MENTORSHIP: A CRITICAL REFLECTION JOHANNESBURG-LILONGWE MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME MENTORSHIP: A CRITICAL REFLECTION CLG Strategic Planning Commission 15 June 2011

Content JOHANNESBURG-LILONGWE MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME What is mentorship? Overview of process Progress Challenges Lessons Outcome of Lilongwe mentorship programme

What is mentorship? JOHANNESBURG-LILONGWE MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME Critical friend and technical advisor Work towards achieving a common goal Costa, A. and Kallick, B.(1993) define a critical friend as “a trusted person who asks provocative questions, provides data to be examined through another lens, and offers critiques of a person’s work as a friend. A critical friend takes the time to fully understand the context of the work presented and the outcomes that the person or group is working toward. The friend is an advocate for the success of that work.”

Overview of process JOHANNESBURG-LILONGWE MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME Originated in a CityFutures Workshop in July 2007 – request to assist with the development of a CDS Mentorship approach approved by CoJ Mayoral Committee, SALGA, UCLG, UCLGA and Malawi Government by March 2008 – ensure buy-in and political support 3 phases (Preparatory, CDS Development & Implementation) – now in phase 3 (project support) Funding – Phase 1 funded by Cities Alliance; Joburg self-funded throughout

Progress JOHANNESBURG-LILONGWE MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME Completed phases 1 and 2 and launched CDS document in February 2010 Initiated implementation phase (project assistance) and completed the following: Developed scorecards for executive staff Completed a mid-year assessment of progress against scorecard commitments Developed a by-law review process in partnership with Blantyre, Msuzu and Zomba Finalised a 10-year capital programme and explored funding possibilities Concluded a credit-worthiness assessment Developed a model for the establishment of a City Police Force / Enforcement Agency Developed a business case to operationalise the GIS unit Cities Alliance funding application still pending

Challenges JOHANNESBURG-LILONGWE MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME State of the Administration eg leadership, commitment, capacity Political context eg actual level of decentralised decision-making; political “peers”, etc Lack of access to available information (local and national) and determining status of information No established communication platforms to share information, tasks, etc Lack of basic resources – mass photo copying, virus protection, transport, meeting venues, etc

Lessons JOHANNESBURG-LILONGWE MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME Agree upfront on a joint programme - mutual understanding of the scope of work and purpose Composition of mentor team – skills, experience, etc Identifying key people/drivers in beneficiary team – build a relationship Ensure highest authority support at outset (all spheres of government) Don’t underestimate the value of embedded knowledge and non-formal sources not generally known Plan for an implementation and support phase – After Care Take cognisance of language, cultural aspects, capacity, distance, etc Funding and momentum – dependence on external funding should not be a major constraint; assistance required with funding appplications Flexibility of programme Every process needs a champion Purpose designed process – CDS not always the entry point

Lessons (continued) JOHANNESBURG-LILONGWE MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME Capacity building and knowledge Ensure internal/external consultation throughout the process Regularly assess ownership Regularly verify understanding of issues/process Maintain momentum, meet expectations – when you promise a consultation session, make sure that it takes place Pitch input at level of the audience; this might vary from audience to audience Build a “local” brand For every challenge, there is a joint solution

Outcome of Lilongwe mentorship programme JOHANNESBURG-LILONGWE MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME Outcome of Lilongwe mentorship programme Lilongwe now: Functional Managed Leader Less dependent Empowered Policy drivers Strategic Directing support Organisational pride Lilongwe then: Disfunctional Unmanaged Follower Dependent Disempowered Policy takers Operational Asking for support Low self esteem The mentorship programme has enabled Lilongwe to take back control of local government, to start building good governance practices, to change institutional behaviour and ability, to focus on public goods and community needs, to prioritise….and to be accountable