Project Number: INT0085. Title: Sharing best practices for the design and management of technical cooperation projects. Classification: Ongoing

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1 Project Number: INT0085 Title: Sharing best practices for the design and management of technical cooperation projects Classification: Ongoing FOA: 0I - Education, Training and Nuclear Knowledge Management Justification: Findings and lessons learned from the ongoing and previous TC cycles underline the need to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the TC programme in accordance with the requests and needs of Member States. Specifically there is a need for Member States and the Secretariat, sharing a joint responsibility in managing TC projects, to continue to harmonize quality standards in planning and implementing technical cooperation projects, ensure compliance with existing quality criteria, and strengthen capacities in programming. PCMF (Programme Cycle Management Framework) surveys and feedback from regional meetings supported these findings, as do internal audits and evaluations and reports by the external auditors. Therefore, the project will aim to enhance the capabilities of Member States to address specific regional and national needs, in order to ensure that capacities are in place to plan, implement and monitor country programmes that 1) are relevant to national/regional priorities, 2) have well defined and achievable outcomes, also taking into account the assessment by Member States, 3) promote increased partnerships when appropriate, and 4) have a strategic focus. Beneficiaries: The direct beneficiaries are the National Liaison Officers (NLOs) and the planning and implementing staff of counterpart institutions. The Secretariat will also benefit from the approach. Strategy: Focusing on the TC cycle, and with a view to bringing about continuous improvement in programme implementation and management, the Secretariat will work together with Member States in improving the quality of TC projects. The project is proposed as an interregional exercise, as it will share knowledge and best practices among regions. Based on regional consultations, a core best practices exchange and training package is being developed. The package will include tools, methodologies and case studies, and will support the sharing of experiences in designing programmes/projects, defining performance indicators, fulfilling reporting responsibilities, and budgeting and monitoring for results. And, to the extent possible, audit findings should be drawn on in the development of the package. The package will establish a common understanding of project design and management across all regions, and will promote the development of partnerships and standardized approaches. The best practices exchange and training package will be adjusted to the needs and requirements of each region, specific group of countries or individual countries requesting it, to support the achievement of the national and regional objectives defined by the Member States. It will focus on skills development, encouraging participants to apply the approaches they have learned to their own technical cooperation projects. Participation in the project, which is to respond to specific capacity building requirements and to be geared towards peer-learning and networking among participants, is voluntary. The core package is being developed using regular budget resources. Fifty per cent of the training will be delivered under active regional training projects supporting planning and design. The remaining $ will be funded through the INT project. Sustainability: To ensure sustainability and self sufficiency, the project is aimed at skills development and the provision/elaboration of methodologies and tools allowing for training eventually to be conducted by national institutions that will be responsible for extending new skills and capacities to national stakeholders participating in the TC programme, and for promoting related networking. Objective: To enhance the effectiveness of the technical cooperation programme by sharing best practices for the design and management of TC projects across regions. The project is an exercise aimed to enhance the effectiveness of the technical cooperation programme and in no way alters the established principles of the TC programme but is aimed to improve the manner in which the Agency is providing TC. No Budget for the current year

2 Logical Framework Matrix (LFM) Design Element Indicator Means of Verification Assumptions Outcome Participating Member States use enhanced capacity to design their country programme and projects in an efficient and effective manner. Number of Project Documents meet the quality criteria, i.e. provide complete information meet central criterion provide complete LFM with SMART indicators and provide work plan. Information and statistics generated from the PCMF system Systems and checklists available for verifying PCMF information in percent of projects that meet criteria. NLOs, CPs and other stakeholders in participating Member States apply quality standards for project design. Member States also manage the project implementation, monitoring and evaluation in an effective and efficient manner. Participating Member States share best practices and knowledge for continuous improvement through the exchange mechanism established by the project. Number of exchanges of best practices through the In-Touch Platform Community of Practice in place. In-Touch Platform reports and Information. Exchange of best practices takes place on a regular basis, and best practices are applied thereby contributing to improving the quality of the TC programme in the Member States that participate in the exchange and use of best practices. Output Counterparts and NLOs trained in project design No. of Member States participating No. of participants attended: Target of 225 based on 25 participants per workshops. Workshops Reports. Participants internalize knowledge gained and actively apply it , including list of best practices examples from all regions identified. No. of best practices retained from all regions. Paper on Best Practices with examples identified by participating Member States. Participating Member States willing to share best practices Basic mechanism for Knowledge Sharing established. Best Practices and knowledge gained included in the In-touch platform by mid 2011 Number of participants using In-touch system for information and best practices sharing Number of participating Member States. Statistics gained from analyzing In-Touch system usage Flow of information/ communication visible in the mechanism. The In-touch Platform supports sharing of best practices and networking NLOs and counterparts in participating Member States are interested in being part of the Community of Practices, and the Secretariat is in a position to coordinate it. Activity Organize training events and disseminate Best Practices No of workshops (4 in 2010 and 5 in 2011 with a target Working lists of workshop preparations, Workshop curriculum is imparted in a professional

3 Paper. of 225 participants) fully organized, Logistical arrangements completed for participants and facilitators. circulated to nominated participants ahead of workshop and participants lists. and satisfactory manner, meeting participants expectations Host country arrangements meet workshop requirements Prepare training materials including handouts, CD ROMs, webbased option and printed materials, for participants and facilitators notes Package of project design modules as well as supporting, optional modules available; each containing a presentation, hand-out, exercise and facilitator s notes. No. and timing according to number and timing of workshops and participants anticipated Workshop curriculum and materials. Handouts. The package is adjusted by the Regional Divisions to cater for the needs of the respective regions The curriculum meets participants needs. Handouts are delivered on time Participants are inclined to keep and refer to the handouts Prepare for training events: Prepare regional plans for workshop delivery including logistical and technical requirements Select venue in each location Hire facilitators (if desired other option is to use TCPC staff, or both) Ship workshop materials to respective training venues. Location and venues for planned workshops Facilitators with expertise in project design, particularly the LFA, hired internationally and/or from the region Materials shipped on time in correct quantity. Details of regional implementation plans Terms of References and contracts issued Shipping receipt/pouch number. Regional Divisions select and invite participants based on nominations Working group, established under the direction of a regional director, collects and analyses best practices from OIOS studies as well as relevant experience from the regions. itself. Not applicable as this activity feeds into the next activity Share and discuss the Best Practice Paper resulting from activity with participants during the workshops. Best Practices from paper verified during the workshop Number of examples of Best Practices identified and discussed during workshop. Workshop reports. Workshop participants are interested and motivated to identify and share the best practices Design and establish a basic mechanism for knowledge Sharing In-Touch Platform further developed to support these activities Activity to take place in 2011 In-Touch Module developed. The Module is suitable for the purpose of Knowledge sharing. Input Two training courses for TCAF, to be held in 2011, combined

4 with budget from RAF Two training courses for TCLA, one in 2010 and one in 2011, combined with budget from RLA Curriculum preparation Consultant fee + Staff time - Printing and/or CD production of Curriculum - Workshop Supplies (flipcharts, felt-pens, post-its etc) - Shipment of workshop materials to respective venues - Approximately Two training courses for TCAP, to be held in 2011, combined with budget from RAS

5 1.1.4 Two training courses for TCEU, to be held in 2011, combined with budget from RER Training course on project design