Global Fund Portfolio

Local Fund Agent (LFA) Consultations:
The Global Fund, in line with its performance based funding, appoints an LFA in each country to manage grant implementation (for HIV, TB and malaria) by the principal and sub-recipients in the country and also undertake periodic review of grant performance. DP-360 provides onsite and off site technical support to the LFAs, through its team of experts, in the areas of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and procurement and supply management (PSM):

• Monitoring and evaluation (M&E): We support the Local Funding Agents (LFAs) in the following specific activities under M&E.
  - On-Site Data Verification (OSDV): Verification of input, process, output and outcome indicators as agreed upon in the performance framework signed by the principal recipient (PR) with the Global Fund while receiving the grant, including verification of reported performance.
  - Principal Recipient (PR) assessment: this activity is usually undertaken before the signing of the grant between the PR and the Global Fund entailing an assessment of the existing M&E systems and capacity of the PR with respect to its ability to optimally utilize the Global Fund grants for all the activities and deliverables it has envisaged for the HIV, TB and malaria programs. Such PR assessments can be undertaken at any stage of the grant implementation, as mandated by the Global Fund
  - MESS (Monitoring and Evaluation System Strengthening) Tool: The principal recipient is required to conduct this exercise using the framework provided by the Global Fund to ensure strengthening of its M&E systems by coordinating with the M&E plans and systems of other partners working in the three disease (HIV, TB and malaria) areas in the country
  - Phase 2 review: Request for Continued funding (RCF): The Global Fund grant is typically for a period of 5 years, divided into phase 1 (2 years) and phase 2 (3 years). Global Fund financing mechanism follows the principle of performance based funding (PBF). A review of the grant implementation is undertaken at the end of phase 1 and based on the performance and utilization of funds in phase 1, the amount to be disbursed in phase 2 is adjusted accordingly. Phase 2 review entails at looking at the entire program components – indicators, quality of service delivery, data collection and analyses systems – funded by the Global Fund, being implemented by the PR
  - RSQA (Rapid Service Quality Assessment): RSQA is usually carried out in conjunction with the On-Site Data Verification (OSDV). Its main objective is to assess and improve quality of services at country level, and to continuously build capacity in establishing and using quality improvement as an integral part of program implementation. More specifically, the RSQA appraises whether health services are implemented according to internationally recognized and evidence-based technical policies and guidelines. The RSQA tool consists of an assessment at two different levels:

1. The central / policy level – assesses the availability of national disease program policies and guidelines for the Service Delivery Areas funded by the Global Fund, and whether these are in line with latest international recommendations relevant to the prevention and treatment of HIV, TB and malaria, e.g. the WHO recommendations
2. The facility level – assesses compliance of service delivery under the Service Delivery Areas funded by the Global Fund with nationally defined standards
   
   - Budget review of M&E plan: Entails reviewing the M&E budget components and assess whether the allocated budget is sufficient, under or over quoted for the M&E activities proposed

 Reference: http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/me/                      

Procurement and supply management (PSM): We provide support to LFAs in the following specific PSM activities.

• Principal Recipient (PR) assessment: this activity is usually undertaken before the signing of the grant between the PR and the Global Fund and is similar to such assessment undertaken for M&E (as described above). The capacity of the PR for undertaking transparent and appropriate procurement, complying with national and international standards is assessed. Existing procurement plan is evaluated and suitable changes suggested. The supply chain management capacity, from central to the most peripheral level, of the PR to manage the pharmaceuticals, equipment and logistics procured from the Global Fund grant is assessed. PSM costs normally constitute 30 – 60 % of the grant and so an assessment of the PSM capacity is crucial
• Budget review of PSM plan: Entails reviewing the PSM budget components and assess whether the allocated procurement and supply chain management budget is sufficient, under or over quoted for the proposed activities

Reference: http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/procurement/

Office of Inspector General (OIG):

OIG conducts audits and diagnostic reviews of Global Fund (GF) grants in the recipient countries based on ‘red flags’ raised by the Local Fund Agents (LFAs) and those identified by GF. Audits look at the entire grant implementation by the recipient across all the three diseases – HIV, TB and Malaria. The following experts typically conduct OIG audits:

• Finance experts and a team of finance consultants
• Public health and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) expert(s)
• Procurement and supply management (PSM) expert

Diagnostic reviews are undertaken by OIG for specific areas of implementation where problems have been observed, e.g. procurement of drugs and equipment etc. and are undertaken by domain experts in the concerned area. Audits and diagnostic reviews missions have both in-country and off-site components and a Team Leader from OIG leads and guides the experts in these missions.

DP-360 experts have provided support to OIG in diagnostic reviews and audits across Central Asia, Africa and Latin America and are proficient in concise and crisp report writing as mandated by OIG.

Reference: http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/oig/