement for Health in Transition project increased number of births by skilled attendance to 732,248, well above the target of 566,683.

– Under the Second Education Quality Improvement Program, 9 million girls and boys were enrolled in basic education, with 39 per cent female.

LOTFA is the principal mechanism through which Australia provides the ODA-eligible portion of funding to meet its annual USD100 million commitment to sustainment of the Afghan National Security and Defense Forces. It is highly relevant as a contribution to providing basic security and stability. Since 2015, Australia’s USD20 million annual contribution to LOTFA has been earmarked to the Support for Payroll Management (SPM) program, which focusses on developing the capacity of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MoIA) to independently manage payroll-related operations and functions. In addition to funding police salaries, the SPM component of LOTFA aims to restructure and improve the payroll systems for the Afghan National Police. Results over the re-porting period show the SPM project has continued to make some progress but there remain serious questions over whether the goal of full transition to Afghanistan’s Min-istry of Internal Affairs (MoIA) can be achieved by the end of 2017. LOTFA’s 2016 Aid Quality Check showed unsatisfactory effectiveness due to poor dis-bursement and implementation progress and lack of evidence for achievements. Aus-tralian funding was earmarked against SPM but as LOTFA is a pooled mechanism our contribution is judged by performance of the overall program. Improvements in the coverage of Electronic Fund Transfer of police salaries in 2016 (to 89 per cent), while steady, were below the performance benchmark target of 100 per cent for the year. A capacity assessment at the end of 2016 revealed that MoIA did not meet donor condi-tions for full transition of payroll management. This was a critical milestone for LOTFA and the Afghan Government and donors agreed to extend the SPM project by another 12 months to December 2017, to allow more time before handing over management of salary payments to the MoIA. Australia has increased efforts to engage with fund-ing partners in Kabul and through capitals to improve performance of LOTFA.

1 The 5+3 donor group is composed of the European Union, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States (the "5") and Australia, Canada and the Nordics sub-group (the "3"). The Nordics sub-group is composed of Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.2 The World Bank, ‘ARTF Scorecard 2016’ (draft version)

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LOTFA is also the only active investment in Afghanistan that is unsatisfactory on gender. While the SPM program has a small number of gender-related activities, re-porting is poor and UNDP lacks capacity to explore further options. In 2016, the SPM program continued to update Web-Based Electronic Payment System data to enable capture of gender-disaggregated data, which helps to show how many male and fe-male police are paid during each pay cycle. The SPM project also supported the MOIA in modifying attendance books and leave request forms, which now include gender-based leave considerations (including for maternity leave). Under SPM, the UNDP is working with MoIA to encourage more training for women in payroll management. Our efforts to improve LOTFA’s performance on gender include advocacy for thorough gender analysis to be done in 2017-18, to inform a more strategic and effective ap-proach as LOTFA expands support to the broader justice sector.

OBJECTIVE 2Empowering women and girls by addressing barriers to their social, political and economic participation

This objective is rated Green. The situation for women in Afghanistan continues to be precarious. Against this backdrop, Australia continues to prioritise gender equality, adapting programming to respond to security and other challenges. This objective’s Green rating is a reflection of satisfactory performance of DFAT’s investments despite the deteriorating environment throughout Afghanistan. It is an improvement from the Amber rating in 2015-16, based on good investment performance and strong progress in mainstreaming. Australia remains committed to pursuing better outcomes for women and girls in Afghanistan, while acknowledging that the context is one of the most challenging in which we deliver aid, and is declining. We will monitor the sector and context closely to manage the risks of working on sensitive gender issues in Afghanistan. Outcome 1: Women and girls in target districts access social services specific to their needs

Australia’s Ending Violence Against Women (EVAW) program supports national efforts to reduce the number of women who experience violence and better meet the needs of survivors. The program is delivered through five key partners: the Afghan Women’s Network (AWN); United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC); United Nations Women (UN Women); and The Asia Foundation (TAF). A midterm review1 confirmed that, despite some setbacks, the pro-gram has continued to make progress towards its goal of a sustained reduction in viol-ence against women (VAW). The review recommended discontinuing a reporting hot-line, which has been reflected in the design of a second phase of the program.

» Benchmark: 1300 women and girl survivors of violence receive services

During the reporting period the program met its performance benchmark, with TAF alone facilitating counselling of 1,685 VAW cases. UNFPA also trained 250 police of-ficers, 75 judges and prosecutors, and 50 governmental and NGO staff on gender-based violence prevention and response. UN Women provided essential services for 1 The review was done in the last reporting period but was used to inform the 2016 Aid Quality Check, the basis of this assessment.

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VAW survivors through providing financial and technical support. From January 2016 to December 2016, 1045 women and their children received 24-hour free safe refuge, legal aid, healthcare, vocational training, psycho-social services, mediation, family counselling and support for reunification with their families. The program supported and helped build the capacity of two local organisations: AWN and AIHRC. With Australia’s support the AWN strengthened its national advocacy ef-forts on EVAW, peace and security issues; piloted a Young Women’s Leadership Pro-gram to help build a cohort of new, young women leaders in Afghanistan; and expan-ded and strengthened women’s networks across the country to increase opportunities for rural and urban Afghan women to influence and contribute to decision-making. Complementing this, Australia supports the AIHRC to monitor, promote and protect hu-man rights. The AIHRC is a strong advocate of eliminating VAW, with a dedicated Com-missioner for Women’s Rights.

» Benchmark: An additional 900 police, law and justice, and government officials trained.

This benchmark was achieved, with overall 1665 police and justice officials trained on gender based violence case management and the application of the EVAW law. In 2016-17, Australia’s support to CARE’s Empowerment through Education program helped improve education opportunities for students, predominately girls, in rural and remote areas who fall outside the reach of the normal school system. The program continues to perform strongly in its targeted provinces despite the security environ-ment in Afghanistan.

