Overview: Capacity Development planning process for health programmes
Whether in its role as an implementing partner managing large-scale HIV, TB, and malaria programmes funded by the Global Fund or as a technical assistance partner for health systems strengthening interventions, UNDP prioritizes the capacity development of national entities and systems for health. Leveraging its global experience, UNDP has established a systematic approach to capacity development based on a model of end-to-end support tailored to the country context and needs of partners. Its framework for capacity development starts with a participatory multi-stakeholder process to scope the priorities and conduct a comprehensive capacity assessment that informs the development of capacity development plan.
Purpose
Capacity development interventions should be based on a comprehensive understanding of how a system is currently working, what areas need support and how to prioritize investments according to the cross-cutting building blocks for resilient health systems. These could include developing and implementing health information systems, training staff in analysing data, developing policies and procedures for strong financial management, and improving the supply and distribution of key health products.
UNDP’s approach
Whether in its role as an implementing partner managing large-scale HIV, tuberculosis and malaria programmes funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (The Global Fund) or as a technical assistance partner for strengthening systems for health, UNDP prioritizes the capacity development of national entities and systems for health. Leveraging its global experience, UNDP has established a systematic approach to capacity development based on a model of end-to-end support tailored to the country context and the needs of partners. Its framework for capacity development starts with a participatory multi-stakeholder process to establish priorities and conduct a comprehensive capacity assessment that informs the development of the capacity development plan. UNDP then works closely with national stakeholders, making tools and guidance available, to support the implementation and monitoring and evaluation of the capacity development plan.
Success factors
From working with multiple countries carrying out capacity development processes, UNDP has identified common factors that are key to successful capacity development. These include:
- national support and ownership of the capacity development plan
- an objective assessment process to reach a common understanding of needs and recommendations.
- adapting the capacity development approach to the specific context and circumstances of the country and organizations involved.
- clarity of responsibilities, including who is responsible for implementing and evaluating the capacity development plan.
Nationally owned, multi-donor capacity development planning in Chad
UNDP supports capacity development planning in Chad to build resilient and sustainable system for health and transition the management of Global Fund grants to national entities. Historically, different partners working on HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria led to separate capacity development efforts. Since 2021, the MoHP and UNDP have been co-Principal Recipients of the Global Fund malaria grant. Under this model, the partners are allocated responsibilities based on their strengths, while PMU capacity is further strengthened. The aim is to fully transition the Principal Recipient role in the future.