Monitor WASH response quality
Analyse results of partners’ quality monitoring mechanism
Before or during the implementation phase, the coordination platform must have agreed with the partners the WASH quality assurance system, and the modalities and tools of quality monitoring. With or without the support of the coordination platform, most partners do monitor the quality of their response, with tools ranging from simple field visits done by the project manager to a full feedback and complaints mechanism. Based on the quality assurance system set up, partners must communicate transparently results of their quality monitoring to the coordination platform, who can compile results and provide consolidated analysis of the response quality.
Monitor partners response quality
Coordination platform can also directly monitor partners response quality. While self-reported indicators of service-level can be derived from a 5W matrix, this is an inadequate measure if taken alone and other tools must be used by coordination team, such as ad hoc or planned field visit and discussion with beneficiaries. To avoid creating tension with the partners, this monitoring modality should be clearly mentioned in the quality assurance system part of the SOF, and visits should be planned with partners.
UNICEF Humanitarian Performance Monitoring Toolkit contains useful examples and approaches, notably to quality monitoring, and can be found on line.
Monitor relevant response modalities
Several types of implementation modalities can be chosen for the WASH response: direct implementation, implementation through support to the local government or local partners, conditional or even unconditional cash transfer. Usually, the WASH operational response plan provides guidance on the modality advised by the WASH Coordination platform. Together with other strategical and quality aspects, the WASH coordination platform monitors during the implementation the relevancy of the modality chosen, to be able to re-orientate the strategy if needed. Specific indicators may have to be followed, for instance those associated with WASH markets (evolution of the prices of WASH services and material such as construction material or water trucking) or local capacity building (% beneficiaries satisfied with services received from local government or local NGO)