Mid-Term Program Evaluation for a Child Protection Portfolio in Burkina Faso
Updated: Sep 8
Client Profile
A West African country office of a leading international child rights organization implementing a multi-year child protection and education programme across multiple regions of Burkina Faso.
Sector
International Development, Child Protection and Education
Geography
Burkina Faso, including Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso and rural areas of the Centre-Nord region
Engagement Type
Mid-Term Program Evaluation
Duration
Approximately four months
Team Size
Five professionals, including a Lead Evaluator, two Field Researchers, a Data Analyst and a Quality Assurance specialist
The Challenge
A major multi-year child protection programme was entering its third year of implementation across three regions of Burkina Faso. With an estimated programme value of US$8–12 million, the initiative required a comprehensive mid-term evaluation to assess progress, identify implementation challenges and provide practical recommendations for the remainder of the programme period.
The evaluation needed to go beyond measuring activities against targets. The client required a clear understanding of what was working, where implementation was falling behind and why certain programme components were producing different results across regions.
The operating environment added another layer of complexity. Deteriorating security conditions in the Centre-Nord region affected field access and required a flexible approach to data collection. At the same time, monitoring information was fragmented across several implementing partners, making it difficult to establish a consistent picture of programme performance.
B.I.M. Corporation was engaged to provide an independent, evidence-based evaluation capable of turning complex programme data and stakeholder perspectives into clear strategic recommendations.
Our Approach
B.I.M. Corporation designed a mixed-methods evaluation combining quantitative measurement with qualitative stakeholder analysis. The approach was designed to provide both measurable evidence of programme performance and a deeper understanding of the factors influencing implementation.
Comprehensive Desk Review
The evaluation began with a detailed review of more than 40 programme documents, including baseline studies, monitoring reports, programme plans and other relevant materials.
This provided the evaluation team with an understanding of the programme's original objectives, indicators, implementation structure and performance expectations.
Beneficiary Surveys
Structured surveys were conducted with approximately 480 beneficiary households across the three intervention regions.
The quantitative data helped assess progress against programme objectives while providing evidence that could be compared across geographic areas and programme components.
Stakeholder Engagement
Qualitative research was conducted through focus group discussions and key informant interviews.
Focus groups included community child protection committees, school directors and local NGO partners. Interviews were also conducted with government stakeholders at communal, provincial and national levels.
This combination of perspectives helped identify operational challenges and capture experiences that could not be understood through quantitative indicators alone.
Adaptive Fieldwork and Security Protocols
Because access to parts of Centre-Nord was constrained by changing security conditions, the evaluation required adaptive fieldwork protocols.
The team adjusted data collection processes to maintain research continuity while prioritizing the safety of field researchers and participants. This ensured that the evaluation remained useful even in areas where conventional fieldwork approaches were difficult to implement.
The Results
The evaluation produced a detailed evidence base and prioritized action plan for the remainder of the programme period.
One of the key findings was that the programme had achieved approximately 78% of its Year 3 output targets. Rather than simply reporting the overall achievement level, the evaluation provided detailed variance analysis to identify the programme components that were performing below expectations and the factors contributing to those gaps.
The evaluation also identified duplicated activities between two implementing partners. This finding supported a partner rationalization decision that was estimated to reduce programme overhead by approximately 15%.
Another important finding concerned community engagement. The existing child protection committee model was experiencing low participation in one region. The evaluation identified the underlying challenges and recommended a revised approach to community engagement. The revised model was subsequently adopted by the country office as a best practice.
Perhaps most significantly, the evaluation report became the primary evidence base for a successful follow-on funding proposal. The findings therefore supported not only programme improvement but also the organization's ability to communicate results and demonstrate future investment needs.
The Impact
The engagement demonstrated how rigorous evaluation can become a practical management tool rather than simply a reporting requirement.
The client gained:
A clearer picture of programme performance against targets
Detailed analysis of implementation variances
Identification of duplicated partner activities
An estimated 15% reduction in overhead through partner rationalization
Practical recommendations for improving community engagement
An evidence-based action plan for the remaining programme period
Stronger evidence to support future funding discussions
The evaluation also provided decision-makers with greater clarity about where resources and management attention were most needed.
Why This Case Study Matters
Complex development programmes generate large amounts of information. The challenge is turning that information into insight that decision-makers can actually use.
This engagement demonstrates the value of combining structured data analysis, field research, stakeholder perspectives and contextual understanding. By bringing these elements together, B.I.M. Corporation helped transform fragmented programme information into a clear picture of performance, risks, opportunities and priorities.
The result was not simply an evaluation report. It was a decision-support resource that helped the client improve programme implementation, strengthen operational efficiency and build a stronger case for continued investment.
B.I.M. Corporation's Approach to Evidence-Based Decision Making
B.I.M. Corporation focuses on helping organizations transform complex information into meaningful insight and strategic action. Its broader approach emphasizes strategic clarity, data-driven decision-making, precision and measurable impact.
For organizations managing complex programmes, evaluations and development initiatives, the ability to connect data with real-world outcomes can be critical to improving performance and demonstrating impact.
This Burkina Faso engagement illustrates how a well-designed evaluation can help organizations understand where they stand, identify what needs to change and make better-informed decisions about what comes next.
Case Study at a Glance
Engagement: Mid-Term Program Evaluation
Sector: International Development, Child Protection and Education
Location: Burkina Faso
Duration: Approximately four months
Team: Five specialists
Beneficiary Surveys: Approximately 480 households
Documents Reviewed: 40+
Year 3 Output Achievement: 78%
Estimated Overhead Reduction: 15%
Key Outcome: Evidence base for programme improvement and a successful follow-on funding proposal
Comments