IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami1 Somalia - Improving Financial Planning and Management ICGFM Miami Conference 2007 Presented by: Michael Parry (IMCL)

IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami 1

Somalia - Improving Financial Planning and Management

ICGFM Miami Conference 2007 Presented by: Michael Parry (IMCL)Mohamed Barre (UNDP)Sam Lugumba (UFH)

The World Bank

DFIDDepartment forInternationalDevelopment


Somalia Background

Somalia in Brief Population:

8 – 10 Million Economy:

Livestock, trade, agriculture Politics:

unstable over 16 years Tertiary institutions

supported are in all zones of Somalia: Somaliland Puntland South-Central – Mogadishu


Project Objective

The Capacity Building for Somali Planners Project (CBSP) aims to develop the capacity of financial planners, as a means of fostering economic growth in Somalia.


Background

Project duration, August 2005 – September 2007 Local Implementation – Six Somali universities

University of Hargeisa Amoud University East Africa University Mogadishu University Somali Institute of Management and administration

Development (SIMAD) Puntland State University


Activities

Preparatory courses: Phase I [4 months] Principles of Economics, Finance, Accounting, Basic Computer

Skills and English language (face to face), Budgeting (online distance learning - ODL)

Main course (ODL) – 5 Units: Phase II [9 months] Recording financial transactions, Information for management control Maintaining financial records Accounting for costs Public financial management

Overseas training: Phase III [2 weeks]


The PartnershipTeam made up of multi-disciplined individuals

Our Core Competencies: A large pool of technical specialists and

jurisdictional knowledge (e.g. cross border, accounting, financial management systems)

Project structure sound, robust and sustainable in the long-term, with

sufficient flexibility to cater for potential variability, over the project lifetime


Organisations Involved

Donor Organisations UNDP, with funding assistance

from World Bank DFID

Local Universities Six Somali based universities

International Firms IMCL University of Fort Hare


Role of the DonorsUNDP Project - funding assistance from World Bank & DFID

Project Management Contracting the six Somali Institutions to run the course Coordination of Field Visits and Training of Trainers Upgrading of IT Facilities at Somali universities External Examination Invigilation and Logistical Support Distribution of Exam Papers to Somali Institutions Delivering completed exam transcripts to UFH


Role of the Somali Universities

Registration of Students Face-to-face tutorial support to

students IT facilities Review of custom developed

course material Marking of mid-term assessments Up-loading midterm results to the

website Invigilation of final examinations


Role of International Management Consultants Limited (IMCL)

Design of syllabus Purchase of pre-prepared course material Preparation of custom designed course material Training of Somali Tutors Design, build and maintenance of course website (together

with external IT firm) Quality assurance during the design of mid-term

assessments and final examinations Course coordination and management


Role of University of Fort Hare (UFH)

Training of Somali Tutors Preparation of custom designed course material Provison of ongoing remote support to Somali Tutors Design of mid-term assessments and final examinations Marking of final exams and course Certification Course Evaluation


ODL Learning Process

1. Selection criteria: Employee [public or private],

education and/or practical experience

2. Selection process: Application, screening & tests

3. Course website developed: www.somaliodl.net Access given to student and

tutors (User name and Password)



4. Learning Material: Study Text I-Learn online/offline study aid (Web and CDs) Online Query Board (Students and tutors) Tutorial Material and classes (Face-to-Face (F2F) and Online) Assessments: Weekly assignments uploaded Schedules: Text Study, midterm assessments, and final exams



5. Re-Sit Exams: One chance on payment

6. Certification: University of Fort Hare, South Africa

7. External Training: One/two weeks study tour in another African country for selected

course graduates


Student Contributions

Course is subsidized by the project

Students pay monthly fee to their universities Private sector $20 Public Sector $10

