Somalia - Improving Financial Planning and Management

1. Somalia - Improving Financial Planning and Management ICGFM Miami Conference 2007 Presented by: Michael Parry (IMCL) Mohamed Barre (UNDP) Sam Lugumba (UFH) The World Bank IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

2. Somalia Background Somalia in Brief • Population: • 8 – 10 Million • Economy: • Livestock, trade, agriculture • Politics: • unstable over 16 years • Tertiary institutions supported are in all zones of Somalia: • Somaliland • Puntland • South-Central – Mogadishu IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

3. Project Objective • 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. IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

4. Background • Project duration, August 2005 – September 2007 • Local Implementation – Six Somali universities • University of Hargeisa • Amoud University • East Africa University • Mogadishu University • Somali Institute of Management and administration Development (SIMAD) • Puntland State University IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

5. Activities • Preparatory courses: Phase I [4 months] • Principles of Economics, Finance, Accounting, Basic Computer Skills and English language (face to face), Budgeting (online distance learning - ODL) • Main course (ODL) – 5 Units: Phase II [9 months] • Recording financial transactions, • Information for management control • Maintaining financial records • Accounting for costs • Public financial management • Overseas training: Phase III [2 weeks] IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

6. The PartnershipTeam 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 • sound, robust and sustainable in the long-term, with sufficient flexibility to cater for potential variability, over the project lifetime IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

7. Organisations Involved • Donor Organisations • UNDP, with funding assistance from • World Bank • DFID • Local Universities • Six Somali based universities • International Firms • IMCL • University of Fort Hare IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

8. Role of the DonorsUNDP Project - funding assistance from World Bank & DFID • 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 IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

9. Role of the Somali Universities • 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 IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

10. Role of International Management Consultants Limited (IMCL) • 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 IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

11. Role of University of Fort Hare (UFH) • 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 IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

12. ODL Learning Process • Selection criteria: • Employee [public or private], education and/or practical experience • Selection process: • Application, screening & tests • Course website developed: • www.somaliodl.net • Access given to student and tutors (User name and Password) IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

13. ODL Learning Process • Learning Material: • 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 IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

14. ODL Learning Process • Re-Sit Exams: • One chance on payment • Certification: • University of Fort Hare, South Africa • External Training: • One/two weeks study tour in another African country for selected course graduates IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

15. Student Contributions • Course is subsidized by the project • Students pay monthly fee to their universities • Private sector $20 • Public Sector $10 • Purpose of charging is • Ownership • Commitment • Sustainability IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

16. Anticipated Outputs / Impacts • 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 IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

17. Progress to date • 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 IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

18. Challenges • 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 IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

19. Challenges • 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 IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

20. Challenges • Public Sector Skills & Expertise • ODL vs traditional learning • Capacity across government organs • Changes in workforce demographics IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

21. Successes • Strong feasibility study standards • Communications • Political Commitment • Student Participation IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

22. Lessons Learned • Mixed mode learning benefits • Online, Face-to-face and Offline learning • Development in conflict zone • Taking exams at the same time at six locations • Contributions from students • Public and Private • Networking of partners • Consortium • Training of trainers and Students • Professional developments opportunities • PFM, CAT, ACCA, CPA & Examination centers • Motivation IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

23. Lessons LearnedOngoing communication between parties is key • 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 IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

24. Prospects • Local Institutions: • Skills Transfer • Sustainability • External Stakeholders: • Mobilization • Networking & Relations • Common Approach IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

25. Conclusions • 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 IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

26. Course Evaluation Model • Continuous program evaluation process to measure the impact and value of the services rendered • Model is based on the Donald Kirkpatrick Model of Evaluation IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

27. Course Evaluation Model • This model seeks to evaluate support activities: • 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 IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

28. Contacts UNDP-Somalia • Project Manager • Mohamed Barre: mohamed.barre@undp.org • Chief Technical Advisor • Mike Bicker: mike.bicker@undp.org IMCL & UFH • ODL Course Manager (IMCL) • Chris Rowe: somaliodl@imcl.co.uk • UFH Coordinator (UFH) • Samuel Lugumba: slugumba@pfsa.ufh.ac.za IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

29. Websites • Somali Universities • 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 IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

30. Websites • Donors • World Bank, www.worldbank.org • UNDP, www.so.undp.org • DFID, www.dfid.org.uk • Course Providers • IMCL, www.imcl.co.uk • University of Fort Hare, www.pfsa.ufh.ac.za IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami

31. The End Questions? Comments! IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami