UN System Support to AU Capacity Building Programme RCM-Africa Secretariat 21-22 November 2011

1. 12th Session of RCM-Africa UN System Support to AU Capacity Building Programme RCM-Africa Secretariat 21-22 November 2011 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

2. Outline • Context • Programming Framework • Methodology • Key Elements of the Work Programme • Challenges in Implementing Work Programme • Way Forward

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Methodology for Developing Work Programme • Results-based Template developed by Secretariat and modified at AU-UN Retreat on TYCBP-AU • Programme Focus Group Approach • Template populated by cluster members (AU + UN) • Capacity gaps identified at Retreat informed populating of template • Consultations 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Typical Capacity Gaps • Strengthening Result-Based Management (RBM) skills • Pogramme design and implementation • M&E • Understaffed Departments/Divisions • Inadequate skills in policy formulation and analysis • Drafting technical documents • Policy research and reporting • Developing strategy papers and action plans • Developing required databases

12. Typical Intervention Areas • Training • E.g. in advocacy for increased investments in water and sanitation • Technical Assistance • E.g. in conflict anticipation and prevention • Advisory services • E.g. in building research capacity • Funding

13. Template of AUC Capacity Development Gaps and Proposed Responses

14. Sample Work Programme – Environment, Population & Urbanisation Cluster

15. Challenges in Implementing Work Programme • Resource mobilisation • Where should the resources come from? • How should resources mobilised for joint capacity building activities be governed • Monitoring and Evaluation • Putting together an M&E framework to track results from capacity building activities • Tracking changing capacity building needs

16. Challenges in Implementing Work Programme (con’t) • Dealing with size and scope of AU and its organs • What should be the sequence in dealing with AU organs/NPCA/RECs • What is the appropriate timeframe for the Work Programme • How should capacity needs of AU Departments that are not members of RCM-Africa taken on board

17. 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

18. Conclusion • 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

19. Thanks