» Benchmark: Maintain 2000 students (80 per cent or 1600 of which are girls) enrolled in primary-level community education classes

This benchmark was exceeded – over 5,387 students (73 per cent or 3,932 girls) were enrolled across 135 communities in 12 districts. The program established 20 new classes with a total enrolment of 500 students (59 per cent girls) in Parwan and Kapisa, and eight new lower secondary classes in Khost, with a total enrolment of 163 new students (100 per cent girls). A pilot of lower secondary classes at 32 schools has been very successful with 90 per cent of students completing lower secondary going on to complete high school. All lower secondary students passed and the average mark was 85 per cent. This is significant because the pass rate set by the Ministry of Education is 40 out of 100. The overall student retention rate in 2016 was 99.6 per cent, surpassing the project target of 90 per cent. A midterm review of Empowerment through Education found that while formidable so-cial and cultural barriers to women and girls’ empowerment remained, the investment had gone a long way towards breaking down resistance. CARE, in its own review of the program, found that communities where the program is implemented had positive per-ceptions of the classes, with many parents agreeing that resistance to educating girls was a thing of the past, and that the positive changes they saw in their daughters con-vinced them that school was beneficial. Social change of this sort is a notable out-come for a modest program, especially in the Afghan context.Outcome 2: Improved gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment across Australia’s aid program

Australia is one of the lead donors in gender in Afghanistan and delivers on this outcome through policy dialogue, influencing trust funds, and as a feature of our bilateral program. During the reporting period, Australia successfully advocated for women’s empowerment to be included in the Self Reliance and Mutual Accountability

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Framework (SMAF). We work alongside other donors in the Gender Coordination Group to advocate on policy issues and coordinate programming. This year our advocacy efforts focused on implementation of National Action Plan 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, which was endorsed by President Ghani in June 2015 and is currently being integrated into the implementation plans of relevant ministries. Australia’s investments are focussed towards ending violence against women and we have a substantial voice in this space. For example, Australia advocates strongly for improvement in the policy environment around EVAW, for resourcing of services for survivors, and for improved data on the incidence and impacts of EVAW in Afghanistan. Over the reporting period, performance on gender improved at the investment level. Overall, 75 per cent of investments were satisfactory on gender, up from 67 per cent in 2015-16. Of the two unsatisfactory investments, one is technically complete. The other is LOTFA, a program experiencing a mix of performance and data issues. DFAT identified a lack of targeted gender analysis as contributing to these problems and will work closely with UNDP to address this over the next year, particularly as LOTFA con-siders expansion into a wider law and justice remit. ARTF, our other major invest-ment, showed slight improvements but still fell below the target for gender main-streaming in results monitoring (measured in terms of gender-specific objectives, out-comes, and output data with targets). Advocacy for improved performance on gender is a priority for Australia’s engagement in 2017-18.

OBJECTIVE 3Building resilience and supporting at-risk populations

This objective is rated Green. During the reporting period humanitarian needs increased in Afghanistan. Worsening conflict coincided with the return of approximately one million people to Afghanistan from Pakistan and other locations, severely stressing support services. Australia responded to the humanitarian crisis by increasing funding through various partners, meeting a range of needs including for nutrition, food and sexual and reproductive health and violence against women in returnee populations. We began work on a consolidated, multiyear strategy for Afghanistan, to provide more certainty for partners who are planning for acute ongoing humanitarian needs. Against this background, building resilience in agrarian communities continues to be a priority for government and for Australian aid.This objective’s rating is a reflection of satisfactory performance over the reporting period. Despite deteriorating security, our partnership with United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and the World Food Programme (WFP) ensured that humanitarian assistance was delivered to those in critical need, often beyond the reach of government support systems. 2016 was the second full year of implementation for the Australia Afghanistan Community Resilience Scheme (AACRS) investment, with evidence of positive results from the mid-term review. Outcome 1: Afghan citizens, particularly women and girls in vulnerable com-munities receive basic services and assistance to build their resilience

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Humanitarian support is a key objective of Australia’s development assistance to Afghanistan – building resilience and supporting at-risk populations. Australia is a leading donor to the UNOCHA-managed Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF). The AHF provides a coordinated, timely and efficient response mechanism to high-priority humanitarian needs in Afghanistan. In 2016, Australia’s support helped the AHF reach 3.52 million people (short of the targeted 4.1 million) most in need of assistance, including through the provision of basic shelter, food and healthcare services to vulnerable displaced persons and Afghan returnees. Access continues to be an issue for DFAT and partners. As a member of the AHF Advisory Board, Australia continued to advocate for the timely and effective response to critical humanitarian needs; strong coordination across humanitarian activities, and support for the most vulnerable, particularly women, children and people with a disability. Our support to the World Food Programme (WFP) helped provide food assistance to more than 3.5 million food-insecure and undernourished people affected by conflict or natural disasters (96 per cent of the target). Despite insecurity affecting access, WFP exceeded beneficiary targets for Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) treatment to children under five (124 per cent) and pregnant and lactating women (242 per cent), and emergency food support to returnees (112 per cent) and internally displaced persons (206 per cent). Additionally, WFP provided vocational skills training, with 81 per cent of communities recording an improvement in their disaster resilience and 77 per cent of female participants citing a higher degree of decision-making and influence in inter-family dynamics through their ability to contribute to household income.In June 2017, Australia announced new support for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), to support vulnerable displaced and returnee populations in Afghanistan. Results for this funding will be reported in the 2017-18 APPR. This was a substantial increase in Australian funding, in response to the acute context.1 DFAT is currently developing a humanitarian strategy to provide more certainty over funding levels to 2020. The strategy will also support coordination across the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.Outcome 2: Rural households in target districts, including women headed households, have increased income through improvements in agricultural productivityAustralia’s aid focuses on increasing poor people’s incomes by training farmers in new technologies and farming practices, promoting solutions that increase resilience, strengthening livelihoods and improving market linkages. These activities align with Afghanistan’s National Priority Programs (NPP) 1, 2 and 4 which relate to agricultural production, market development, water and natural resource development and strengthened local governance.The Australia-Afghanistan Community Resilience Scheme (AACRS) brings together the Australian Government, the Government of Afghanistan, and five implementing partner non-government organisations2. AACRS commenced in June 2014 and is currently scheduled to conclude in mid-2018. AACRS NGOs are working with at least 95,000 men, women and children in ten provinces. Each NGO implements its own livelihood project that contributes to the long-term outcomes of the scheme as a whole. The overarching goal of AACRS is to increase resilience among rural communities and to foster sustainable livelihoods. Projects delivered under the AACRS focus on farmer and small business training, small scale infrastructure and agricultural activities as well as partner government engagement, capacity building and market development.

