Summary of publication
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) agreed to the majority of recommendations of the evaluation and extended the program for a second phase. DFAT responded to the evaluation findings through a Theory of Change (ToC) Workshop (May 2013) to incorporate the key findings and better articulate the program logic and strategy for Phase 2. Key stakeholders that participated in the Workshop included SPC-LRD, URS Australia Ltd, Australia's Department of Agriculture, NZ Ministry of Primary Industries and DFAT. The workshop agreed on clearer framework for risk management and also clear linkages between activities and end of program outcomes. URS Australia Ltd, the main PHAMA service provider would develop further the initial framework early in Phase 2 in consultation with countries.
The suggested improvements around capacity development and results were also seen in the context that the 'twin' PHAMA service delivery model (Managing Contractor and SPC) was still new for both organisations and stakeholders and more time was needed for the model to be tested. DFAT also noted that many of the challenges issues attributed to recruitment and retention of SPC staff were being addressed separately in a recent organisational review of SPC.