Transcript TC Strategy
EuropeAid Reforming Technical Cooperation __________________ The Backbone Strategy on TC & its core elements __________________ EUROPEAN COMMISSION Main challenges __________ Not enough focus on results Supply-driven EuropeAid Mixed standard of experts quality … and little evidence of change Unsatisfactory tracking of TA performance … Parallel PIUs - outside country structures – absorb resources and do not develop capacities Overreliance on northern commercial providers 2 Drivers of change __________ EuropeAid International Aid Effectiveness commitments – Paris indicators: Indicator 4: 50% of TC implemented via coordinated programmes Indicator 6: reduce by 2/3 the stock of parallell PIUs EU targets: Provide all capacity building assistance via coordinated programmes and increasing use of multi donors arrangements Avoid the establishment of (parallel) PIU 3 European Court of Auditors on TA (2006) __________ EuropeAid Recommended areas of work: improve design + result orientation promote new sources/types of providers better selection of expertise/revision of evaluation criteria enhance coordination among donors performance tracking/database more ownership 4 Vision __________ EuropeAid Improved effectiveness and sustainability of EC development assistance, based on: Provision of “quality TC” that supports country-led programmes, based on partner demand and focused on sustainable results Provision of support through partner-owned project implementation arrangements, with a substantial reduction of Parallel PIUs 5 Eight guiding principles __________ 8. Consider innovative options for TC provision 7. Avoid use of Parallel PIU & promote effective Project Implementation Arrangements 6. Work through harmonized and aligned actions 1. Primary aim is Capacity Development EC Technical Cooperation 5. Take account of country/sector requirements EuropeAid 2.Demand led approach where TC is not provided by default 3.Strong result orientation 4.Country owned & managed TC processes 6 In line with the Accra Agenda for Action (AAA) __________ EuropeAid Donors’ support for capacity development will be demanddriven and designed to support country ownership Developing Countries and Donors will : i) jointly select and manage technical cooperation ii) promote the provision of technical cooperation by local and regional resources, including through South-South Cooperation Donors will strengthen their own capacity and skills to be more responsive to developing countries’ needs 7 Four purposes of Technical cooperation __________ EuropeAid 8 The five working axis __________ EuropeAid 4. Communication, knowledge management, training 1. Strategic dialogue 2. Improve design management & accountability 3. Improve tendering, contracting & other procedures 5. Implementation and monitoring of the Strategy 9 Axis 1: Strategic dialogue on TC and PIUs __________ EuropeAid At country level – menu of interventions: Support sector/national policies on TC and PIU Support plans for capacity development at sector level Address public sector reforms Promote dialogue on "top up“ Inform other donors on TC operations in the pipeline engage in joint/co-financing HQ level: participation in ongoing dialogue at international level promote joint guidance organize joint training/sector seminars 10 Axis 2: TC design, management and accountability __________ Better design - Guidelines on TC: Assess demand for TC Consider/adapt to context Assess existing capacity Optimize harmonization Result oriented design Get the right inputs – Dos and Don’ts in ToR Monitor/evaluate results … beyond PIU towards implementation arrangements EuropeAid Process wise: Partner countries involvement in project design and management accountability of TC providers to partner countries Better monitoring and performance assessment systems 11 A summary of the Guidelines in 6 lines __________ 1. Convert ownership into practice : results, roles, inputs to be defined both for partners and donors 2. Assess/adapt to demand, to context and to existing capacity – and harmonize 3. Let results be the driver 4. Analyse options, look for the right type of provider 5. Track / monitor results, ensure domestic accountability 6. …… think in terms of project implementation arrangements EuropeAid 12 Donor TC inputs & activities Partner-owned TC support Focusing on the partner’s programme __________ Donor TC inputs & activities Activities by partner and by donor TC inputs, under partner leadership is wrongly assumed leading to “may” lead to EuropeAid Sustainable capacity and results Sustainable capacity and results 13 Result-oriented TC support Look for results beyond TC deliverable __________ EuropeAid Start from feasible impact, work backwards to determine if and how TC support may be and feasible relevant Recurrent inputs Internal resourc es TC support Capacity Outputs Outcomes Wider impact CD processes 14 Programme implementation arrangements …Programme implementation arrangement… __________ EuropeAid Five key parameters: 1. Governance and accountability 2. Management set-up 3. Logistical autonomy 4. Relations between TC experts, partners and the EC 5. EC’s and other donors’ roles More autonomous or more integrated depending on purpose / nature of the programme and changing over time !! No blueprint solutions – help partners to get it right and flexible 15 Quality Matrix in a snapshot__________ 1. Demand, 2. Fits the 3. The 4. Link to 5. The adequate ownership and capacity of partners context and existing capacity support is harmonised and sustainability of benefits considered outputs and expected outcomes programme implementation arrangements are appropriate •Commitment and demand •Partner participation • No critical constraints •Existing capacity enable absorption •Similar programmes/TC support has worked • Synergies and harmonisation options explored •Stand-alone TC support clearly justified •Results defined beyond TC deliverables •Partner inputs are specified EuropeAid •PIA is adequate for results •Managerial autonomy is adequate •Partners lead and are accountable to domestic stakeholders 16 Quality Grid: self assessment at country level __________ EuropeAid To be attached to the Action Fiche for “significant” TC operations and all TC focused programmes 1. How have key stakeholders express their demand (…) ? 