GTZ

March 1, 2008    

Score: 86/100

Key Findings
GTZ received 86 out of 100 points—a very strong performance.It surpasses all agencies in staff capacity and knowledge management, and its instruments are consistent with its strategy. However, GTZ scores less well on accountability where it faces challenges in the monitoring and evaluation of technical assistance projects.GTZ’s strengths are in line with its unique role among bilateral agencies as the Federal German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development‘s (BMZ) primary contractor for technical cooperation, specializing in technical assistance provision.

Suggestions to Increase Agency’s Effectiveness and Scores

• Improve and implement the monitoring system so that it systematically generates centrally accessible performance information on FSD programs, especially at the macro level where the attribution gap is large.
• Deepen quality of GTZ’s evaluations of FSD programs, including a more rigorous analysis of GTZ’s own work quality, not just external factors.
• Conduct portfolio reviews, regionally or globally, to better understand overall constraints and strengths. Results of the portfolio review can be used to determine clear priorities for interventions. These reviews could be conducted out of the newly established, independent unit in charge of external evaluations. Ideally, microfinance could be chosen as one of the 2008 topics.
• Continue vigilance regarding credit funds in non-FSD projects.
• Watch carefully that pressure to acquire new business does not extend GTZ beyond its areas of core competence and technical leadership, nor that it relaxes high quality standards upon which GTZ’s strong brand reputation rests.
• Consider collaborating with other key funders to continue developing and refining performance standards for programs at meso and macro levels. GTZ has the respect and convening power to rally other funders to focus intellectual energy on advancing this work.