1 In accordance with Minister Bishop’s announcement on 20 June 2017 http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/Pages/2017/jb_mr_170620a.aspx 2 Actionaid, the Aga-Khan Foundation, CARE, Oxfam, and World Vision

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http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/Pages/2017/jb_mr_170620a.aspx

A series of project and scheme-level midterm reviews were conducted during the reporting period. These reviews found that NGOs are making sound progress and achieving results against project targets. In the third year of implementation, NGO implementing partners facilitated training for 23,172 beneficiaries on improved agricultural practices, vocational training and market development (e.g. small business start-ups) including at least 5,506 women (some attendance figures were not gender disaggregated), exceeding the target of 18,164. By the end of the year, 9,927 farmers, were practising new or adapted technologies in agriculture and livestock, exceeding the set target of 5,738 farmers.

» Benchmark: Increase in average income from non-farm and farm livelihoods for rural households in project areas.

The performance benchmark for this reporting period was met. In one AACRS project, 39,275 kilograms of cumin, chickpea, white bean and sesame were sold – generating a 49 percent increase in revenue for farmers compared to the previous year. Women-specific garden crops also yielded an impressive 141,000 kilograms in 2016-17, raising the average annual income of women farmers to $149, nearly three times the national average1. Next year’s benchmark will take this year’s figure as a baseline for 5 per cent improvement.AACRS has a particular focus on vulnerable populations including women, youth and people living with disabilities. Through active involvement with Handicap International, all delivery partners have identified community members with disabilities and have taken active steps to include them in the AACRS interventions. In 2016-17, AACRS projects continued to engage women who are typically confined to their homes due to cultural factors, and supported them to earn income and strengthen their power at the household and community levels. Through the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Australia supports applied agricultural research aimed to improve and sustain the productivity of Afghan farming systems in water scarce environments. This six-year (2012-2018) $17.7million program runs three research projects focussing on: sustainable wheat and maize production; improved water management and use of water resources; and improved livestock productivity and availability of forage resources for smallholders. By 2016-17, the program supported the Afghan government in the release of 25 wheat, 10 maize, 6 barley, and 2 chickpea varieties – already exceeding the targets set for new variety release over the program’s lifespan. Of the total volume of certified seed available in Afghanistan, the improved wheat varieties produced in 2015 constitute 90 percent, up from just 23 percent in 2012 – a hugely beneficial outcome.During the Afghan President’s official visit to Australia in April 2017, Australia announced a new program of support for dry land farming and regional water resource management in Afghanistan (AUD4 million, 2017-2019). Under this commitment, Australia will support the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) to implement its Dry Land Farming Strategy and improve the integrated management of water, energy and food resources. The strategy aims to ensure that Afghan communities living in water-deficit areas benefit from improved production, food security and livelihoods. This funding also includes Afghanistan in an existing regional DFAT investment that would include Afghanistan in regional technical cooperation on the Indus river basin (which includes the Kabul River).

1 According to the National Life Skills and Status Survey 2015 conducted by the Afghanistan Statistics Organisation, the national average annual income was AUD59.

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Table 4 Rating of the Program's Progress towards Australia’s Aid Objectives

Objective Previous Rating

Current Rating

Objective 1: Supporting the Afghan Government to achieve economic growth and institute more effective and accountable governance

Amber Amber

Objective 2: Empowering women and girls by addressing barriers to their social, political and economic participation

Amber Green

Objective 3: Building resilience and supporting at-risk populations Green Green

Green. Progress is as expected at this stage of implementation and it is likely that the objective will be achieved. Standard program management practices are sufficient.

Amber. Progress is somewhat less than expected at this stage of implementation and restorative action will be necessary if the objective is to be achieved. Close performance monitoring is recommended.

Red. Progress is significantly less than expected at this stage of implementation and the objective is not likely to be met given available resources and priorities. Recasting the objective may be required.

MUTUAL OBLIGATIONSAustralia’s and Afghanistan’s mutual obligations for development are set out in the Afghan Government’s Self-Reliance through Mutual Accountability Framework (SMAF) and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Development Cooperation between Australia and Afghanistan signed in April 2017.The Afghan Government and international community endorsed the SMAF in September 20161. Australia participated in negotiations on the new framework and successfully advocated for the inclusion of women’s empowerment. The new framework is a compact over four years between the Afghan Government and the international community to guide development commitments. Indicators are agreed on annual basis. Under the SMAF, donors agreed to provide at least 50 per cent of their annual aid through the Afghan Government budget, and align at least 80 per cent with the National Priority Programs (NPP) – a commitment Australia continues to meet including in 2016-172. In return, the Afghan Government committed to reforms across five areas: 1) improving security and political stability; 2) anti-corruption, governance, rule of law and human rights; 3) fiscal sustainability and integrity of public finance, and commercial banking; 4) reforming development planning and management and citizen’s development rights; 5) private sector development and inclusive growth. The Afghan Government and international community continued existing mechanisms to monitor performance against the accountability framework, including: - the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board (JCMB) structure to review progress on a regular basis (meetings conducted September 2016 and July 2017); - Senior Officials Meetings to be held every second year to review progress; (last held September 2015 and next scheduled for October 2017), and

1 The SMAF is the successor to the 2012 Tokyo Mutual Accountability Framework (TMAF).2 In 2016-17, Australia delivered 69 per cent through on-budget mechanisms (ARTF and LOTFA), when

the humanitarian spend ($23.91m) is excluded, and over 90 per cent of the aid budget was aligned with NPPs.

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- Ministerial-level meetings every second year (last held in Brussels in October 2016 with the next planned for 2018).Foreign Minister Bishop announced in October 2016 that Australia’s $80 million annual aid commitment will continue to 2020. The Australia–Afghanistan Development Cooperation MOU signed in April 2017 is based on principles of mutual trust, mutual responsibility and mutual accountability for improved development outcomes. It recognises the 2015 SMAF as the guiding compact between Afghanistan and the international community. The Australian and Afghan Governments will review the partnership annually.Australia continued to be an active player in the international community’s policy dialogue with the Afghan Government, through UN-led mechanisms and engagement in the 5+3 grouping. Australia also participated in the oversight forums relating to our on-budget assistance. For the ARTF, we actively engage in the ARTF Steering Committee, Strategy Group and Incentive Program Working Group (IPWG). Australia supported the process to develop the Afghan Government’s new National Peace and Development Framework (ANPDF) that the Afghan Government released in late 2016. We also participated actively in the LOTFA Steering Committee and the International Police Coordination Board during the reporting period.

