Quarterly Progress Report 11: Developing National Capacity in Public Management

Government's National Capacity Development (NCD) Program, with the overall goal of building the capacity of key Iraqi ministries to deliver core services. The program focuses on developing national capacity in public management, with a conviction that improving ministries' performance in core administrative functions contributes significantly to the ultimate goal of improving public service delivery for the benefit of Iraqi citizens. Engagement with key ministries and executive offices is a crucial aspect of the USAID/Tatweer program. The program works directly with ten central ministries, including the Ministries of Agriculture, Displacement and Migration, Environment, Health, Human Rights, Industry, Justice, Oil, Planning, and Water Resources. Additionally, USAID/Tatweer engages with key executive offices, including the President's Office, the Prime Minister's Office, the two Deputy Prime Ministers' Offices, and the Council of Ministers Secretariat. USAID/Tatweer ministry engagement teams provide assistance for improving management systems, coordinate and follow up with USAID/Tatweer training to maximize its impact on administrative skills, and build the ministries' capacity to assess their own systems and identify practical improvements in the delivery of services to their customers among the Iraqi people. The program's engagement with key ministries and executive offices is designed to enhance the capacity of these institutions to deliver core services, improve public service delivery, and contribute to the overall stability and prosperity of Iraq. The USAID/Tatweer program has made significant progress in its engagement with key ministries and executive offices. During the January-March 2009 quarter, the program provided technical assistance to the Ministries of Agriculture, Displacement and Migration, Environment, Health, Human Rights, Industry, Justice, Oil, Planning, and Water Resources. The program also conducted training sessions for ministry officials on topics such as leadership and communication, project management, and utilization of information technology. In addition to its engagement with key ministries and executive offices, the USAID/Tatweer program has also made progress in its implementation of the National Capacity Development Program. The program has established a Capacity Development Unit (CDU) to provide technical assistance to ministries and executive offices, and has developed a Capacity Development Plan (CDP) to guide the program's activities. The program has also established a Performance Evaluation Unit (PEU) to monitor and evaluate the program's progress and impact. Overall, the USAID/Tatweer program has made significant progress in its engagement with key ministries and executive offices, and in its implementation of the National Capacity Development Program. The program's efforts are designed to enhance the capacity of these institutions to deliver core services, improve public service delivery, and contribute to the overall stability and prosperity of Iraq. The program's progress is reflected in the following key performance indicators: * Strengthened Core Public Administration Skills: The program has provided technical assistance to ministries and executive offices on topics such as leadership and communication, project management, and utilization of information technology. * Ministries Establish More Effective Administrative Systems: The program has assisted ministries in developing and implementing effective administrative systems, including human resource management systems and financial management systems. * Public Administration Training Capacity Expanded: The program has expanded the capacity of ministries and executive offices to provide training to their officials, including training on topics such as leadership and communication, project management, and utilization of information technology. The program's progress is also reflected in the following output indicators: * Output Indicator 1: The program has provided technical assistance to 10 central ministries and key executive offices on topics such as leadership and communication, project management, and utilization of information technology. * Output Indicator 2: The program has assisted ministries in developing and implementing effective administrative systems, including human resource management systems and financial management systems.