Recommendation 3 a. To facilitate improved alignment and development effectiveness of Australia’s S4D investments we recommend a rationalisation of the PSP portfolio in terms of countries and sports, and the establishment of a mechanism to engage sports and government in locally contextualised planning and priority setting. Agree DFAT will rationalise its S4D footprint with a view to maximising program impact, noting that development effectiveness is one of a number of considerations. At design b. In doing so it is imperative that future partnerships should be based on a careful assessment of each sports strategic interest in sport for development and their ability to deliver on development as well as public diplomacy objectives. The potential to access wider contributions beyond DFAT grants to include and leveraging wider development and sporting resources should be explored as part of this equation. Agree DFAT will pursue partnerships that reflect shared strategic interest in the next phase of S4D programming, and consider implementing good practice financing and partnership arrangements used in the Government’s NGO cooperation programs. At design and procurement c. Greater diversification of the grant management system to allow new grant types for different purposes could facilitate a wider footprint through activities that contribute to DFAT’s wider public diplomacy priorities and/or emerging shared interest of DFAT and the sports. Agree DFAT will explore diverse funding opportunities alongside core aid programming to ensure that the new S4D program can incorporate emerging priorities and innovative partnerships. Funding will be provided in line with the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Guidelines. At design
Recommendation 8 The grant making system needs to establish clearer protocols and due diligence criteria for on-granting. Agree DFAT is committed to best practice grant and contract management across all programs. DFAT will work with the managing contractor and grantees to reduce risks associated with the provision of DFAT funding to third parties for program implementation (on-granting). Ongoing Recommendation 9 In determining resource allocations for the new S4D program, DFAT must pay attention to the resourcing implications of the evaluation recommendations on program scope and purpose, as well as positioning DFAT as a leader within a community of S4D good practice. This will include exploration of additional resources to support technical quality, or revisiting funding ratios or programming scope/footprint. Agree As we design the next phase of the sport for development program, DFAT will consider options for improving program effectiveness in accordance with the principles of proportionality and value for money. We recognise that resourcing for technical support may reduce funds available for program implementation but improve the sustainability and impact of activities. At design and procurement
Recommendation 17 Regular routine monitoring of investments by the MC is a minimum standard for accountability and risk and performance management. Adequate human and financial resources for (at least) biannual monitoring by the MC and/or a technical team should be allocated within the future program. Agree DFAT strongly supports accountability and risk management and will work with the managing contractor to develop an appropriate monitoring schedule within a future Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Framework. At design Recommendation 18 Future resourcing for Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) should consider the need for increased technical resources to support partner M&E capabilities, whole of program and cross activity learning and data collection and analysis. Agree DFAT will work with the managing contractor to develop an appropriate Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Framework. The allocation of funding for technical resources will be considered in accordance with principles of proportionality and value for money. At design Recommendation 19 Reporting arrangements should be strengthened through: a. considering the proportionality of reporting requirements across the range of PSP and S4D grant types and Agree DFAT will work with the managing contractor to develop a program reporting schedule that is appropriate for the level of grant complexity, value and risk. At design b. making resourcing available for the development of an Integrated Management Information System to streamline reporting and data analysis. Agree DFAT will explore options for end-to-end information management to simplify reporting and data analysis. Immediate