PROGRAM QUALITY AND PARTNER PERFORMANCE OverviewThe Afghanistan program has a good quality PAF which is generally up-to-date and used to monitor performance at the program level. Some indicators in the PAF had not been set for this year, or relate to planned programming that did not go ahead. These have been remedied, noting that the AIP and PAF will be updated over 2017-18. The program encounters issues, however, with investment level M&E. With increased insecurity, DFAT staff and program partners are more limited in their ability to monitor program implementation and not currently able to field evaluation teams. Partners are using a range of remote monitoring techniques such as community monitoring and use of third party monitors, and we continue to have basic confidence in reporting. We are currently exploring innovative methods for improving monitoring and evaluation – at the investment and whole-of-program levels – with the support of DFAT’s Innovation Exchange. The Afghanistan program is highly consolidated and uses existing mechanisms where possible to take on new work. For example, in 2016-17 the Prime Minister announced new work on infrastructure which is being delivered through earmarking some ARTF funding for that purpose. Australian aid staff and partners work under security constraints which drive the choice of programming modality. One evaluation was completed during the reporting period, less than the four listed in the 2015-16 APPR.1 The AACRS midterm review was the completed evaluation, and its recommendations focussed on efforts to build program-level results, beyond impact at the level of each agreement. Evaluations for LOTFA and ARTF were delayed by partners, who are in control of timing for these. The implementing partner evaluated the Uruzgan Health and Education Program (Children of Uruzgan), so DFAT evaluation was not required.The forward evaluation pipeline is detailed at Annex C. Aid Quality Checks (AQCs)The 2016 AQC process covered seven investments – ARTF and LOTFA, the humanitarian package, AACRS, Empowerment through Education, EVAW and ACIAR’s research for development program. A table of AQC ratings is included in Annex D. 1 The reviews not completed were ARTF (delayed due to World Bank timelines) and LOTFA (not pursued due to implementation delays)

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The AQC process showed that Australia’s aid program remains very relevant but that change in the context is having an impact on delivery of aid in Afghanistan. ACIAR was the initiative with the biggest improvement over the year with two improved scores (effectiveness and sustainability). Our humanitarian expenditure had three ratings reduced (although the 2016 AQC included funding arrangements with several partners, and these ratings were pulled down by underperformance of one, UNOCHA). ARTF, CARE, and EVAW each had two ratings reduced (CARE and EVAW reductions reflecting reduced confidence in some 2015 ratings due to access restrictions).Of the seven investments, 15 scores changed from the previous year across all domains, 11 of these for the worse. Effectiveness was the most improved category with one improvement (ACIAR) and no reductions. Gender fared well with only one reduction (EVAW – reduced from a 6 to a 5 on the basis of evidence from the midterm review) M&E and efficiency were the lowest performing categories in 2016, both with three initiatives scoring one point lower than in 2015 (although there was an efficiency improvement in AACRS). Involvement in trust funds such as the ARTF and LOTFA is challenging as we are one of many donors, complicating our ability to influence. The security situation also means we have less capacity to engage effectively with these mechanisms. Lower M&E scores reflect the trust funds’ unresponsiveness on reporting; but also a reduced ability to monitor bilateral programs given security concerns. ACIAR’s program is almost complete and is starting to show results, for example in certified seeds, after years of investment in their research model. Afghanistan did not have any investments marked as formally requiring improvement but our efforts will be concentrated in 2017-18 on strengthening LOTFA’s performance. Adjustments will also be made to the portfolio as a result of the ongoing security concerns and our desire to improve M&E arrangements.The Afghanistan program improved performance on gender, and is now at a 75 per cent satisfactory rate. This includes one underperforming investment that is technically complete. The remaining unsatisfactory investment is LOTFA, and improving its gender performance is a high priority. The overall aid program has two investments which appear to be having an impact on gender issues at the level of social change, EVAW and Empowerment through Education, on schooling for girls. Performance of key delivery partnersTo maximise the effectiveness of our aid expenditure, Australia selects delivery partners with experience in Afghanistan, as well as a track record of delivering results in the relevant field. Partner Performance Assessments (PPAs) are used to assess how well implementing partners are delivering the outputs required in aid agreements. Fourteen PPAs were concluded over the reporting period: six for multilateral partners and eight for non-governmental organisations (NGO). DFAT also coordinated work by other government departments and had a very small spend through managing contractors, which did not meet the threshold for formal reporting. The 2016-17 PPAs indicate that all delivery partner types are performing at an adequate level, at least, across all assessment criteria.In 2016-17, 75 per cent of Australian aid to Afghanistan was delivered through multilateral partners, and generally met expectations. Multilateral agencies remain important partners for us in Afghanistan, delivering value for money while minimising duplication and donor fragmentation, and enabling access to areas of Afghanistan beyond Australia’s capability. Internal reviews confirm that multilateral organisations offer technical expertise and ability to engage frankly at senior levels of government,

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recognising the dilution of Australian influence when pooling funding. These attributes are critical to the policy reform agenda. NGO partners delivered 19 per cent of Australia’s aid in 2016-17. PPAs1 for NGOs showed generally strong performance. The sectors where DFAT works with NGOs – education, EVAW and rural and agricultural development – typically require longstanding good relationships at the community level, reach into sensitive and underserved areas, and a track record of delivering good quality services that improve people’s lives. NGO programs are flexible and adaptive to the challenging context, and this has been shown through the reporting period in their ability to change staffing arrangements to respond to increased risk. Ensuring sustainability of these activities remains a challenge due to the often limited ability of the Afghan Government to take on these investments when programs end. Recognising these limitations, international NGO partners have placed a strong emphasis on community ownership with delivery through local NGOs to increase program sustainability.

