Capacity Development Practice

1. Capacity DevelopmentPractice October 6th, 2008 Bratislava, Slovakia Dafina Gercheva Capacity Development Practice Leader

2. Presentation Outline • UNDP’s Capacity Development Conceptual Framework and the Big Picture • Why are we here? • UN and UNDP’s focus on Capacity Development • CD Practice Services and Resources • Cross-practice collaboration and the Practice Outlook

3. The Playing Field A large leap in demand from our government partners to manage the change process- hence expansion of demand for CD services/products Many countries in the Europe/CIS region have undergone profound transformations but governance challenges remain in terms of (i) weak political interest for further reform and (ii) inadequate state capacity to implement reforms, deliver public services and to be more accountable to citizens Why Are We Here?

4. Why are we here?From Technical Assistance to a CD Approach Facilitating access to knowledge Facilitating multi-stake-holder engagement Capacity Development Technical Assistance Participatory policy dialogue & advocacy Facilitating coaching and mentoring Creating space for learning by doing Supply Driven Demand Driven HD/MD/MDG Goals Input-based Outcome-based (Transformative)

5. Comparing the Old and the New New CD Approach Past TA Approach

6. Comparing the Old and the New New CD Approach Past TA Approach

7. Comparing the Old and the New New CD Approach Past TA Approach

8. It is the “how” of our work, and hence cross cuts all Practices (the “what”) It focuses on 4 core issues as the drivers of change in capacity: leadership, institutional arrangements, knowledge and accountability It prioritizes national assets as the starting point for stakeholder engagement, assessment and response Principles underlying UNDP’s approach to CD

9. It gives a tangible expression to “national ownership”, which is about making informed choices and decisions It focuses on incentives It provides sequenced and systematic approach to growing and sustaining capacities, and brings in the key aspects of capacity retention and utilization Principles underlying UNDP’s approach to CD

10. Principles underlying UNDP’s approach to CD Enabling Environment Organizational Level Individual Level Deepening effective and accountable state-citizen engagement Successful capacity development requires not only skills & organizational procedures, but also incentives & democratic governance

11. A Review of Definitions… Capacity:ability of individuals, organizations, and societies to perform functions, solve problems, and set and achieve objectives in a sustainable manner. Capacity Development:The process through which individuals, organizations and societies obtain, strengthen and maintain the capabilities to achieve their own development objectives over time

12. CD on the UN agenda • In 2004 the UN Triennial Comprehensive Policy Review (TCPR) stressed the need for: • Greater national ownership over development results • Sustainability over time, and • Systemic, coherent and coordinated approach • In the 2005 Paris Declaration that called for: • Coordinated support aligned and consistent with partners’ national development strategies; • Strengthen public financial management capacity • Strengthen national procurement and implementation capacity

13. CD on the UN agenda continued… • 2007 the UN TCPR called for increased attention on CD and confirmed the positioning of CD as the front and the center of the work and mandate of the UN system • Member states acknowledged and clearly indicated that the comparative advantage of the UN is the new CD approach

14. UNDG Position Statement on CD: 18/12/2006

15. UNDG Position Statement on CD • Lays out a new framework for the UN’s work at country level to enhance its contribution to national CD • Sets out key roles for UNCT to consider • Provides access to initial set of tools and resources, including a matrix of optional roles for the UNCTs to undertake during national planning cycle

16. Human development value base Forges partnerships across diverse spheres of influence, supports consultative processes involving all stakeholders and hence provides collective response that is grounded in the specific situation and is jointly owned Focus on a quality process driven by consensus based solutions Recognition of capacity assets UNDP’s added value

17. A systemic approach linked to public policy The UN brand: credible and impartial Support for the long-term- not one off Therefore able to track and measure change in capacity UNDP value added

18. A Review of the CD Process Step 1: Engage Stakeholders on CD Process Step 5: Evaluate CD Capacity Development Process Step 2: Assess Capacity Assets and Needs Step 4: Implement CD Strategies Step 3: Formulate CDStrategies

19. Capacity Assessments

20. UNDP Definition of Capacity Assessment Capacity Assessment:An analysis of current capacities against desired future capacities; this assessment generates an understanding of capacity assets and needs which in turn leads to the formulation of capacity development strategies

21. Why Undertake a CA ? • Brings rigor and a systematic method for assessing capacity needs, establishing priorities and sequencing of interventions (as opposed to wishful shopping lists) • Identifies the more profound systemic challenges, shifting the capacity development question from one of technical cooperation to a more holistic framework • Can help confirm priorities and build consensus  moving forward off of a common platform.

