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Performance

Introduction

Ensuring high levels of performance is essential to DFID tackling poverty. Measuring performance against our goals allows us to make sure that the work being done is effective, and highlights areas where improvements need to be made.

Public Service Agreement

The Public Service Agreement (PSA) framework has changed for the period 2008-11. Thirty PSAs now reflect a collective set of the UK government’s priorities.

DFID is the lead department for PSA 29: Reduce poverty in poorer countries through quicker progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)(587 kb). DFID is also a delivery partner on PSA 27: Lead the global effort to avoid dangerous climate change (332 kb) (led by the Department of Energy and Climate Change) and PSA 30: Reduce the impact of conflict through enhanced UK and international efforts (316 kb) (led by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office). DFID’s work on poverty reduction also contributes indirectly to PSAs on counter-terrorism and migration.

More information on the PSAs for 2008-2011 can be found on the Treasury website.

Departmental Strategic Objectives

Underpinning DFID’s contribution to the PSAs are seven Departmental Strategic Objectives (DSOs):  

• DSO 1: Promote good governance, economic growth, trade and access to basic services
• DSO 2: Promote climate change mitigation and adaptation measures and ensure environmental sustainability
• DSO 3: Respond effectively to conflict and humanitarian crises and support peace in order to reduce poverty
• DSO 4: Develop a global partnership for development (beyond aid)
• DSO 5: Make all bilateral and multilateral donors more effective
• DSO 6: Deliver high quality and effective bilateral development assistance
• DSO 7: Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the organisation
• Progress against these seven objectives will be assessed twice a year and reported on in the Autumn Performance Report and the Annual Report.

DFID’s Annual Report

The Annual Report is published in May each year and provides Parliament and the UK public with a comprehensive account of how DFID is spending and intends to spend public funds. It reports on progress against Public Service Agreements and DFID’s Departmental Strategic Objectives. The report also meets the requirements of the International Development (Reporting and Transparency) Act 2006.

• DFID Annual Report 2008 – Development: Making it Happen
• DFID Annual Report 2007 – Development on the Record 
• DFID Departmental Report 2006
• DFID Departmental Report 2005
• DFID Departmental Report 2004

Autumn Performance Report(2 mb)

The Autumn Performance Report (APR), also details DFID's progress in relation to the PSAs and DSOs including our efficiency programme.

Resource Accounts

Primary financial statements recording the full costs of activities, DFID’s assets and liabilities as well as providing information on how resources have been used to meet objectives.

Additional Material

• PSA Indicators Technical Annex (209 kb)
• DSO Indicators Technical Annex (433 kb)
• DFID’s PSA 03-06(112 kb)
• DFID’s PSA 05-08(46 kb)
• DFID Stakeholder Survey 2008(370 kb)– DFID's first ever stakeholder survey has resulted in broadly positive feedback, delivering the message that DFID's staff and their expertise are the department’s biggest assets.
• Country Assistance Plans  – Plans to achieve these targets that are specific to countries receiving DFID bilateral aid.

Last updated 8 January 2009