Country Programming Framework (CPF): some lessons from RLC

Salomón SalcedoSenior Policy Officer, RLC

ECP WorkshopAnkara, September 25-29, 2012

Lesson 1: Not an easy exercise…

FAO’s mandate deals with more than one Ministry

A single Ministry will present a shopping list of “priorities” for FAO’s technical assistance

How to prioritize?

How can we make sure that the government will co-lead the exercise? What do we do when government officials change constantly?

CPF preparation requires knowledge on Results-Based Management; not much expertise in FAO.

Lesson 2: adjust to specific country situation

FAO

Can it be done just with the help of a consultant? Belize, St Kitts & Nevis (National correspondants)

A programming mission required? Peru, Haiti, Mexico

FAO Country office does everything with RLC’s follow up by “Skype” Brasil, El Salvador

Government

Ministry of Agriculture or Ministry of Foreign Affairs?

Lesson 3: Be specific in TORs / end product

What should a CPF look like?

I. Preamble (1 pp)

II. Introduction (1-2 pp)

III. Situation analysis (2-3 pp)

IV. FAO’s comparative advantages and priority areas (3-5 pp)

V. Programming for results (4-6 pp)

VI. Implementation arrangements and M&E (2-3 pp)

Compulsory annexes

CPF Priority Matrix CPF Results Matrix (A &B) CPF M&E Plan Review of the history of FAO

presence in the country (past and ongoing activities)

Review of major programs, laws and policies in FAO-mandated areas

Detailed analysis of country-level comp. advantages of FAO and other development partners

CPF Resource Mobilization Strategy / Action Plan

Lesson 4: Govt’s will take more time than expected

But that’s OK. Their participation is what matters

Lesson 5: Prioritizing, one of the two most difficult exercises

Possible prioritization criteria:

1. FAO’s capacities and comparative advantage in the country

2. Alignment with key government programs

3. Contributes to Organizational Results (and to OOs)

4. Probability to mobilize resources

5. Favorable national / regional context

6. Scope of impact (national level?) / direct relation to the MDGs

7. Time to perceive impacts

Can do it easily in Excel

Lesson 6: Programming for results, the other most difficult exercise

Need a RBM expert

And technical officers’ knowledge

High quality results matrices can only be prepared by teams: government technical focal points, country office, technical officers, and RBM specialist.

Lesson 7: FAOR / Assistant FAOR’s commitment... the most important factor