Preparation of Institutional and Human Resources Directory and

Assessment of Capacity of Regional Secretariat and National Nodes

Simba Sibanda

Troparg Consultancy Services

troparg@ecoweb.co.zw

Background• FANRPAN is operating in 12 SADC countries• Network operates in each country through an

intersectoral platform designated as a country node• Members of the node comprise the following

stakeholders:– government ministries responsible for FANR; – policy research organizations such as relevant university

departments; – private sector national umbrella organisations which deal with

FANR; – national farmers’ organizations; and– civil society

Node Hosting Institution

• The country node is served by a node hosting institution which provides secretariat and coordination services

• Node hosting institution supported by node steering committee

Criteria for Appointment of Node Hosting Institution

• Ability to engage with wide range of stakeholders, including good relations with government

• Ability to convene high level policy engagements with all key stakeholders

• Staff and facilities to maintain good communications with stakeholders and the rest of FANRPAN

• Capacity to secure and effectively manage grants and contracts on behalf of FANRPAN

Capacity Strengthening Projects

• FANRPAN has had funding from USAID, and lately, DFID and FARA, to strengthen capacity at both the Regional Secretariat and the 12 country nodes

• It was necessary to determine the existing capacity of the nodes and progress made in strengthening the regional secretariat

• Information would be used to monitor progress in capacity building

Why Capacity Strengthening?

• Need to increase policy dialogue and engagement with policy makers

• Necessary to review the node hosting arrangements through a process of stakeholder consultations

• Result in either choice of new institution or endorsement of old one, followed by capacity assessment of institution

Areas of Capacity Assessment

• Supply of skills in policy research and analysis within the region

• Organizational development capacity of node hosting institutions

• Progress in strengthening regional secretariat

Activities• Prepare directory of organizations and

professionals with strong involvement and capacities in FANR policy research, analysis advice and dialogue

• Identify gaps in skills within the nodes and region

• Conduct a Partner Institution Viability Assessment (PIVA) for node hosting institutions and regional secretariat

• Convene national stakeholder workshops to share the results

Methodology

• In each country, assessment conducted by local consultant• Database of organizations and professionals:

– Desk review– Print media advertisement– E-mail interviews– Face-to-face interviews– Use of existing in-country frameworks and structures

• Stakeholder consultations to identify new/endorse existing node hosting institutions

• Assessment of capacity of node hosting institutions and regional secretariat using the Partner Institutional Viability Assessment (PIVA) tool

What is PIVA?

• PIVA is:– A management tool – Has numerical scale and matrix-method

design– Used to identify changes and progress in the

organizational development capacity of organizations

Why PIVA?

• PIVA provides a framework for detailed organizational analysis

• Analysis enables organizations to identify long-term and leadership oriented strategies to address shortcomings and achieve set goals

Areas of Assessment

• Governance and Leadership

• Operations and Management Systems

• Human Resource Development

• Financial Management systems

• Programmes and Service Delivery

• External Relations and Advocacy

PIVA Assessment• 116 competency areas assessed• Scores range: 1-nascent to 4-viable• Each competency area part of the six broad

areas• Maximum score 460• Example of PIVA tool in use: see Regional

Office PIVA

Outputs from Regional and Node Assessment

• Organizational and human resource report for each country

• Database of organizations and individuals with strong capacities in agricultural, food security and natural resources policy research, analysis, advice and dialogue facilitation

• Recommendations and appointment/endorsement of hosting institution for each country

• An assessment of the OD capacity of each node hosting institution and the regional secretariat

• Information to use in designing appropriate capacity building programs for nodes and regional secretariat

TimeframeBaseline

Sept 2005Target by Sept 2007

Target by Sept 2009

Governance & Leadership 30 54 (52) 68Operations and Management Systems 55 93 (72) 110

Human Resources Development 28 51 (34) 60

Financial Management Systems 32 52 (50) 68

Programs and Service Delivery 16 33 (24) 40

External Relations and Advocacy 47 86 (57) 114

Total System Points 208368 (289) 460

FARNPAN BASELINE 2005 & TARGETS (ACTUAL)- 2007, 2010

Actual scores for 2007 in brackets

Capacity Strengthening Issues at Regional Office

• Induction of new board members and use of board procedures manual

• MIS and ICT equipment and systems• Competitiveness of salaries• Expertise in policy analysis and advocacy • Long-term core funding • M&E system and Impact assessment• MOU with SADC• Private sector engagement

Capacity Strengthening Issues at Node Hosting Institutions

• Governance and leadership:– Appointment and/or strengthening of boards– Development and use of board procedures

• Operations and Management Systems– ICT equipment, software, procedures manual

and MIS

• Human Resources Development– Competitiveness of salaries– Staff development programmes

Capacity Strengthening Issues at Node Hosting Institutions (2)

• Financial Management Systems– Resource mobilisation strategies– Diversify funding sources– Effective use of partnerships– Cost recovery mechanisms

• Programmes and Service Delivery– M&E Systems and Impact Assessment

• External Relations and Advocacy– Public relations and communication strategy: increase

visibility– Formal links with technical partners, private and civil

sector and media houses