2. How does the context analysis confirm that TC is the appropriate aid response (…) ? 3. What synergies and harmonization options have been explored (…)? 4. How are outputs and expected outcomes defined (…)? 5. How is the PIA design based on results to be achieved (…)? 17 Axis 3: TC procurement, contracting and other procedures __________ EuropeAid Objectives: More ownership of Partner Governments Facilitate co-financing and delegated cooperation Mobilize public sector expertise, including of MS Improved quality of experts … These objectives are possible with the existing rules and procedures! 18 EuropeAid A menu of options __________ Three levels to consider during Identification and Formulation Who is financing? Who is managing the action What contractual forms Procedures that support the TC reform Results Co-financing: preferably pooled funding under national leadership Better harmonisation of TC Delegated Cooperation: preferably the Partner (Decentralised management) More ownership Possible modes of execution (service contract, grant...) Better CD result 19 Who will be managing the action? __________ Partner country •Decentralised management •More ownership and less // PIU •EC procedure or, eventually, use of partner procedures EuropeAid National body of a donor International organisation • Indirect centralised management • Better coordination of TC • Choice between EC rules or that of the delegated body • Joint management • Better coordination of TC • Procedures of the international organisation !! Don’t forget national leadership 20 How to contract expertise (public administration expertise as example) __________ EuropeAid • Based on a careful institutional and stakeholders analysis, choice the contractual forms: Identification Service contract Grant • Does the context analysis could justify the use of: Identification (2) Formulation Negotiated procedure or others tendering Direct award or call for proposal • Present the options in the identification fiche • Further investigated the feasibility of the preferred options during the formulation 21 When justified…. __________ Direct award of a grant: « Actions with specific caracteristics which require a particular type of body on account of its technical competence, its high degree of specialization or its administrative power » (PRAG) Well proven competence in the AAP/financing decision Informal call of interest to MS EuropeAid Negotiated procedure: « Where services are entrusted to public sector bodies or to non profit institutions /associations and relate to activities of an institutional nature or designed to provide assistance in the social field » (PRAG) Informal call of interest to MS 22 Good practices for more quality CONTENTS Drafting good term of reference take time. Plan ahead! More 14 days necessary for good expertise. Evaluation grid: specify the competencies needed (related to local expertise) as a criteria Check references Evaluation of tenders/standard practices: - organise interview for mid term position (telephone, video) -check references EuropeAid PROCESS Has the partner be the leader in the drafting? Or at least be involved/consulted? Is the partner responsible for the evaluation? If not how is he involved as a voting member in the evaluation? If not key experts must be approved by partner country. They can ask replacement of key experts. Monitoring: assess /fill up forms Is the partner supervising the TC + creation of a database to activities? monitor TC performance 23 EuropeAid 24 Revision of PRAG (finalised end of 2008) __________ EuropeAid Recruitment of individual consultants Interviews and references of experts Mobilisation of public expertise Partner Government ownership (design, evaluation, reporting..) Suspensive clause for EDF Mid-term actions: Database on quality experts Further develop twinning 25 EuropeAid Axis 4: Communication, knowledge management and training __________ Ongoing broad in-house campaign Address broader audience at country level Mobilize and equip internal "strategy communicators/focal points“ Map knowledge centers 26 www.capacity4dev.eu: Facilitating exchanges, collaboration and learning __________ EuropeAid Users: EC family the rest of the world, including partner countries, Member States, other donors, academia and civil society Content: Advanced knowledge management and search capability User empowered (share knowledge, peer support, upload material comment, rate, tag etc) Online work groups, collaboration spaces and tools: both Internal (EC Only) and Public Spaces Dedicated editorial team for high value contents : news, interviews, hands on practical info, cases studies Launch: April 09 27 EuropeAid 28 www.capacity4dev.eu: Structure__________ Vertical navigation: Horizontal access by: 1. Capacity development Region / Country 2. Public Sector Reform Sector (DAC) 3. PFM Type of Content 4. Governance Keyword / Tag 5. Working with TC Date, by Author / submitter… EuropeAid 6. TC and Reforms Contribute to capacity ! Upload contents at www.capacity4dev.eu or send us ideas: [email protected] 29 … and training open to other donors and partners __________ Basic training on TC: …..and more: Hands-on training kit HQ - Syslog - 1,5 day (+ 0.5 days coaching) (FR) 13-14/05/09 (EN) 22-23/06/09 New course on Capacity Development within SWAP at country /sector level Country level – for pilot programmes E-learning – in progress Promote use of internal trainers EuropeAid More training on Public Sector Reforms and on PFM reforms Check on Syslog for upcoming trainings! 