22. Key Questions for a CA • Capacity for Why? • Capacity for Whom? • Capacity for What?

23. Elements of the CA Framework 1.Points of Entry 2.Functional Capacities (within a Sector/Theme Context) + Technical Capacities 3.Core Issues

24. Technical & Functional Capacities • Technical Capacities– Associated with particular areas of professional expertise or knowledge (e.g., agricultural extension, health, education). UN specialized agencies’ areas. • Functional Capacities – Activities associated with the formulation, implementation and evaluation of policy, programmes and projects; relevant in all situations irrespective of sector/organization • Engage with Stakeholders • Assess a Situation and Define a Vision and Mandate • Formulate Policies and Strategies • Budget, Manage and Implement • Monitor and Evaluate

25. Core Issues Institutional Arrangements – ensuring effectively functioning national/local institutions for societal, economic, and human development (e.g., mission and strategy, business processes, human resources, physical resources).Frequently a requested core issue in the Europe and CIS Region. Leadership – fostering good leadership maximizes capacity investments Knowledge – CD is underpinned by knowledge or what people know Mutual Accountability – efficient, responsive, transparent and accountable public administration key to sustainable development.Another frequently requested issue.

26. CDG Services and Resources • Policy Advice, Consulting Services on CD, and Programmatic Support to COs and UNCT • CD and CA training for COs and UNCT • e.g. Regional training - UN agencies, BRC, COs, experts (Bratislava 2007) • CA scoping exercise and support to full CA exercise • CD responses design • M&E CD results

27. CDG Services and Resources • Global and Multi-Country Programming • CD of national actors to engage on PPP for service delivery • National implementation and procurement capacities(includingUNDP Procurement Capacity Development Centre) • CD for national aid effectiveness

28. CDG Services and Resources • Knowledge Management • Applied research on CD in different thematic areas • Knowledge products • e.g. Municipal performance management guide • Codification of empirical evidences and knowledge base • Partnerships • Community of Practice • e.g. CD COP Sofia, 29-30 September 2008

29. Cross-Practice Collaboration • 1/ With LGD team: • Capacity Assessment of Kazakhstan Shymkent Oblast • Capacity Assessment of Department of Revenues Policy of the Turkish Ministry of Finance • Capacity Assessment of selected municipalities in Serbia and Kosovo

30. Cross-Practice Collaboration • 1/ With LGD team: • Capacity assessment of selected municipalities in the Kvemo Kartli region and the regional administration • Support to analysis of findings and formulation of CD responses targeting regional and local government from an institutional perspective • Definition of monitoring indicators and responsible parties and partners for the implementation of the CD responses

31. Cross-Practice Collaboration • 1/ With LGD team: • Capacity assessment tool targeting the municipal Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) absorption capacities • Capacity Assessment tool to strengthen the capacity of local authorities to deliver quality public services

32. Cross-Practice Collaboration • 2/ With HRAJ team: • Support provided to the Ministry of Justice in Turkey to build consensus for a far-reaching judicial reform based on a capacity development approach • Capacity Assessment of Human Rights Institution in Croatia

33. Cross-Practice Collaboration • 3/ With PAR and AC team: • Capacity Assessment tool to strengthen AC institutions in Kosovo, Montenegro and Tajikistan developed and will be tested in the fall

34. Cross-Practice Collaboration • 4/ With HIV/AIDS team: • Developing a capacity assessment tool to strengthen the capacity of local authorities to combat HIV/AIDS through the provision of services within the scope of “Access to all”

35. The Way Forward: • Branching out to engage other practices and cross-cutting themes and joint programming Bring the CD portfolio to scale and pilot-test innovations which go beyond the conventional/silos type of approach and business-as-usual mode of operation; • Taking stock of the past work, learning from it, and bringing the CD portfolio to scale

36. The Way Forward: • Establishing a strong analytical knowledge base through the development of a robust set of case studies and collection of empirical evidence • Brokering new and innovative partnerships that bring rigor and powerful drive for change and social transformation

37. Resources and Links: • Resources: • UNDP Capacity Development Practice Note • UNDP Capacity Assessment Practice Note • Supporting Capacity Development: The UNDP Approach • Links: • UNDP Capacity Development • UNDP Capacity Development RBEC (under construction) • UNDP Procurement Capacity Development Centre • Capacity.org – A gateway for capacity development

38. Thank You