Midterm Evaluation: African Center for Justice program in Burundi, DRC, Republic of Congo, & Rwanda (2015)

In October 2015, American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) conducted an internal midterm evaluation of the African Center for Justice (ACJ) program. ACJ is a regional judicial development program implemented by ABA ROLI and funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL).
ACJ activities have taken place in Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, and Rwanda in 2014-15, and will continue through September 2016. The evaluation appraises the ACJ program’s progress toward its desired impact: improving the impartiality, competence, efficiency, and effectiveness of magistrates and court support personnel in the Central African region, while also facilitating problem-solving on regional legal issues.
The evaluation also assesses the extent to which the ACJ program has achieved its three principal objectives: [Objective 1] to nurture support for the ACJ among national governments, regional organizations, and bilateral and multilateral donors; [Objective 2] to provide high-quality and high-visibility training and professional development opportunities to justice sector personnel; and [Objective 3] to develop a long-term plan, including a financial strategy, for the ACJ.
The analysis is based on a mix of qualitative and quantitative data, including anonymous written surveys, focus groups with program participants at all levels, and personal interviews with high-level stakeholders. The results are based on primary and secondary source document review, process tracing, and coalition assessment analysis.
The evaluation was participatory, capturing the perceptions of a variety of ACJ program stakeholders, participants, and program officials. Fifty-three participants participated in focus group discussions and took one of four forms of the written survey. Interviews covered twelve high-level stakeholders and both the Program Director and six current or ex-Country Coordinators. The total number of participants was 75.
Originally posted on https://www.americanbar.org/