Building on advancements in IATI data and tools, UNICEF sought to support the use of IATI data by partner country governments to reduce the burden of data collection, increase timeliness of data, and drive improvement of UN agency IATI data for further use and country benefit. It sought to move the IATI community into “Phase III” of its history, emphasizing the use of IATI data. Partnering with Development Initiatives (DI), Development Gateway (DG), proposed a program to advance the use of IATI, and reduce costs of UNICEF country offices through:
1. Demonstrating the value of IATI data for more efficient reporting and collecting of data;
2. Identifying areas for improvement of UNICEF IATI data to better serve partner country needs;
3. Creating knowledge products and guidance on IATI data use to facilitate broader use of IATI data.
DI and DG developed a curriculum to train those interested in using IATI in country systems. The curriculum introduces users to IATI and the available tools for IATI use. It also explains what to look for in terms of data quality and preparing data to be used in country systems, and guides users on how to use the DG developed IATI-AIMS Import Tool.
Based upon prior success in using embedded fellowships to support geospatial data use, DG and DI hired and trained IATI-AIMS Fellows to work in Senegal and Madagascar, two countries that had already been using the IATI-AIMS import tool and shown interest in taking it to the next level. This report details that process, the lessons learned, and recommendations from this experience.
