Policy and Knowledge Facility

2005-2010

Multi-million pound project

DFID

2500 staff months of expertise in economics and private sector development; governance and political economics; livelihoods and social development.

If Nigeria is to contribute to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals in Sub-Saharan Africa, it needs rapid, poverty-reducing growth that can be sustained in the medium to long term. However, the current policy and public investment framework does not create an enabling environment for competitive and dynamic non-oil economic development, and in particular, one that supports pro-poor growth. This is recognised by a wide range of stakeholders in Nigeria and none more so than by the new Economic Reform Team that the President has put in place.

Currently, many policy decisions tend to be influenced by the way in which the patronage system operates and are seldom based on sound policy evidence and analysis. Most donors in Nigeria have not been well engaged in on-going policy processes, and have limited resources and expertise available to ensure that their own programmes are not, for example, market distorting.

In support of Nigeria’s reform agenda to deliver sustainable high growth with poverty reduction, HTSPE has been contracted by DFID to manage an in-country facility to support initiatives to improve policy analysis and dialogue between government, civil society, the private sector and the international community.

This Policy and Knowledge Facility commissions research studies, supports dialogue and advocacy, and sponsors technical assistance and capacity building requested by clients, particularly government agencies with key roles in Nigeria's federal economic reform agenda. PAK also supports research and advocacy proposed by domestic and international partners from think-tanks, academic institutions and stakeholder interest groups such as private sector associations and civil society organisations www.pak-nigeria.org.

PAK is often proactive, supporting opportune policy research and analysis that may otherwise not have been requested. PAK support empowers stakeholders to advocate effectively on behalf of the poor and contributes to pro-poor decision-making and accountability.

PAK has funded more than 100 projects through more than 125 contracts and grants. The Ministry of Finance, Budget Office, Debt Management Office, Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President for MDGs, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the National Planning Commission have been the principal clients for analytical studies and dialogue events. All of these agencies (except the Ministry of Commerce and Industry), plus the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Office of the Chief Economic Adviser, and Ministry of Power have also been clients for long term ‘on the job’ technical assistance. PAK has funded twenty-five experts for these agencies for periods from six months to two years.

More than half of the PAK-funded projects have dealt with some aspect of public financial management. PAK has also funded substantial concentrations of projects promoting sound policies for private sector development and trade, projects dealing with agriculture, natural resources, and infrastructure, and several projects addressing multiple issues across sectors including assessments of national poverty, issues related to gender and growth, the impact of climate change, and relationships between Nigeria and China.

In association with GRID Consulting, their in-country project partners, HTSPE has been responsible for:

1. Managing contact with potential and actual recipients of PAK funding. HTSPE provides input into the design of initiatives, and following approval by DFID, oversees the delivery of outputs as agreed.
2. Administering and delivering inputs of approximately £6 million according to priorities set by the DFID Steering Committee; administering financial payments to local and international consultants and local stakeholder organisations for PAK-supported initiatives; ensuring value for money and proper accounting for use of PAK funds.
3. Assisting DFID with monitoring and evaluating the impact of initiatives through stakeholder feedback, independent assessment and other means; integrating lessons learned into PAK management.
4. Providing support for consultants; logistical and organisational support for activities including seminars, workshops, and overseas study tours.
5. Maintaining a database of consultant suppliers and disseminating reports from PAK-funded initiatives.