RISKSSecurity risks across Afghanistan have increased over the reporting period and this is driving changes to the way Australia’s aid is delivered (refer table 3). Any activity that involves staff time in the field is considered high risk and as described above, NGO partners have sought to change the way they deliver aid to reduce risk. Contributing to trust funds and pooled mechanisms is a lower direct risk but also presents issues of partner performance and program delivery that necessitate ongoing active management. Bilateral programming is delivered through trusted partners and Australia is investigating additional ways to monitor and report on that work. During the reporting period, DFAT conducted a detailed risk analysis which recommended some management changes in delivering our aid program. Beyond reducing in-country personnel and need to travel, it identified that monitoring and evaluation needed further resourcing. Over the coming year risks will be monitored closely, recognising that should the situation deteriorate further we will need to make further changes to the way Australia delivers aid to Afghanistan. This is particularly the case for bilateral programming that works across the country, including in more remote provinces at risk of conflict. Risk monitoring will continue to inform a conflict sensitive ‘do no harm’ approach to our work.

Table 3: Management of Key Risks to Achieving ObjectivesKey risks What actions

were taken to manage the risks over the past year?

What further actions will be taken to manage the risks in the coming year?

Risk Rating

Are these same risks in in Post’s Risk Register (Yes/No)*

Deteriorating security

› Prioritised safety of Australians and

› Continue to monitor the security situation and update security pro-

High Yes

1 CARE Australia (2), ActionAid Australia, World Vision Australia, Aga Khan Foundation, The Asia Foundation, Oxfam Australia, Afghan Women’s Network@DFAT

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increasingly restricts Embassy operations to the point that Australian officials and/or major implementing partners withdraw from Afghanistan, further compromising program delivery, effective monitoring and reporting quality.

Australian Govern-ment employees and contractors. › Reviewed and strengthened se-curity settings.› Reduced need to travel outside Embassy through program consolidation.

tocols if needed.› Re-design programs and further consolidate if necessary should the security situation deteriorate.

The UNDP-managed LOTFA fails to meet fiduciary risk requirements. MoI fails to implement effective anti-corruption measures.

› Worked closely with UNDP and other LOTFA contributors to ensure the Afghan Government is aware of Australia’s concerns.

› Continue current actions.› Undertake a review of LOTFA to ensure it is the most suitable option for Australia’s ODA-eligible commitment to ANDSF sustainment from 2018-20.

Medium Yes

Afghan Government capacity constraints result in weak performance of ARTF-funded development projects.

› Reviewed ARTF performance reports and played an active role in the ARTF’s governance arrangements, including in regard to performance monitoring.

› Continue to actively engage in ARTF governance; monitor ARTF performance reporting; and seek World Bank and Afghan Government advice on government capacity to implement ARTF projects and adequacy of technical support provided.› Advocate for increased technical support through the ARTF as needed.

Medium Yes

MANAGEMENT ACTIONSProgress has been made against the management actions identified in the program’s 2015-16 APPR. A summary of progress on management actions is included in the table in Annex A. The only action that was not fully achieved related to review and update of strategy documents, an action that was overtaken by a change in Departmental requirements for midterm reviews of AIPs.Management actions that have been identified in this APPR are:

1. Program level: Progress work on remote and innovative monitoring and evaluation to ensure that the Afghanistan program is able to report more confidently on program progress and effectiveness; and to support more responsive risk-sensitive management. (late 2017)

2. Program level: Update the Aid Investment Plan and Performance Assessment Framework, including options for increasing climate change and disability inclusion. (early 2018)

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3. Investment level: Engage more closely with LOTFA to ensure management is satisfactory and advocate for a more strategic and effective approach to gender. This will include targeted gender analysis and options for engagement with program partners outside Kabul. (late 2018)

4. Investment level: Pursue improvement in ARTF’s performance on gender, and managing for results, through in-country engagement and involvement with donor and government policy dialogue mechanisms. This will include through the Strategy Group (Bank and Ministry of Finance,) and next three year ARTF Finance and Partnership strategy. Contribute to and follow up recommendations from the independent review and track an upcoming SIGAR audit. (priority for 2017-18)

5. Investment level: incorporate recommendations from the EVAW midterm review into design for a proposed second phase. The key changes are dropping an unsuccessful hotline activity, more comprehensive psychosocial support, and improving M&E practices. (late 2017)

6. Investment level: incorporate recommendations from the AACRS midterm review into program operations. Key changes include ensuring the Scheme Coordinator is in place and driving whole-of-program assessment and reporting. (late 2017)

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ANNEX A - PROGRESS IN ADDRESSING MANAGEMENT ACTIONSDescribe progress made against management actions in 2015-16 reportManagement actions identified in 2015-16 APPR Rating Progress made in 2016-17Provide incentives for increased Afghan government accountability by continuing to deliver more than 50 per cent of Australia’s bilateral aid program through on-budget mechanisms

Achieved

Our aid program has maintained a level of over 50 per cent on-budget, through contributions to the ARTF and LOTFA. If the humanitarian spend is included, this figure rises to over 75 per cent.

Continue to strengthen program performance on gender equality by prioritising women’s empowerment across all development and reform agendas through advocacy and policy discussions, including by taking a leadership role in improving the effectiveness of the ARTF GWG and working towards improved gender outcomes

Achieved

Gender equality has been a priority for Australian policy engagement, involvement in multi donor trust funds and in the broader development dialogue with and about Afghanistan. Gender equality is a priority focus for engagement on the ARTF and we are working with LOTFA to improve its focus on gender. Overall the aid program now has 75 per cent of investments satisfactory from a gender perspective, an improvement from 67 per cent the previous year.

Continue to use our engagement in the 5+3 donor group to advocate for greater consideration of gender equality by other donors, and actively contribute to the finalisation, implementation and assessment of the SMAF

Achieved

Australia has used many engagement opportunities to advocate for increased attention to gender equality, including our presence at the Brussels conference. We are known as a leading donor on gender in Afghanistan.

Ensure the humanitarian program remains responsive to emerging needs and priorities

Achieved

The humanitarian program has continued to perform well and responds effectively to new concerns, such as the return of over one million refugees from neighbouring countries.

Maintain the relevance of our aid investments to Afghanistan’s development priorities by ensuring key strategy documents are subject to regular review and enhancements (in 2017 conclude a midterm review of AIP/PAF and a new MOU/Development Framework Agreement), and by affirming Australia’s continued assistance at the Brussels Development Conference on Afghanistan in October 2016.

