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12th Session of RCM-Africa

UN System Support to AU Capacity Building Programme

RCM-Africa Secretariat

21-22 November 2011Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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OutlineOutline• Context• Programming Framework• Methodology• Key Elements of the Work

Programme• Challenges in Implementing

Work Programme• Way Forward

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Context• First Triennial Review of TYCBP-AU undertaken in

2010• Independent Review concluded that progress in

implementation is hampered by absence of Work Programme

• 11th session of RCM-Africa deliberated on Triennial Review:

Recommended that a comprehensive Work Programme be developed

Requested RCM-Africa Secretariat to lead development of Work Programme

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Programming Framework• Results-Based Management Framework adopted for

Work Programme• Choice of RBM based on recommendations of RCM-

Africa for clusters and sub-clusters to focus on results

• UN system has already adopted RBM as the management approach

• AUC/NPCA/RECs have also adopted RBM

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Strategy in Developing Work Programme

• Work Pogramme envisaged to be a rolling programme to be developed in phases (submissions by clusters constitute the 1st phase for 2011)

• This 1st Phase contains quick win activities that do not necessarily require comprehensive assessments

• It also contains some ongoing capacity building activities of cluster members

• This current phase will be updated based on emerging AU capacity building needs

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Key Elements of Work Programme

• Design of Cluster Work Programme Matrix took into consideration:

Definition of Capacity Building adopted at RCM 11

Proposed AUC Institutional Capacity Building Programme - ICBP Capacity Development Strategic Framework (CDSF) - spearheaded by NEPAD Agency

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Key Elements of Work Programme (con’t)

• Matrix structured according 9 RCM-Clusters • An additional section on operations• Objectives• Expected Accomplishments• Performance Indicators• Activities• Responsible organisations and agencies• Resource requirements

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Methodology for Developing Work Programme

• Results-based Template developed by Secretariat and modified at AU-UN Retreat on TYCBP-AU

• Programme Focus Group ApproachTemplate populated by cluster members (AU + UN)Capacity gaps identified at Retreat informed populating of

templateConsultations among cluster members continued after

Retreat and finalised Cluster Work Programmes submitted to Secretariat

Draft Work Pogramme based on submissions by AU-UN RCM-Africa clusters

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Methodology for Developing Work Programme (con’t)

• Three Consultants engaged to undertake capacity needs assessment of AUC

• Consultants conducted direct interviews and held broad consultations with key AUC officials

• AUC capacity gaps were identified, based on interviews and consultations,

• Many issues raised at AU-UN Retreat confirmed by interviews

• Outcome of assessment will form basis of programme prepared by clusters

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Scope of AUC Needs Assessment

• Extensive consultations with Commissioners, Directors, and other senior AUC officials

• Commission-wide requirements• 20 Departments/Divisions extensively assessed• Assessment covered administrative and support

areas• Specific requirements of technical Departments• Highlight of capacity challenges, specific capacity

gap, and proposed interventions

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Typical Capacity Gaps• Strengthening Result-Based Management (RBM) skills Pogramme design and implementationM&E• Understaffed Departments/Divisions• Inadequate skills in policy formulation and analysis Drafting technical documentsPolicy research and reportingDeveloping strategy papers and action plansDeveloping required databases

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Typical Intervention Areas

• TrainingE.g. in advocacy for increased investments in

water and sanitation• Technical AssistanceE.g. in conflict anticipation and prevention• Advisory servicesE.g. in building research capacity• Funding

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Template of AUC Capacity Development Gaps and Proposed Responses

Program/ Department/Division

Outcome Capacity Challenges

Specific CD Gap

Proposed Intervention

Political Affairs

Enabling political environment being established by MS

MS adopt anti-corruption measures

Political architecture unable to take off due to resources problem;Ineffective election monitoring due to staff shortage

Lack of capacity to formulate human rights strategy

Lack of staff capacity to monitor 18 elections….

TA for human rights strategy formulationFunding support for launching AGAAS in developing roster of election observers

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Sample Work Programme – Environment, Population & Urbanisation Cluster

Capacity Building Component

Objective Expected Accomplishments

Performance Indicators

Activities

Responsibilities

Timeframe

Resource Requirement

1.Critical mass of skills

Build capacities to promote sustainable natural resources development and management

Capacity of AUC enhanced in: mainstreaming climate change….

No of trained staff and projects developed

Development of training materials and tools ; undertake training of AUC

AUCUN

Two years

(most clusters did not cost their capacity building interventions)

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Challenges in Implementing Work Programme

• Resource mobilisationWhere should the resources come from?How should resources mobilised for joint

capacity building activities be governed• Monitoring and EvaluationPutting together an M&E framework to track

results from capacity building activitiesTracking changing capacity building needs

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Challenges in Implementing Work Programme (con’t)

• Dealing with size and scope of AU and its organsWhat should be the sequence in dealing with AU

organs/NPCA/RECsWhat is the appropriate timeframe for the Work

ProgrammeHow should capacity needs of AU Departments that

are not members of RCM-Africa taken on board

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Way Forward• Finalise report of consultants based on review by

clusters• Update the clusters proposed work programmes based

on finalised report• Cluster should prepare annual Programme

Implementation Plans (PIPs) from the Capacity Building Work Programme by January 2012

• This PIPs should be integral parts of their annual work plans

• The needs assessment undertaken should be a useful resource in developing this annual plans

• A mid-term review of the PIP by May-June

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ConclusionConclusion• Work Programme provides good basis for triennial

reviews of TYCBP-AU• Annual sessions of RCM-Africa and Policy Organs of

AU, particularly Executive Council, provide forum for reporting progress in the Work Programme

• Clusters should include updates on implementation of Work Programme in their annual reports

• Overall, Work Programme provides opportunity for strengthening UN-AU partnership between now and 2016

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Thanks