Setting up SAKSS Governance Structure and Analytical Network in Southern Africa Greenwell Matchaya, Coordinator for ReSAKSS Southern Africa (SA), International Water Management Institute (IWMI), South Africa g.matchaya@cigar.org

ReSAKSS Efforts for SAKSS Establishment Outline What a country SAKSS platform is, Why it is needed; Progress to date; Plans for 2017 and beyond

The need for SAKSS Urgency: Knowledge Gaps Paucity of data to guide decision making Absence of enough analytical work to guide decision Lack of capacity in generating and utilization of evidence in decision making Don’t know much about how our policies and investments will achieve our development objectives Vision Generate knowledge to facilitate evidence based policy planning and decision making

What is a SAKSS? SAKSS is a network of people and institutions that provides timely, credible, and evidence-based knowledge and analysis to inform agricultural and rural development The individuals are linked through collaborative research (strategic analysis), capacity strengthening, and dialogue. Knowledge support system: A network that serves the evidence needs of strategy formulation and implementation.

Strategic Components of SAKSS Strategic analysis Sector-wide M&E; data collection and analysis Annual trends and outlook reports Specific strategic analysis and production (occasional publications) 2. Capacity building Training members of the SAKSS network in areas of M&E Support to the ministry in areas of M&E and evidence based policy implementation 3. Knowledge Support Systems – Publications/knowledge products Outputs: ATORS, Ag-sector-wide M&E databases, occasional publications, policy briefs

SAKSS: Broker of Strategic Analysis/Knowledge Demand Supply SAKSS Oversight Body SAKSS Node SAKSS Network Policy Analysis Units Think Tanks, Central Bank Statistics Bureaus, Universities, FBOs Parliament, PS, FBOs, Donors, Directors Express interest and buy into vision Align knowledge generation activities Receive funding and training … Credence of SAKSS in CAADP process Governance Channel knowledge and evidence to policy makers … Identify and sensitize knowledge gaps Synthesize knowledge Mobilize and coordinate knowledge generation Facilitate training …

Country SAKSS Generic Architecture Structured network of policy-making, analysis, and implementation partners 3 distinct but interrelated parts: Node, Network, and Oversight Body institutionalised within relevant country structures country-owned and country-managed system depending on the country’s own agenda and capacity (including funding)

SAKSS Network Composition Statistical bureaus Universities Think Tanks NGOs and FBOs Consultancies and Individuals Locally-based international organizations Functions/Activities Express interest in network Buy into SAKSS agenda Provide and update info on expertise and capacity Apply for research grant Receive grants and training Deliver on TORs (e.g. data, analysis, training, etc.)

SAKSS Node composition Key Functions/Activities Set up and maintain active Network Raise funds to source key knowledge relating to NAIP Facilitate capacity strengthening of network (using ReSAKSS, etc.) Provide quality control of Network outputs Synthesize, manage and generate knowledge products from Network outputs Facilitate use of knowledge products in decision making processes via Oversight Body, etc. Provide information to ReSAKSS for regional and continental CAADP M&E … Composition and Funding Coordinator: renowned knowledge manager from the country Accounting: for competent management of competitive research grants Research Assistance: follow up with research by network Communications: website, policy briefs, newsletters, seminars, reports, etc…

SAKSS Oversight Body Composition Chair: e.g. PS of Min of Agriculture Members: agricultural sector development institutions (state and non-state actors) Secretary: SAKSS Node coordinator Functions Credence of SAKSS in CAADP process Governance (guidance and oversight of SAKSS node activities) Channel knowledge and evidence (recommendations) to policy makers

Roles and Responsibilities of Others Government/Host Institution provides funding and institutional support (e.g. office space, auditing services, etc.) Donors provide funding for SAKSS activities, directly to Node and/or indirectly via Government/Host Institution AUC provide advocacy and fundraising for establishment of SAKSS REC provides advocacy and funding and guidance for set- up and operations of SAKSS ReSAKSS provides TA for set- up of SAKSS and facilitate training of Network for region- wide capacity development Others in country provide training to Node and Network for national capacity development

SAKSS: capacity strengthening activities OB Policy Analysis Units Think Tanks, Central Bank Statistics Bureaus, Universities, FBOs Parliament, PS, FBOs, Donors, Directors Node Network Level 100 Rationale and Concepts (CAADP; Policy Analysis) Level 200 Concepts and Application (Policy Analysis; Report Writing) Graduation overtime Level 300 … Application and Modeling (CGE, Econometrics, Data Work)

Country experiences Mozambique: SAKKS important for enhancing M&E Governing body identified, SAKSS network being developed Zambia Funding is key to advancement Malawi High level of interest for SAKSS: SAKSS to be based in the Ministry of Agriculture; Funding is key achieving many of SAKSS outputs 4. Zimbabwe: High level onf interest, Goveervning body in place; network in place but need to be elaborated further

Experiences and Lessons Learned Country political buy-in and leadership are very important Technical buy in and leadership of the Ministry of agriculture are equally important in successful establishment of country SAKSS Important to define SAKSS governance-prevents SAKSS from being viewed as owned by a department Mutual trust between country and ReSAKSS creates confidence but takes time to build SaKSS coordinator should not be seen as imposed on the system.

Plans for the future Intensify operations at the Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia SAKSS Mobilize funding for other countries