There is an increased demand
in result measurement in order to assess the effectiveness of development aid.
This is particularly true in the field of vocational skills development (VSD),
where it is quite difficult to evidence outcomes. Furthermore, as a project
manager the strategic use for your decision-making and improving your programs
performances can be greatly enhanced with a solid result measurement and
monitoring approach.
In April 2020 SDC’s Quality
Assurance published the new SDC Guidance on Results Indicators as a normative
document. It refers to Switzerland’s Strategy 2021-24 for International Cooperation and to the 2030 Agenda. In the SDC guidance, three
types of result indicators are distinguished:
a) Aggregated Reference Indicators (ARIs) – introduced in 2016
b) Thematic Reference Indicators (TRIs) – introduced in 2020
c) Context-specific indicators – Common Outcome Indicators
(COIs) for VSD exist since 2013
While the use of ARIs and TRIs
is mandatory (as long as they are relevant for the specific project), the use
of additional indicators proposed by the thematic networks such as the COI for
VSD is voluntary.
The Working Aid on the use of Indicators in VSD Programmes is intended to provide a quick and
comprehensive overview of all indicators relevant to VSD projects and
programmes - and to select the most appropriate set of indicators for each
project type. The indicators are grouped under the four outcome dimensions Outreach, Relevance of Training, Gainful Employment
and Systemic Change. It is an easy-to-use support instrument for all phases of
the project cycle.
Kindly
note that this Working Aid is a living document. Your comments and suggestions
for improvement are always welcome! Please send them to the Andrea
Inglin(e+i Focal Point) and Roman Troxler (VSD
backstopper)
