Results Based Frameworks and Beneficiaries:

Irish NGO Practitioners Views and Experiences

Molly MiddlehurstDr. Enida Friel

Dr. Susan Murphy

Research QuestionHas the practice and implementation of (Irish Aid funded) RBFs in Irish development NGOs led to increased impact and accountability for beneficiaries?

– What are the aspects of RBF that help or hinder increased impact and accountability for beneficiaries?

– How is beneficiary feedback gathered and incorporated into RBFs?

• Semi-Structured Interviews– Open ended questions

– Leikart scales

• Sample: 10 NGOs– 4 Field Based

– 6 Ireland Based

• 13 Total Respondents

Methods

ImpactsThe (Irish Aid funded) RBF is an effective tool for increasing

long-term, high-level impacts for beneficiaries.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

The (Irish Aid funded) RBF is an effective tool for

increasing accountability to beneficiaries.

Accountability to DonorsThe (Irish Aid funded) RBF is an effective tool for

increasing accountability to donors.

Beneficiary FeedbackWe incorporate feedback from our beneficiaries

when we adjust our RBF.

• Lack of flexibility• Over focus on metrics / no room for

“color”• Opportunity cost• “It’s just a tool”

Negative Aspects / Challenges

“It helps us to establish coherence and cohesion in everything we do.” – Program Officer, Field Based Office

•Examining theory of change•Establishing and measuring against a baseline•Selecting good indicators•Accountability•Focusing on results/impacts/outcomes•Better programming

Positive Aspects of RBFs

Moving Forward:Recommendations and Lessons

LearnedSpecific Recommendation:

- Formal Complaints Mechanism

- Roll external processes into RBF

Takeaways:

- Balance

- “It Gets Better”

“We’re learning. We’re getting better at it … It has been progress. I think it’s been progress for Irish Aid as well. I just really hope they don’t change it all again.” – Program Coordinator, Ireland Based NGO

Moving Forward

Thank You! Questions?

Special thanks to Aaron Cunningham, Ang DeMarco