9 0 S O U T H E R N A F R I C A N appropriate policy organ may direct a change of focus D E V E L O P M E N T C O M M U N I T Y and/or strategies. It may also initiate a review of specific 7.3 EVALUATION policies for improved implementation of the Plan. The evaluation will provide analytical and objective feedback to the organization and stakeholders on the 7.2.2 Operational and Technical Level efficiency, effectiveness, and relevance of the RISDP in The Secretariat and the SADC National Committees will be its ultimate eradication. The two main types of evaluation responsible for ensuring that progress on the RISDP is will be self-evaluation and independent in-depth monitored on a regular basis. evaluation. The SADC National achieving the overall objective of poverty alleviation and Committees will monitor implementation plans at Self-evaluation will be the main tool for reviewing in a national levels and provide status reports to the systematic and regular manner progress on medium-term Secretariat on a continuous basis. programme implementation as well as agreeing on An integrated monitoring system for the Plan will be reorientation of activities in alignment with the objectives developed by the Secretariat to provide an early warning of the RISDP and the medium-term programme. It will be mechanism and to maintain a good grasp on the a process of continuous improvement and will take place development and implementation of the Plan. The during programme implementation and/or completion. Secretariat will also monitor the implementation of the Independent in-depth evaluation will be the main tool various protocols and MOUs, as these are key instruments for assessing in an analytical and objective manner RISDP of regional integration. Other than the agreed strategies, performance comparing achievements against objectives. interventions and outputs, various legal instruments that may emerge from the implementation of the RISDP will also be monitored and evaluated in terms of their fit and contribution to the on-going implementation of the RISDP. The Secretariat will ensure that the monitoring system provides for aggregate indicators to monitor the overall development of the region by tracking developments in all areas of integration. The Secretariat will also play the role of advisor and facilitator in ensuring that appropriate interventions are implemented, and supplementary programmes are developed to ensure that set targets are met or that changing scenarios are being addressed. Independent evaluators who will not be associated with the implementation of the Plan will carry it out. This evaluation will take place either during the Plan implementation (mid-term evaluation), at the end of the Plan implementation (terminal evaluation) or after completion of the Plan implementation considering a time period sufficient to observe developmental impact (expost evaluation). Mid-term evaluation will focus on possible modifications to the planned implementation of the Plan through successive medium-term programmes while terminal evaluation will focus on the desirability and feasibility of future activities. • Independent in-depth evaluation of the implementation of the RISDP should be conducted every three 7.2.3 Stakeholder Level years within the context of the medium term expen- SADC Secretariat will produce an annual report on the the evaluation will include: overall implementation of the Plan. The report will firstly diture budgets and programmes. The objectives of • Assessment of the impact of the RISDP on the overall be presented for discussion at an annual RISDP objective of poverty alleviation and its ultimate stakeholders' workshop. The stakeholders' engagement eradication; will promote transparency in implementing the RISDP, • Tracking and highlighting of the achievements and create a platform for adding value to the Plan and continue delays as they relate to priorities intervention areas to broaden ownership. The stakeholders' workshop will of the RISDP; also facilitate the finalisation of the progress report for • Appraisal of the full spectrum of the orientation and submission to the Integrated Committee of Ministers (ICM) implementation programme of the RISDP, including who in turn will table it at Council. the adequacy of policies, capacities and resources needed by the development process;