Coordination Support Group Meeting Thursday 12January 2006 Meeting Summary Agenda 1. Endorsement of minutes of 16 and 25 November CSG meetings 2. JNA Update 3. Follow through on CSG Action points agreed to at the 25 November CSG meeting – i.e. a) TFG to advise the CSG on WSP involvement in the JNA. b) Bios on Cluster team members & Presentation of Cluster Table(s) c) UN & WB to identify expertise gaps and provide to the CSG d) TFG to address issue of female representation e) JNA work-plan & CSG Involvement in Upcoming JNA Zonal Workshops 4. Budgetary issues a) Budget implications on the extension of the timeline of the JNA process b) Budget implications on the expansion of counterpart involvement in the JNA process c) TFG issues on the JNA budget 5. aob Present Richard Hands Asbjorn Wee David Bassiouni Vittorio Cagnolati Stefano Dejak David Bell Amel Gorani Ebyan Salah Daniel Bourzat Réiseal Ní Chéilleachair Isabel Candela Louise Cottar
European Commission (Chair) World Bank United Nations Italian Cooperation Italian Delegation DFID Sweden TFG Focal Point for the JNA TFG NGO Consortium EC JNA Secretariat
Richard Hands the Chair of the CSG opened the meeting and welcomed the attendees. The Chair requested that an additional agenda item – concerns of the donors and TFG – be added between agenda items 1 & 2. 1. Endorsement of minutes of 16 and 25 November CSG meetings The minutes of 16 & 25 November CSG meetings were endorsed. 2. Concerns of the Donors and TFG The Chair explained that some of the donors and the TFG had some concerns and asked for these concerns to be raised.
Italy, on behalf of the donor group, stated that there was still the need for a complete list of bios of the JNA cluster team members and a comprehensive and readable matrix with all the information. Italy also asked for more details on the zonal workshops including, their methodology and the likely expectations that these workshops may raise. Other donors also asked for the bios and an explanation on the gaps in technical expertise. The Chair summarized by saying that all the donors felt that whilst the Hargeisa workshop should proceed – because Somaliland was not present at the JNA Inception Retreat - the zonal workshops must be put on hold until such time that a complete list of bios of the JNA team members were presented in a readerfriendly format, clearly identifying and analyzing the technical gaps and for more information – specifically rationale and methodology be provided on the zonal workshops. The Chair felt that a two week delay on the zonal workshops should be sufficient for the JNA to provide the above. The TFG asked for a clear work-plan for the JNA. They also stated that they were concerned about probable timing of the donor conference as delays would affect the progress of the TFG and, if held in the summer months in Europe would likely have a low level of attendance. The JNA Senior Technical Coordinator explained that for the most part the experts were now involved but that the relevant information had not been forthcoming. Regarding the Governance Cluster Leader, it was explained that as a result of he TFG decision to remove the Cluster Leader, the UN had, through numerous attempts, tried to fill the leader position – first with Sylvia Fletcher and then with an expert from Pakistan. Both whilst initially interested and able, were finally not allowed to be full-time on the JNA. UNDP still has two additional offers, however in the meantime, Sylvia Fletcher continues her support from Sierra Leone, whilst Eric Overvest has taken over the reigns on temporary basis with Laurent Marion also supporting the Cluster. The TFG noted that the UN cluster members all came from the UN and as such did not provide a broad based outlook, however the UN explained that many of the JNA cluster team members, whilst contracted by the UN were consultants brought in from the outside of the UN. The EC - with support particularly from Italy – reiterated the donors’ insistence that the JNA ensure that cluster team members who were also employed on ongoing projects and programmes, be replaced or the projects/programmes concerned covered by additional experts. Regarding the Zonal workshops, the JNA Senior Technical Coordinator advised the CSG that a paper had been done on the rationale and process of the zonal workshops and this paper will certainly be shared with the CSG. He also explained that the purpose of the zonal workshops was three fold:a) the first day would be technical – going through the concept note, methodology and so on. b) That the second day would be a town hall type of meeting with the 8 identified focus groups to identify priorities c) That the third day would put together focus groups to go through the implication of the priorities and to translate these priorities into outcomes and into the needs assessment. The JNA Senior Technical Coordinator expressed his confidence that the paper referred to above would reassure the CSG regarding the planning of the zonal workshops was and said that to delay these workshops by two weeks would result in time and cost implications. He also explained that there are
