Good practices for WGs

As defined in note dated 09/2009

Task Force on Working Groups and Division of Labour

Bruno Leclerc - AFD

New HOCs/donors focal points meeting

Maputo, September 29th 2009

Good Practices for WGsSummary

I. Introduction : usual practices

II. Objectives

III. Guiding Principles

IV. Good practices for WGs

1. to improve the functioning of the Group (organization, methods planning)

2. to strenghten harmonization with PARPA implementation

V. What the HoCs should do in general

VI. What the HOCs whose institution is chairing a WG should do

VII. What the TF on WGs/DoL should do

A sector WG includes members from both GoM and donors

A sector WG is chaired by GoM

Donors appoint a donor focal point

Different levels of meetings : Minister, directorates, departments

Donors-only meetings to prepare meetings with GoM and positions

In some cases, sub WGs

Good Practices for WGsI. - Introduction : usual practice

II. Objectives improve quality of partners contributions to the

sector policy dialogue

increase efficiency, with a more result-oriented approach

increase consistency across sectors

III. Guiding Principles

a) In general

avoid multiplication of groups and sub-groups

strive for consistency and stability within groups

consider more systematically involving civil society

b) For donors

Be more active in less WGs

Good Practices for WGsII. - Objectives - III - guiding principles

IV.1.1 To improve functioning in terms of organization

a) In generalo temporary task forces for specific issues

o do not rule out donors who are not financing the sector directly

o Technical Assistants may participate as resource persons

b) For donors

o promote system of troika or chair/vice-chairo identify core group of active memberso distribution of members in active, attending, informed

Good Practices for WGsIV - Good practices

IV.1.2 To improve functioning in terms of methods

a) In generalo clear ToRs (objectives, organization etc.)o annual result oriented working plan (responsibilities, calendar, outputs)o annual reports against annual working planso joint analytical workso joint field visitso joint mapping of GoM/donors activities in the sectoro planning of the agendas of the WG meetingso use the Joint Review to strengthen the dialogue with GoM

b) For donorso make the WG work between the JRso contract out consultants or young professionalso promote joint supervision HQs missions among donorso use the PAPs website to share informationo careful in the use of email

Good Practices for WGsIV - Good practices

IV.1.3 To improve functioning in terms of planningo balanced number of focal points by donorso general principle (with flexibility):

o troika for bigger WGs,o focal point and co-focal point for others

o focal points are decided by WG memberso have at least a 2 year planning of the focal pointso flexibility is accepted in the 2 year planningo duration of chair is flexible (1 year or more)

o if 2 years chair, discussion on collective assessment of the focal donor performance is advised after the 1° year

o rotation of focal points would be around the JR (04-05)

Good Practices for WGsIV - Good practices

IV.2. Good practices for WGs to strenghten harmonisation with PARPA implementation

a) In general

o improve the coordination between WGs (include economists in the main WGs)

o have a specific focus on capacity development

b) For donors

o nominate members of the donors-only WG to participate in other sector WGs

o improve harmonization between sector MoUs and GBS MoU, link with PAPs PAF targets

Good Practices for WGsIV - Good practices

V. What the HoCs should do in generalo identify gaps and duplication across sector WGso ensure a better distribution of staff among WGso ensure a better division of labour inside their organization

VI. What the HoCs whose institution is focal donor should do

o have close contacts with the GoM chair of the WG (incl. Minister)o invest time in building relationshipo focus on system strenghtening and results to achieveo increase the link between HoCs and sector coordinators/specialistso participate to WG meetings when necessaryo organize periodic meetings with donors WG members and HoCso develop discussions on issues of cross-sectorial importance

Good Practices for WGsV and VI - What the HOCs should do

o link and work with GoM

o stimulate the implementation of the note on good practices for WGs

o disseminate the good practices among donors

o update regularly the mapping on WGs

o Prepare annual action plans of the TF and report regularly to G19/DPG

o Organize short information sessions on the good practices for new focal points and new HOCs in June-September

Good Practices for WGsVII - What the TF on WGs-DoL should do

o attending members. Do we agree?

o streamlining WGs architecture. How?

o Responsibilities of donor focal points. Too much? Not enough?

o Responsibilities of HOCs. Too much? Not enough?

o Training on how to manage a meeting. Would it be useful? When?

Good Practices for WGsIssues for discussion

Thank you for your attention