     
The process of diagnosing the needs and the capacity constraints started in January 2004, when WBI visited N’Djamena with the objective to carry out a preliminary assessment of capacity development priorities to support PRSP implementation, public finance management and enhanced government accountability. The mission members held meetings with key development stakeholders, including Bank country team members, representatives from key ministries (Finance, Plan, Education and Health), other government institutions (oil revenue board or “college”, auditor general’s office, national statistical institute), donors, civil society organizations, and local research and training institutes. From the mission, it was concluded that WBI could best assist the country in the challenges faced by providing assistance in the areas of Public Financial Management and PRSP implementation. Since February 2004, all of WBI missions in Chad have coincided with other Bank missions – CFAA, Oil Revenue Management Project (GEEP), Petroleum Sector Management Capacity Building Project, etc., thereby benefiting from interaction and close cooperation with these missions. The priority capacity development areas identified by WBI, as well as the proposed capacity development activities aim to complement ongoing and upcoming Bank operations and, in particular, the new phase of the Oil Revenue Management Project (GEEP). The work is also highly demand driven, developed in consultation with the client representatives of the Ministry of Finance, civil society representatives, representatives from local training institutions, etc. In November and December 2004, WBI has worked with the country team and the client on the development and finalization of an action plan for improving the public financial management sector in Chad. In this regard, WBI has contributed to the design of a capacity development and human resources development strategy. It is still early to draw lessons from the approach used in Chad – this is very much an on-going activity where the aim is to respond in the best fashion possible to the demands from the country. In spite of this, there are signs indicating that this customized country focus approach is bringing results: The design, development, and delivery of capacity development activities are built on a thorough understanding of the client’s specific needs and priorities. There is a high level of integration of capacity development products with the overall country strategy. There is a high level of integration and coordination with the country team and Bank operations. There is direct involvement of WBI in the design and development of the capacity development components World Bank operations. Local training institutes are involved in the capacity development process and they are receiving assistance to better understand their role in this process. As a result, the institutes have become more motivated and pro-active than before.
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