30 Axis 5: Implementation / monitoring of the strategy __________ EuropeAid Implementation Framework set up with identified responsibilities at HQ and in Delegations External evaluation of TA launched by the end of 2009 The Panel - Reach out to external partners to dialogue on TC, including partner countries European Court of Auditors announced follow up 31 Implementation at country level __________ EuropeAid January 2009 Mapping of “significant” TC and parallel PIUs Modulate / specify the Concise Country Action Plans strategy at Redress “policy gaps” in significant TC operations country Phase out parallel PIUs existing by 2010 level Improve project implementation arrangements Frame the preparation of TC operations and PIUs Grasp opportunities for enhanced coordination 32 Delegations tasks __________ EuropeAid Dialogue and communication Focus on design and management of programmes – Apply the Guidelines and their quality criteria Look carefully at the annex on procedures – Plenty of new options ! Follow up on the mapping of TC and your action plan Contribute/use the platform « Capacity4dev.eu » Organize training (hands on kit) Call for Directorate E / HQ support Identify innovative programmes and communicate around them to Headquarters 33 How can headquarters support you __________ EuropeAid A menu of possible activities : Tailored training and learning/coaching events Presentations and working sessions with country stakeholders Identification/support to innovations - ad hoc assistance and coaching Promotion of the web platform www.capacity4dev.eu including collecting your views on the platform, etc... Peer support among delegations at regional / sector level and/or partner countries, including reviews of mapping and action plans. Thank you for your attention! __________ EuropeAid For further information: Internet: www.ec.europa.eu/europeaid/what/delivering-aid/aideffectiveness/index_en.htm www.capacity4dev.eu Intranet: www.cc.cec/dgintranet/europeaid/activities/adm/technic al_cooperation/index_en.htm Functional mail box: [email protected] 37 EuropeAid Glossary / Annexes __________ DAC definition: Technical Cooperation DAC definition: Coordinated TC DAC definition: Parallel PIU’s Project implementation arrangement ECA recommendations on TA 38 DAC definition of “Technical cooperation _______ EuropeAid Technical cooperation (also referred to as technical assistance) is the provision of know-how in the form of personnel, training, and research, and associate costs. It comprises: donor-financed activities that augment the level of knowledge skills technical know-how or productive aptitudes of people in developing countries and Services such as consultancy, technical support or the provision of know-how that contribute to the execution of a capital project. The DAC survey of the Paris Declaration uses this definition and adds that “TC should include both free-standing TC and TC that is embedded in investment programmes or is included in programme based approaches”. 39 DAC definition of “Coordinated TC” __________ EuropeAid Coordinated TC meets both criteria below: 1. Have relevant country authorities (government or nongovernment) communicated clear capacity development objectives as part of broader national or sector strategies? (Y/N) 2. Is the technical cooperation aligned with the countries’ capacity development objectives? (Y/N) … and at least one of the criteria below: 3. Do relevant country authorities have control over the technical cooperation? (Y/N) 4. If more than one donor is involved in supporting country programmes, are there arrangements involving the country authorities in place for coordinating the technical cooperation provided by different donors? (Y/N) 40 DAC definition of Parallel PIU __________ EuropeAid A PIU is parallel when it is created and operates outside existing country institutional and administrative structures at the behest of a donor. PIUs are said to be parallel when there are three or more “Yes” to the four questions below (anything less counts as integrated): 1. Are the PIUs accountable to the external funding agencies/donors rather than to the country implementing agencies (ministries, departments, agencies etc)? (Y/N) 2. Are the terms of reference for externally appointed staff determined by the donor (rather than by the country implementing agencies)? (Y/N) 3. Is most of the professional staff appointed by the donor (rather than the country implementing agencies)? (Y/N) 4. Is the salary structure of national staff (including benefits) higher than those of civil service personnel? (Y/N) 41 Programme implementation arrangement __________ EuropeAid Generic term adopted by the EC for the organizational set-up that any project needs for implementation, whether supported by donors or not. A PIA may focuses on how both donor and country partner inputs will be organized and managed Five parameters to consider when defining the PIA: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Governance and accountability Management set-up Logistical autonomy of the PIA Relations between TC experts, partners and the EC EC’s and other donors’ roles in the PIA 42 European Court of Auditors' Report: 8 recommendations on TA__________ EuropeAid 1. Country Strategy Papers to include analysis of institutional weaknesses & capacity needs. 2. Develop TA guidelines. 3. Improve design of capacity development projects. 4. Review TA procedures for preparation/start-up to allow more time for implementation and more flexibility. 43 European Court of Auditors' Report: 8 recommendations on TA__________ EuropeAid 5. Review evaluation criteria in TA tenders to reflect quality and previous experience. 6. Consider more options/choices in procuring technical expertise, e.g. public institutions and beneficiary country/region. 7. Increase use of TA through coordinated programmes and apply implementation arrangement that encourage local ownership. 8. Assess systematically TA performance (management information system). 44