Strengthening Guatemala’s Food and Nutritional Security Secretariat

In 2012, the Government of Guatemala (GOG) set a goal to reduce chronic malnutrition by 10 percent in four years and child mortality caused by severe acute malnutrition. The Zero Hunger Pact Plan facilitates a coordinated effort between government institutions to address vulnerable populations with specialized interventions in prioritized territories. SESAN serves as the Secretariat of the National Council of Food and Nutritional Security (CONASAN) and is mandated to establish technical planning and coordination procedures for GOG and other actors involved in food security and nutrition (SAN). This includes monitoring and evaluating the status of SAN's interventions made at field level. To support SESAN's capacities, the USAID Policy Regulatory Support for Economic Growth (PRS) project proposed an organizational structure in cooperation with SESAN staff. The proposed organizational structure is based on the analysis of macro-processes, processes, and products that SESAN must conduct according to its legal mandate. These include SAN's Strategic Plan, the Zero Hunger Pact Plan, and the Institutional Strategic Plan developed in 2012 with the support of the PRS Project. The PRS Project and SESAN established delivery methods, leaders, and necessary supplies for each product. The organizational structure was developed through an analysis of basic areas, including SAN's information system, impact and communication, internal and external training, planning, institutional building of institutions linked to SAN, follow-up and evaluation, external cooperation networking, administration, and finances. A technical committee formed by directors of these basic areas and in coordination with the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of SESAN ensured success through continuous feedback and approval of the proposal. Implementation of the proposed organizational structure was communicated to all SESAN staff by the Secretary on December 12, 2012. The structure includes various products and processes, such as the Sistema de Indicadores SAN, Informe Mensual SAN, and Monitoreo integral de las acciones de SAN en los hogares con casos de desnutrición aguda. These products and processes aim to support SESAN's mandate and contribute to the reduction of chronic malnutrition in Guatemala.