Transcript (IMCL) Mohamed Barre (UNDP)

Somalia - Improving Financial Planning and
Management
DFID
Department for
International
Development
The World Bank
ICGFM Miami Conference 2007
Presented by:
Michael Parry (IMCL)
Mohamed Barre (UNDP)
Sam Lugumba (UFH)
IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami
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Somalia Background
Somalia in Brief
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Population:
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Economy:
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Livestock, trade, agriculture
Politics:
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8 – 10 Million
unstable over 16 years
Tertiary institutions
supported are in all zones of
Somalia:
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Somaliland
Puntland
South-Central – Mogadishu
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Project Objective
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The Capacity Building for
Somali Planners Project
(CBSP) aims to develop
the capacity of financial
planners, as a means of
fostering economic
growth in Somalia.
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Background
Project duration, August 2005 – September 2007
Local Implementation – Six Somali universities
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University of Hargeisa
Amoud University
East Africa University
Mogadishu University
Somali Institute of Management and administration
Development (SIMAD)
Puntland State University
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Activities
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Preparatory courses: Phase I [4 months]
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Main course (ODL) – 5 Units: Phase II [9 months]
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Principles of Economics, Finance, Accounting, Basic Computer
Skills and English language (face to face), Budgeting (online
distance learning - ODL)
Recording financial transactions,
Information for management control
Maintaining financial records
Accounting for costs
Public financial management
Overseas training: Phase III [2 weeks]
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The Partnership
Team made up of multi-disciplined individuals
Our Core Competencies:
 A large pool of technical specialists and
jurisdictional knowledge (e.g. cross border,
accounting, financial management systems)
 Project structure
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sound, robust and sustainable in the long-term, with
sufficient flexibility to cater for potential variability, over
the project lifetime
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Organisations Involved
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Donor Organisations
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UNDP, with funding assistance
from
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Local Universities
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World Bank
DFID
Six Somali based universities
International Firms
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IMCL
University of Fort Hare
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Role of the Donors
UNDP Project - funding assistance from World Bank & DFID
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Project Management
Contracting the six Somali Institutions to run the course
Coordination of Field Visits and Training of Trainers
Upgrading of IT Facilities at Somali universities
External Examination Invigilation and Logistical Support
Distribution of Exam Papers to Somali Institutions
Delivering completed exam transcripts to UFH
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Role of the Somali Universities
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Registration of Students
Face-to-face tutorial support to
students
IT facilities
Review of custom developed
course material
Marking of mid-term assessments
Up-loading midterm results to the
website
Invigilation of final examinations
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Role of International Management Consultants
Limited (IMCL)
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Design of syllabus
Purchase of pre-prepared course material
Preparation of custom designed course material
Training of Somali Tutors
Design, build and maintenance of course website (together
with external IT firm)
Quality assurance during the design of mid-term
assessments and final examinations
Course coordination and management
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Role of University of Fort Hare (UFH)
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Training of Somali Tutors
Preparation of custom designed course material
Provison of ongoing remote support to Somali Tutors
Design of mid-term assessments and final examinations
Marking of final exams and course Certification
Course Evaluation
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ODL Learning Process
1. Selection criteria:
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Employee [public or private],
education and/or practical
experience
2. Selection process:
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Application, screening & tests
3. Course website developed:
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www.somaliodl.net
Access given to student and
tutors (User name and
Password)
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ODL Learning Process
4. Learning Material:
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Study Text
I-Learn online/offline study aid (Web and CDs)
Online Query Board (Students and tutors)
Tutorial Material and classes (Face-to-Face (F2F) and Online)
Assessments: Weekly assignments uploaded
Schedules: Text Study, midterm assessments, and final exams
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ODL Learning Process
5. Re-Sit Exams:
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One chance on payment
6. Certification:
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University of Fort Hare, South Africa
7. External Training:
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One/two weeks study tour in another African country for selected
course graduates
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Student Contributions
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Course is subsidized by the
project
Students pay monthly fee to
their universities
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Private sector $20
Public Sector $10
Purpose of charging is
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Ownership
Commitment
Sustainability
