Project Description

Since April 2023, Cloneshouse has been providing technical assistance and monitoring, evaluation, and learning support to the GEF-UNDP Africa Minigrids Program (AMP), implemented through the Rural Electrification Agency of Nigeria. The assignment focuses on facilitating monitoring and evaluation for the Africa Minigrids Program, including the operationalisation of the integrated indicator framework within the broader Minigrids Quality Assurance Framework (QAF).

Under this engagement, Cloneshouse is supporting the adaptation and institutionalisation of a common monitoring and indicator framework, and operationalising the use of the augmented QAF by applying the indicator framework to pilot projects. This includes supporting reporting on sustainable development impacts, integrating SDG impact considerations, and applying measurement, reporting, and verification mechanisms for greenhouse gas accounting.

Cloneshouse is also building the capacity of relevant stakeholders and beneficiaries on the architecture and use of the QAF for minigrids, including its integration with SDG impact reporting and MRV mechanisms for GHG accounting. In addition, Cloneshouse is developing reporting templates for sustainable development impacts of investments around the agriculture-energy nexus and supporting minigrid developers/operators with training on financial reporting.

The assignment further includes monitoring the project results framework, GEF core indicators, project plans, gender-related plans, and social and environmental safeguards to support compliance, ensure that targets are tracked, and help fulfil project reporting requirements. Following the contract addendum, particular emphasis was placed on monitoring the results framework and GEF core indicators, project plans, and social and environmental safeguards.

The original scope also included verification of project development milestones, although the subsequent contract addendum adjusted the activity allocation for that year. Cloneshouse also supports the project’s M&E and learning systems, works with relevant stakeholders to ensure reporting, monitoring, and evaluation are fully integrated across project stages, and facilitates annual reviews by producing analytical reports, learning products, and other knowledge management outputs.

Importantly, Cloneshouse is also supporting the facilitation of the project’s mid-term and terminal evaluations, including management responses, in line with the project’s monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning requirements.