Achieved

A new MOU was concluded and signed when President Ghani visited Canberra in April 2017. The MOU reaffirms the areas and principles of cooperation that are detailed in the AIP. Australia’s Brussels commitment was to continue to provide at least AUD80m per year to support Afghanistan’s development, up to 2020. A review of the AIP/PAF was not conducted in the review period, due to a change in departmental policy (the APPR takes the place of the AIP/PAF review

Note: Achieved. Significant progress has been made in addressing the issue Partly achieved. Some progress has been made in addressing the issue, but the issue has not been resolved Not achieved. Progress in addressing the issue has been significantly below expectations

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ANNEX B – PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKSProgress towards Performance Benchmarks in 2016-17Aid objective 2015-16 benchmark Rating Progress in 2015-16Supporting the Afghan Government to maintain economic growth and institute more effective and accountable governance

Scorecard indicators for the ARTF improve or are maintained from 2015 ratings

AchievedARTF maintained performance against indicators in the 2015 performance scorecard

Commence implementation of new activity for PFM support

Partly achieved Australian support to PFM is now provided through our small grant to the Institute for State Effectiveness (ISE). Discontinue as strategic target.

The new 2015 Mutual Accountability Framework in monitoring progress against mutual commitments, supporting the Afghan Government’s reform efforts, and coordinating donor efforts is strengthened from Australia’s participation in the 5+3 group

Achieved

Australia continued to deliver over 50 per cent of our aid through government systems and 80 per cent aligned to National Priority Programs, in support of the SMAF, the successor framework for donor support to Afghanistan, negotiated in September 2015. Australia continued to marshal donor efforts towards better coordination through participation in the 5+3 group.

Empowering women and girls by addressing barriers to their social, political and economic participation

Maintain 2,000 students (80 per cent or 1,600 of which are girls) enrolled in primary-level community education classes

AchievedAustralia’s support to CARE’s Empowerment through Education program helped improve the quality, access and demand for basic education services in Afghanistan. The program met most of its targets in 2016-17, and continues to fill a critical gap providing education, predominately to girls, beyond the reach of the Afghan Government. During the reporting period it supported 5,387 students, of which 3,919 (73 per cent) were girls.

1,300 women and girl survivors of violence receive services

Achieved The EVAW program provided shelter and support services to over 1,685 women, surpassing the target.

An additional 900 police, law and justice, and government officials trained

Achieved The program exceeded its targets in 2016-17 training 1,665 police and justice officials on gender based violence case management and the application of the EVAW law.

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Building resilience and supporting at-risk populations

Increase in average income from non-farm and farm livelihoods for rural households in project areas.

Achieved Baseline year, although mid term reviews report increases since the beginning of AACRS.

Achieved. Significant progress has been made and the performance benchmark was achieved Partly achieved. Some progress has been made towards achieving the performance benchmark, but progress was less than anticipated. Not achieved. Progress towards the performance benchmark has been significantly below expectations

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Performance Benchmarks for remainder of Aid Investment Plan

Aid objective Performance Benchmark 2017-18 (end of AIP)

Supporting the Afghan Government to maintain economic growth and institute more effective and accountable governance



Commence implementation of new activity for PFM support

NA – activity did not go ahead



Empowering women and girls by addressing barriers to their social, political and economic participation

Maintain 2,000 students (80 per cent or 1,600 of which are girls) enrolled in primary-level community education classes

TBC – new program in design

1,300 women and girl survivors of violence receive services


An additional 640 police, law and justice, and government officials trained


Building resilience and supporting at-risk populations

Increase in average income from non-farm and farm livelihoods for rural households in project areas.

5% improvement on 2016/17 baseline

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ANNEX C - EVALUATION PLANNINGList of evaluations completed in the reporting period Investment number and name

Name of evaluation Date completed

Date Evaluation report Uploaded into AidWorks

Date Management response uploaded into AidWorks

Published on website

INK 459 Afghanistan Australia Community Resilience Scheme

Mid-term review 17 July 2017 22 August 2017 TBC November 2017

TBC December 2017

List of program prioritised evaluations planned for the next 12 months Evaluation title Investment number

and name (if applicable)

Date – planned commencement (month/year)

Date – planned completion (month/year)

Purpose of evaluation Evaluation type

INI510 Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund

Evaluation March 2017 November 2017 Verify performance of ARTF and demonstrate results

Partner led – note this evaluation was scheduled to be complete in this reporting period but delays beyond DFAT’s control mean it has been deferred.

INL281 Humanitarian Action in Afghanistan

Evaluation TBC TBC Verify performance of humanitarian funding

DFAT led

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ANNEX D - AID QUALITY CHECK RATINGSAQC RATINGS

Investment name Ap-proved budget

and dura-tion

year on year

Rele

vanc

e

Effec

tive

ness

Effici

ency

Mon

itor

ing

and

Eval

u-at

ion

Sust

aina

bil-

ity

Gen

der

equa

lity

Risk

s a

nd

Safe

guar

ds

Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) $429m 2017

AQC 6 4 4 4 4 4 n/a

2009-21 2016 AQC 5 4 6 5 4 4 5

Afghanistan National Security Forces Sustainment (LOTFA)

$158.46m

2017 AQC 5 3 4 3 4 3 n/a

2015-20 2016 AQC 5 4 4 5 4 3 4

Ending Violence Against Wo-men (EVAW) $30.1m 2017

AQC 6 5 4 5 3 5 n/a

2012-17 2016 AQC 5 5 5 4 4 6 4

Australia Afghanistan Com-munity Resilience Scheme (AACRS)

$29.4m 2017 AQC 5 5 5 4 5 4 n/a

2011-17 2016 AQC 5 5 4 4 4 4 5

ACIAR Afghanistan Agricul-tural Research Portfolio $17.7m 2017

AQC 5 4 4 3 4 4 n/a

2012-17 2016 AQC 5 4 4 4 4 3 4

CARE – Empowerment through Education $10.6m 2017

AQC 5 5 5 5 4 5 n/a

2011-17 2016 AQC 4 5 5 5 4 5 5

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HAQC RATINGS Humanitarian response AQCs assess performance over the previous 12 months (ratings are not compared to previous years). Investment name

Appr

oved

bu

dget

and

du

rati

on

Rele

vanc

e

Effec

tive

ness

Effici

ency

Mon

itor

ing

and

Eval

uati

on

Conn

ecte

dnes

s Prot

ecti

on

Gen

der

equa

lity

Risk

s a

nd

Safe

guar

ds

Humanitarian Action in Afghanistan

$68.35m 2014-20

5 5 4 4 5 5 5 n/a

Definitions of rating scale:Satisfactory (4, 5 and 6) 6 = Very good; satisfies criteria in all areas. 5 = Good; satisfies criteria in almost all areas. 4 = Adequate; on balance, satisfies criteria; does not fail in any major area.Less than satisfactory (1, 2 and 3) 3 = Less than adequate; on balance does not satisfy criteria and/or fails in at least one major area. 2 = Poor; does not satisfy criteria in major areas. 1 = Very poor; does not satisfy criteria in many major area.