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Anticipated Outputs / Impacts
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100 participants with Certificate in Financial Planning and
Management
Pool of competent financial managers for the government
and private business
Enhanced performance of participating civil servants
Strengthened Somali human resource base
Approximately 30 participants with exposure to financial
management systems in other countries
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Progress to date
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Six universities have internet [VSAT]
Additional (face to face) support is provided
200 employees from public and private sector currently
enrolled
20 tutors/lecturers are involved
Low attrition rate to date
Excellent first semester examination pass rate
Global knowledge and information sharing
Networking
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Challenges
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Inadequate human, financial
and infrastructural capacity in
the region emerged as being
integral to the core challenges
confronted by the public sector
Political instability/uncertainty
Integration and co-ordination of
capacity building support
initiatives
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Challenges
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ODL concept is unknown in Somalia
Limited technology
Low bandwidth – limited speed
Lack of qualified tutors
Ability to tailor material to local PFM system
Quality control
Obtaining accreditation
High cost of E-learning
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Challenges
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Public Sector Skills & Expertise
ODL vs traditional learning
Capacity across government
organs
Changes in workforce
demographics
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Successes
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Strong feasibility study
standards
Communications
Political Commitment
Student Participation
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Lessons Learned
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Mixed mode learning benefits
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Development in conflict zone
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Consortium
Training of trainers and Students
Professional developments opportunities
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Public and Private
Networking of partners
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Taking exams at the same time at six locations
Contributions from students
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Online, Face-to-face and Offline learning
PFM, CAT, ACCA, CPA & Examination centers
Motivation
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Lessons Learned
Ongoing communication between parties is key
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Strong project champions – initial
and ongoing
Flexibility and simplicity
Importance of establishing training
and development centres
Centralized information source
Coordinated and accredited
programs
Ongoing relationship
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Prospects
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Local Institutions:
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Skills Transfer
Sustainability
External Stakeholders:
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Mobilization
Networking & Relations
Common Approach
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Conclusions
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Online Distance Learning is
gaining international acceptance
as a preferred mode of delivery
for capacity building initiatives
Efficiencies obtained and costs
saved should compensate for the
challenges experienced.
Coordination and alignment of
institutional support is key to the
success of any capacity building
exercise
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Course Evaluation Model
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1.
Climate
4.
Results
2.a.
Reaction
Internal Drivers
External Drivers
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Continuous program
evaluation process to
measure the impact
and value of the
services rendered
Model is based on the
Donald Kirkpatrick
Model of Evaluation
Evaluation
Focus
3.
Behaviour
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2.b.
Learning
2.c.
Facilitatio
n
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Course Evaluation Model
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This model seeks to evaluate support activities:
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effectiveness;
gaining information on how to improve the support;
informing decision making and interventions/solution design
deciding whether to continue or discontinue support activities or
programs;
worth/value of support activities;
assessing the impact in terms of relevance, practicality and
customization of support interventions; and
informing the Total Quality Management System of the Consortia
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Contacts
UNDP-Somalia
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Project Manager
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Mohamed Barre: [email protected]
Chief Technical Advisor
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Mike Bicker: [email protected]
IMCL & UFH
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ODL Course Manager (IMCL)
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Chris Rowe: [email protected]
UFH Coordinator (UFH)
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Samuel Lugumba: [email protected]
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Websites
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Somali Universities
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University of Hargeisa, http://hargeisauniversity.net
Amoud University, www.amouduniversity.net
East Africa University, www.bosaso-university.net
Mogadishu University, www.mogadishuuniversity.com
SIMAD, http://simadsom.org
Puntland State University, www.puntlandstateuniversity.com
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Websites
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Donors
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World Bank, www.worldbank.org
UNDP, www.so.undp.org
DFID, www.dfid.org.uk
Course Providers
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IMCL, www.imcl.co.uk
University of Fort Hare, www.pfsa.ufh.ac.za
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The End
Questions?
Comments!
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