SECTOR-WIDE APPROACH –a Planning Tool for Samoa

Ms. Makerita Luatimu – Tiotio (Public Administration Sector Coordinator) Mr. Talatalaga Matau – (ACEO: Human Resources Management information

System)

Samoa Public Service Commission Office

26 September 2013Apia, Samoa

Outline• Context• Definitions• SWAp Details• GoS Planning Framework• What is a Sector & a Sector Program?• Conditions for a Successful Sector Program• Role of Government• Case Study

ContextGovernment of Samoa (GoS) adopted sector-wide approach in the mid-2000 to promote:• Change from narrow agency-based

projects• Move from fragmented agency outputs to

more harmonized sector outcomes• Greater agency participation• Ownership by more not less• Broader sectoral partnership

Definition

“process in which funding for the sector, internal or from donors, supports a single policy and expenditure program, under partner stakeholder leadership, and adopting common methodologies across the sector”

SWAp Details

Represents 2 interlinked concepts:1) ‘Sector-Wide’ - scope for planning and

implementation

2) ‘Approach’ - emphasizes the following key areas: • Partnership with relevant stakeholders• Joint ownership & leadership;• Alignment to national processes and systems; • Harmonization of sector resources; • Achieving sector outcomes/impacts

SWAp Detail’s cont’d

• Way of improving funding effectiveness

• Mechanism through which support to public expenditure programs can be better coordinated

SWAp Details cont’d

Main Components• Clear nationally-owned sector policies and

strategies• Medium term expenditure framework• Systematic arrangements for programming• Performance monitoring system

What is a Sector?

“A sector covers thematically linked activities involving government, non-government and private participation” (NZAid, 2006)

A Sector Program is:“a specific, set of activities which supports an

approved strategy using a sector wide approach”

GoS Planning Framework

Management Plans (Divisional Level)

Corporate Plans (Ministry Level )

Sector Plans (Sectoral Level)

Strategy for the Development of Samoa (SDS) 2012 - 2016

Conditions for successful Sector Program

• Strong and effective leadership• Commitment by government and all relevant

stakeholders• Broad consensus between stakeholders on key

policy for the sector• Financial accountability of sector players

Role of GoS

• Provide overall leadership

• Support resourcing

• Solicit relevant funding

• Encourage sector participation and ownership

• Promote sound program governance and transparent

financial systems

• Ensure wider stakeholder consultations

Benefits of SWAp

1. Stronger partnerships

2. Ownership by all

sector stakeholders

3. Dialogue by sector

partners on sector

policy issues

4. Greater accountability

5. Shift from measuring agency outputs to sector outcomes

7. Greater focus on

capacity building

8. Increased resource

allocation to under

resourced sectors

Case Study- Public Administration Sector

Background• Comprise all GoS Ministries

• Lead agencies – PSC, MoF, MPMC

• Formulate & Implement first sector plan

• Review first sector plan

• Develop second sector plan

Case Study cont’dChallenges• Change from agency-based/project-based

activities to sector-based programs• Limited inter-agency collaboration• Sharing of data

Case Study cont’dKey Lessons Learned• Poor service delivery• Limited inter-agency cooperation• Limited information sharing• Lack of informed decision making

Case Study cont’dWay Forward• Complete new Sector Plan, focusing on 3 main

priorities:1. Improving the quality of public service delivery;

2. Improving human resources capabilities; and

3. Improving public sector integrity and culture

• Strengthen collaboration with private sector and civil society

Thank You