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ANNEX E – PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORKObjective 1: Supporting the Afghan Government to achieve economic stability and institute more effective and accountable governance Afghanistan’s TMAF com-

mitmentEnd-of-AIP out-

come Ownership Indicators Data source & baseline 2014-15 2015–16 2016–17 2017-18

Government Revenues, Budget Execution & Sub-na-tional Governance

Key Ministries in the Afghan Government have improved capa-city and incentives to deliver targeted gov-ernment services

Shared out-comes

1. The Afghanistan Recon-struction Trust Fund (ARTF) performs effectively across in-dicators for program and oper-ational effectiveness, align-ment with the Afghan Govern-ment’s National Priority Pro-grams, and linkages to donor and Afghan Government mu-tual accountability commit-ments.

Baseline: In 2013, of the 24 ARTF Score-card indicators for which data are collec-ted, the ARTF was rated ‘on-track’ for 17 indicators; ‘slight delays’ for 5 indicat-ors; and ‘off-track’ for two indicators. Data Source: ARTF Score-card ratings

Scorecard indicat-ors for the ARTF improve or are maintained from 2013 ratings.

Scorecard indicators for the ARTF improve or are maintained from 2014 ratings.

Scorecard indicators for the ARTF im-prove or are main-tained from 2015 ratings.

Scorecard indicat-ors for the ARTF improve or are maintained from 2016 ratings.

Improve the Afghan Govern-ment’s revenue collection and capacity of line Minis-tries’ to develop and execute budgets accountable to, and incorporating, local needs and preferences.

[NB. Australia’s ARTF support comprised 6.8% of total contri-butions for 2013. This bench-mark reflects the effectiveness of all donor contributions. As-sessment of Australia’s impact on the ARTF’s performance and accountability for results must be proportionate to the scale of our contribution.]

2. Development and imple-mentation of Tokyo Mutual Ac-countability Framework and hard deliverables

N/A Revise and agree TMAF and hard de-liverables

Monitor and assess progress towards Mutual Accountabil-ity Framework deliv-erables with the Government of Afgh-anistan (to be final-ised in Sept 2015)

Monitor and assess progress towards Mutual Accountabil-ity Framework deliv-erables with the Government of Afghanistan

Monitor and assess progress towards Mutual Accountab-ility Framework de-liverables with the Government of Afghanistan

Australian aid outcomes

3. Budget execution rates and budget processing times (numerous indicators used) in the Ministries of Agriculture, Public Health, Education and Public Works.

Baseline: Budget exe-cution (57 per cent) and budget pro-cessing times (nu-merous).

PFM programme has achieved end of program targets for improving budget execution, budget processing times, and effi-ciency of service delivery.

Commence imple-mentation of new activity for PFM sup-port

TBC upon com-mencement of new PFM activity

TBC upon com-mencement of new PFM activity

Data source: PFM program

4. % of civil servants trained in key service delivery line ministries (Agriculture, Educa-tion, Public Health, Public Works) who have improved their work practices

Baseline: not as-sessed (1294 civil servants trained in 2013-14 (164 wo-men))

70 per cent of civil servants trained in public sector man-agement have im-proved their work practices and abil-ity to perform their job.

Commence imple-mentation of new activity for PFM sup-port

New activity can-celled – no longer reporting

New activity can-celled – no longer reporting

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Objective 1: Supporting the Afghan Government to achieve economic stability and institute more effective and accountable governance Data source: PFM

program

5. Evidence that Australia has supported development and implementation of the Tokyo Mutual Accountability Frame-work (TMAF) and deliverables

N/A The effectiveness of TMAF mechan-isms in monitoring progress against mutual commit-ments, supporting the Afghan Govern-ment’s reform ef-forts, and coordin-ating donor efforts is strengthened from Australia’s participation in the 5+3 group.

The new 2015 Mu-tual Accountability Framework in monit-oring progress against mutual com-mitments, support-ing the Afghan Gov-ernment’s reform efforts, and coordin-ating donor efforts is strengthened from Australia’s participa-tion in the 5+3 group

The effectiveness of Mutual Accountabil-ity Framework mechanisms in monitoring progress against mutual com-mitments, support-ing the Afghan Gov-ernment’s reform efforts, and coordin-ating donor efforts is strengthened from Australia’s par-ticipation in the 5+3 group.

The effectiveness of Mutual Account-ability Framework mechanisms in monitoring pro-gress against mu-tual commitments, supporting the Afghan Govern-ment’s reform ef-forts, and coordin-ating donor efforts is strengthened from Australia’s participation in the 5+3 group.

The Afghan Govern-ment has increased resources to deliver government services through its NPPs

Shared out-comes

6. Results of aid delivered on-budget under Pillar II: project & program level results

Baseline: 2013 Score-card rating for Pillar II: 6 Green, 1 Yellow, 1 Red

Maintain or in-crease all ratings for Pillar II

Maintain or increase all ratings for Pillar II

Maintain or increase all ratings for Pillar II

Maintain or in-crease all ratings for Pillar II

Data Source: ARTF Scorecard

7. Evidence that Australia has effectively supported National Security Forces sustainment Baseline: 85 per cent

LOTFA Phase VII design is com-pleted

95 per cent of Min-istry of Interior Af-fairs personnel paid electronically

100 per cent of Min-istry of Interior Af-fairs personnel paid electronically [sub-ject to financial ap-proval]

TBC

(2014-15)

Data Source: UNDP Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan (LOTFA) Results Framework

Australian aid milestone

8. Proportion of Australian funding delivered on-budget to strengthen Afghan systems

Baseline: 50% in 2013-14

50 per cent of funding delivered on-budget

50 per cent of fund-ing delivered on-budget

50 per cent of fund-ing delivered on-budget

50 per cent of funding delivered on-budget

Data source: ARTF contributions data

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Objective 2: Empowering women and girls by addressing barriers to their social, political and economic participationTMAF commitment

End-of-AIP outcome

Ownership Indicators Data source &

baseline 2014-15 2015–16 2016–17 2017-18Governance, Rule of Law and Human RightsImprove access to justice for all, in particular wo-men, by ensuring that the Constitution and other fundamental laws are enforced expedi-tiously, fairly and trans-parently; ensure that wo-men can fully enjoy their economic, social, civil, political and cultural rights; fight against cor-ruption, including strengthening counter-narcotics efforts; and im-prove the capacity of state institutions.

