Factors influencing effective project evaluation of united nations’ict projects in Kenya

Abstract

In as much as several development objectives have recognized the aspects of ICT as critical in achieving the set goals, several UN ICT projects in Kenya have not achieved their desired performance. This research was undertaken using a report by the OIOS for the year 2018 and under the objective of considering the function of evaluation as well as the use of evaluation findings. The purpose of the study was therefore to determine factors that acted as determinant in the assessment of ICT projects in the United Nations, Kenya. The objectives were: to test the relationship between the evaluation budget and the evaluation of UN ICT projects in Kenya, to test the relationship between the availability of evaluation material and network on the evaluation of UN ICT projects in Kenya, to test the relationship between the competency of organization members and the evaluation of UN ICT projects in Kenya, and to test the relationship between the awareness of the benefits of evaluation by organization members and the evaluation of UN ICT projects in Kenya. The target population was 98 United Nations Information Communication Technology (ICT) employees stationed in Kenya. The theoretical framework involved TPPK as well as Constructivism Theory. Convenience purposive sampling was used, and the research relied on quantitative questionnaires. Data analysis was done by the use of statistical package of social sciences (SPSS software). Pre-Testing of the instruments was done through pilot testing in order to reduce the level of error associated with reliability and validity. The overall research findings revealed that there was a significant positive correlation between evaluation budget and evaluation of UN ICT project performance in Kenya (r=0.408, p<0.0001). The findings also showed that significant positive correlation between availability of material and network and evaluation of UN ICT project performance in Kenya (r=0.349, p=0.001). There was also a significant positive correlation between organization member’s competency and evaluation of UN ICT project performance in Kenya (r=0.365, p=0.001). There was also a significant positive correlation between awareness of benefits on evaluation of UN ICT project performance in Kenya (r=0.448, p=0.001). The study concludes that it was established relationship between the four variables that is evaluation of budget, availability of material and network, organization members. The study recommends further exploration of challenges facing project evaluation report implementation and their effect on operational efficiency and adaptability of UN ICT projects in Kenya. This will provide crucial insights into mitigating these challenges and enhancing UN ICT project performance in Kenya.