Purpose of charging is Ownership Commitment Sustainability


Anticipated Outputs / Impacts

100 participants with Certificate in Financial Planning and Management

Pool of competent financial managers for the government and private business

Enhanced performance of participating civil servants Strengthened Somali human resource base Approximately 30 participants with exposure to financial

management systems in other countries


Progress to date

Six universities have internet [VSAT] Additional (face to face) support is provided 200 employees from public and private sector currently

enrolled 20 tutors/lecturers are involved Low attrition rate to date Excellent first semester examination pass rate Global knowledge and information sharing Networking


Challenges

Inadequate human, financial and infrastructural capacity in the region emerged as being integral to the core challenges confronted by the public sector

Political instability/uncertainty Integration and co-ordination of

capacity building support initiatives


Challenges

ODL concept is unknown in Somalia Limited technology Low bandwidth – limited speed Lack of qualified tutors Ability to tailor material to local PFM system Quality control Obtaining accreditation High cost of E-learning


Challenges

Public Sector Skills & Expertise ODL vs traditional learning Capacity across government

organs Changes in workforce

demographics


Successes

Strong feasibility study standards

Communications Political Commitment Student Participation


Lessons Learned Mixed mode learning benefits

Online, Face-to-face and Offline learning Development in conflict zone

Taking exams at the same time at six locations Contributions from students

Public and Private Networking of partners

Consortium Training of trainers and Students

Professional developments opportunities PFM, CAT, ACCA, CPA & Examination centers

Motivation


Lessons LearnedOngoing communication between parties is key

Strong project champions – initial and ongoing

Flexibility and simplicity Importance of establishing training

and development centres Centralized information source Coordinated and accredited

programs Ongoing relationship


Prospects

Local Institutions: Skills Transfer Sustainability

External Stakeholders: Mobilization Networking & Relations Common Approach


Conclusions Online Distance Learning is

gaining international acceptance as a preferred mode of delivery for capacity building initiatives

Efficiencies obtained and costs saved should compensate for the challenges experienced.

Coordination and alignment of institutional support is key to the success of any capacity building exercise


Course Evaluation Model

Continuous program evaluation process to measure the impact and value of the services rendered

Model is based on the Donald Kirkpatrick Model of Evaluation

4.Results

4.Results

3.Behaviour

3.Behaviour

2.c.Facilitatio

n

2.c.Facilitatio

n

2.b.Learning

2.b.Learning

2.a. Reaction

2.a. Reaction

1. Climate

1. Climate

Evaluation Focus

Evaluation FocusExternal DriversExternal Drivers

Internal Drivers

Internal Drivers


Course Evaluation Model

This model seeks to evaluate support activities: effectiveness; gaining information on how to improve the support; informing decision making and interventions/solution design deciding whether to continue or discontinue support activities or

programs; worth/value of support activities; assessing the impact in terms of relevance, practicality and

customization of support interventions; and informing the Total Quality Management System of the Consortia


Contacts

UNDP-Somalia Project Manager

• Mohamed Barre: [email protected] Chief Technical Advisor

• Mike Bicker: [email protected]

IMCL & UFH ODL Course Manager (IMCL)

• Chris Rowe: [email protected] UFH Coordinator (UFH)

• Samuel Lugumba: [email protected]


Websites

Somali Universities University of Hargeisa, http://hargeisauniversity.net Amoud University, www.amouduniversity.net East Africa University, www.bosaso-university.net Mogadishu University, www.mogadishuuniversity.com SIMAD, http://simadsom.org Puntland State University, www.puntlandstateuniversity.com


Websites

Donors World Bank, www.worldbank.org UNDP, www.so.undp.org DFID, www.dfid.org.uk

Course Providers IMCL, www.imcl.co.uk University of Fort Hare, www.pfsa.ufh.ac.za


The End

Questions?Comments!

Documents

IMCL-UNDP-UFH - May 2007 @ ICGFM Miami1 Somalia - Improving Financial Planning and Management ICGFM Miami Conference 2007 Presented by: Michael Parry (IMCL)