Women and girls in target districts access social services specific to their needs

Australian aid

milestones

1. # of students enrolled in primary level community education classes (disaggregated by gender)

Baseline: 2,754 students in 2013-14Data source: Empowerment through Education

Maintain 2,000 students enrolled (80 per cent girls) enrolled in primary-level community education



TBC

2. # of women and girl survivors of violence receiving services Data source: UN

Women, TAF progress reports (quarterly/bi-annual).

1,500 women and girls receive services

1,300 women and girls receive services

1,300 women and girls receive services [assumes funding maintained at 2015-16 levels]

TBC

3. # of women and men directly par-ticipating in training and aware-ness raising activities

Data source: UN Women, TAF, AWN, UNFPA, AIHRC progress reports (quarterly/bi-annual).

1,000 women and men participate in training and awareness raising activities



TBC

4. Police, law and justice, and gov-ernment officials are trained in gender-based violence case man-agement and national legislation

Data source: UNFPA and TAF progress reports (quarterly/bi-annual)

n/a An additional 900 police, law and justice and government officials trained

An additional 640 police, law and justice and government officials trained

TBC

Improved gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment across Australia’s aid program

Shared outcomes

5. ARTF Corporate Scorecard rating for Gender Mainstreaming in Res-ults Monitoring

Baseline: Yellow (slight delays) – 53 per centData source: ARTF Corporate Scorecard

Improve % from baseline Improve % from 2014-15

Improve % from 2015-16 Improve % from 2016-17

6. Evidence that Australia has sup-ported women’s empowerment and addressing gender issues through policy dialogue and ad-vocacy on women’s empowerment and gender issues.

N/A Member of ARTF Gender Working Group Progress Gender reporting through ARTF Steering Committee membership; Advocate for revision of TMAF Component 2 hard deliverables through membership of TMAF Component 2 Working Group

Member of ARTF Gender Working Group Progress Gender reporting through ARTF Steering Committee membership; Advocate for clear and measurable gender equality outcomes through the Mutual Accountability Framework (to be finalised September 2015)

Member of ARTF Gender Working GroupAdvocate for progress against gender equality outcomes through the Mutual Accountability Framework

Member of ARTF Gender Working GroupAdvocate for progress against gender equality outcomes through the Mutual Accountability Framework

Australian aid milestone

7. Aid Quality Check gender ratings for target bilateral investments (AACRS, ACIAR, PFM, Empower-ment through Education, Children of Uruzgan, EVAW)

Baseline (2013-14 ratings): AACRS (N/A); ACIAR (4); PFM (2); Empowerment through Education (5); Children of Uruzgan (5); EVAW (N/A)Data source: Aid Quality Check gender ratings

Improve or maintain ratings from 2013-14




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Objective 3: Building resilience and supporting at-risk populations

TMAF commitment End-of-AIP outcome Ownership Indicators Data source & baseline

2014-15 2015-16 2016–17 2017-18

Inclusive and Sustained Growth & DevelopmentAchieve inclusive and sustained growth through a focus on human development, food security, private investment, and decent work and employment opportunities and the improvement of ranking in the human development index.

Afghan citizens, particularly women and girls, in vulnerable communities receive basic services and assistance to build their resilience

Australian aid

milestones

1. At least 80 per cent of target communities are better able to restore and rebuild their liveli-hoods, measured through an in-creased Community Asset Score (a resilience indicator).

Baseline: 79 per cent of targeted communities reported an increased Community Asset ScoreData source: WFP

N/A At least 80 per cent of targeted communities with an increased Community Asset Score

At least 80 per cent of targeted communities with an increased Community Asset Score

At least 80 per cent of targeted communities with an increased Community Asset Score

2. 4,000 children screened for mal-nutrition; and nutrition education sessions provided to at least 1,000 caregivers.

24 schools supported through the school health and nutrition program and 5,228 children participating Data source: Children of Uruzgan

Maintain or exceed 2013-14 results

Project completed Project completed Project completed

Rural households in target districts, including women’s households, have increased income through improvements in agricultural productivity

Australian aid

milestones

3. Average income from non-farm and farm livelihoods for rural households in target districts

Baseline: 500 persons (400 women) trained in 2013-14 Data source: AACRS

1,300 persons trained in strategies to improve livelihoods & 1,000 farmers using better agricultural technologies (disaggregated by gender).

8,100 persons trained in strategies to improve livelihoods & 4,000 farmers using better agricultural technologies (30 per cent women).

Increase in average income from non-farm and farm livelihoods for rural households in project areas. Baseline:

% increase in average income from non-farm and farm livelihoods for rural households in project areas

4. Evidence of increased government support for agricultural productiv-ity improvements

Baseline: New program, no results in 2013-14 Data source: AACRS

Formally engage with more than 100 government officials on improving dryland farming practice and supporting rural livelihoods

Qualitative assessment of changes in government support for productivity based on the indicators listed in AACRS M&E framework

Qualitative assessment of changes in government support for productivity based on the indicators listed in AACRS M&E framework

TBC

5. Number of households and area of land growing improved varieties of crops

Baseline: Nil. Data source: ACIAR

Annual increases from baseline, and progress towards end of program targets:

60,000 farm households incor-porating new vari-eties in their an-nual planting

15,000 hectares planted with new varieties

1,000 new house-holds growing pro-moted forage spe-cies and improved wheat and legume lines

Improved wheat

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NOTE: Performance benchmarks highlighted in bold.

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