problems in terms of security access in holding workshops in Kismayo and Mogadishu and that the JNA were reviewing and exploring alternate options to be considered by the CSG. The WB felt that the implicit thinking of the JNA was to have an inclusive and participatory process; the workshops implied a wider scope than the original concept note, and it was necessary to agree on the scope and breadth of the JNA and on the way forward DFID used the cost expert as an example of what the CSG did not want to happen – i.e. a cluster member appointed but not present. The Chair emphasized that the CSG had requested the missing information on work plan/methodology and the JNA team composition on several occasions in the past; however, if the information requested was provided quickly then there may not be any need to delay the workshops. JNA Update & Follow through on CSG action points agreed to at the 25 November CSG meeting The JNA Senior Technical Coordinator stated that there had been a planning workshop in Jowhar in December – this workshop was to plan for the south, south-west, Benadir and Kismayo workshops. At this workshop it was decided that female Deputy Zonal Coordinators would be appointed to re-address the issue of lack of female participation. Dates for the workshops were set. Further commitment to the JNA was provided at this workshop by the TFG, Parliamentarians and Governors. It was also agreed that a women’s symposium be organized in relation to the JNA. It was noted by the Senior Technical Coordinator that still the JNA is not engaged with civil society and No’s. The EC asked the following questions/discussion points:a) More information on Women symposium – agenda, cost etc There have been two meetings with the JNA and UNIFEM on the women’s symposium to go over agenda, concept and so on. The purpose of the symposium would be to provide an entry point for women to become involved in the JNA. Further clarity was sought on the overlap of this symposium and others – such as the IGAD one and it was agreed that options should be looked into in terms of streamlining the various upcoming women’s symposiums. b) WSP’s participation The TFG advised that Mark Bradbury could be hired as an independent consultant for the JNA. The donors stressed WSP’s unique expertise and the institutional knowledge that WSP has to offer to the JNA, enabling the organization to act as a gateway to the JNA for Somali NGOs and civil society. The Senior Technical Coordinator asked if there was a way for WSP to sit with the TFG. The EC stated that it had already proposed its good offices to address this issue. JNA Secretariat advised that Mark Bradbury would not now be available until mid-February. b) Options for Kismayo and Mogadishu Options for Kismayo and Mogadishu were explained as either holding them in-country (with international presence) in a location close to Kismayo and Mogadishu respectively or to hold the workshops outside Somalia. Recommendation from the CSG to have the meetings inside the country. c) Cluster meetings in Nairobi needed to happen with an invitation to the CSG members The Senior Technical Coordinator agreed that Cluster Leaders would invite CSG members when they had cluster meetings in Nairobi and will accordingly ensure that this happens from now onwards. It was explained that a delay in the zonal workshops would result in an increased cost. The EC stated that their budgets only allow for a 10% increase and as such a request for a budget increase would need to be made in writing in advance and be reviewed by the donors.
The JNA Secretariat asked about the experts from the Diaspora as the UN budget allowed for only 2 months which will be completed on 22 January. The CSG agreed to an extension of the experts from the Diaspora. 4. Budgetary issues a) Budget implications on the extension of the timeline of the JNA process b) Budget implications on the expansion of counterpart involvement in the JNA process c) TFG issues on the JNA budget
a) The TFG asked the CSG to consider the amount paid to the 3 TFG Focal Points. The TFG and the UN Senior Technical Coordinator provided an explanation of the history of this issue. The EC stated that the UN rules and payment scales were in place for a reason and that they did not see how procedurally they could intervene. DFID stated that if the TFG counterparts do not work, they should not get paid and that the CSG should not intervene in UN rules as this problem is faced time and time again in other countries. Italy stated that they were surprised that people were working without a contract. The CSG asked the Senior Technical Coordinator to set up a meeting with the UN Resident Coordinator with a view to the RC furnishing a final decision on this issue in writing to the CSG. b&c) Given the possible postponement of the JNA zonal workshops, WB proposed that the budget issues be further reviewed and raised at the next CSG meeting. AOB Italy asked that the JNA timeline not include a date for the donor conference. The CSG agreed to this. DFID advised the JNA to manage expectations. The TFG stated that they would like to have the next CSG with the Minister of Planning & International Cooperation present and advised the CSG that they would come forward early next week with a suggested date for the next CSG meeting. CSG Decisions & Action Points: The zonal workshops (excluding Hargeisa) will be put on hold until the information under (a), (b), (c) and (d) below is provided to the CSG and endorsed/ratified: a) Succinct bios of the JNA cluster teams and a clear analysis of any gaps in expertise will be provided as soon as possible in a reader friendly format for review and ratification by the CSG. b) Evidence will be provided to the CSG that no UN personnel committed to and paid for under other projects/programmes feature on the JNA team unless substituted. c) The rationale, methodology and expected outcomes of the zonal workshops will be submitted to the CSG for review and endorsement d) The JNA team will provide the CSG with a thorough work-plan e) The Senior Technical Coordinator will solicit the UN Resident Coordinator for a final response regarding the stipend payable to the 3 TFG Focal Points. f) The EC, JNA team and the TFG will set up a meeting between the TFG and WSP to determine the way forward in respect of the leadership of the peace-building, conflict prevention and reconciliation cross-cutting component. g) The JNA and UNIFEM will ensure synergies between the upcoming women’s symposiums .