New Zealand Partnerships for International Development Tips for a successful Activity Design Document (ADD)

Round 11 Activity Designs Presentation outline ADD processes & tools Lessons learned Sections 2-4 of the ADD Tips for a successful ADD

Moving from concept to design Round 11 Activity Designs Moving from concept to design Your ADD must convince MFAT (appraisal) that the proposed Activity is likely to successfully and cost effectively achieve a sustainable change. Content guidance is available throughout the ADD template. Guidance as to how MFAT assesses the likely effectiveness of the design is available in the appraisal template & the Activity Quality policy.

ADD (design) timeframes Round 11 Activity Designs ADD (design) timeframes Timeframes: Draft ADD due 30 April 2018 Final ADD due 31 May 2018 MFAT appraisals will take place over June Approved ADDs progressed to contracts July Process: ADD appraisal CTE payment Contract drafting, sign off Implementation Roles: Design lead Activity manager Sector Specialist Bilateral/Post

Round 11 Activity Designs Lessons Learned Round 11 Activity Designs Local ownership is critical Governance structures Use data and evidence Realistic timeframes Stretch on recipient communities

Lessons Learned continued: Round 11 Activity Designs Lessons Learned continued: In-country partner capacity/capability Think carefully about coordination Sustainability and exit planning Avoid increasing budget from the IDSP approved Concept Note Risk assessment

Round 11 Activity Designs Context Analysis Development need Check for assumptions and draw on your local partners’ knowledge Social, economic, political context What is the capacity of the community/ partner/sector to take on more development initiatives? How will duplication be avoided/coordination be ensured? Lessons learned

Round 11 Activity Designs Activity Description What will the activity do? Results diagram Activity and Inputs Working with partner government systems Consistency with New Zealand development objectives Budget outline – breakdown between outputs Who is the activity intended to benefit? Who are the key activity stakeholders?

Implementation Arrangements Section 4: Implementation Arrangements Partners Governance arrangements Management Arrangements

Impact and Sustainability Round 11 Activity Designs Is the Activity expected to continue beyond the end of the period of funding? Ownership of the activity Ongoing funding/resource commitments Integration of Activity exit plan into the design How will long term impact be sustained?

Round 11 Activity Designs Tips for ADDs Clarity Ensure content flows logically Peer review Follow the guidance notes in templates, apply the quality rating scale & appraisal criteria Avoid repetition Tables, diagrams and maps

Partnerships Fund: Tools Partnerships Fund Guidelines ADD template, Appraisal Template https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/aid-and-development/working-with-us/contestable-funds/partnerships-for-international-development-fund/partnerships-fund-guides-and-templates/ Activity Quality Policy http://https://www.mfat.govt.nz/assets/_securedfiles/Aid-Prog-docs/Activity-Quality-Policy.pdf New Zealand Aid Programme Strategic Plan https://www.mfat.govt.nz/assets/_securedfiles/Aid-Prog-docs/New-Zealand-Aid-Programme-Strategic-Plan-2015-19.pdf New Zealand Aid Programme Investment Priorities https://www.mfat.govt.nz/assets/_securedfiles/Aid-Prog-docs/Aid-Investment-Priorities-2015-19-web.pdf Cross-cutting analysis guidance https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/aid-and-development/working-with-us/tools-and-guides-for-aid-activities/#Thematic