The Scotland Malawi Partnership Support available for those developing new projects and partnerships

 Constantly updated (v1.2)  Not just focused on SG  Not legal or financial advice  Can get auto alerts  Can offer training  INPUT INTO IT! Common challenges: Shared Learning

“Prevention better than cure”  Partnership Agreement template (appendix one) Secondary contact at each side? Each sides’ priorities, expectations and concerns? Communication plan? When will it end, and what happens after that? Project Design

Planning and implementing together Appropriateness Respect, trust and mutual understanding Transparency and Accountability No one left behind Effectiveness Reciprocity Sustainability Do no Harm Interconnectivity (joining up with others) Parity (equality) Partnership Principles

 Read critical literature (e.g. Damisa Moyo)  Focus on Partnership Principles  Be open with partners about when the project will end  Measure success on what is being achieved 1, 5 and 10 years after cash stops flowing  Build capacity  Be open to different ways to achieve the same goal  Don’t be afraid to engage private sector in search for sustainability Sustainability

Common experiences:  Being “treated like royalty”  Understanding hierarchies  Differing gender roles/expectations  Slow progress  Sensitive financial information  Per Diems  Formal meetings  Problematic correspondence UNDERSTANDING & RESPECT Understanding cultural differences

Recruitment:  Application forms  Discuss salaries prior to selection  Clarity on salary and benefits Employment Law  Malawi Revenue Authority  Mywage.com Remuneration:  Determining appropriate remuneration  Factor in inflation Human Resources

 Relatively stable this year ( MK:1GBP )  Traditional May-Oct increase due to tobacco  Seismic shifts: May 2012 devalued by 50%; May 2013 increased 30%  Have two accounts (FCDA and MK) in Malawi  Decide estimated exchange rate using historical average  GIVE CLEAR NARRATIVE IN APPLICATION  Register the risk – plan if exceeds acceptable range  Keep in contact with funder – try to maintain buffer Exchange Rates

Historic exchange rates: The last year

Historic exchange rates: The last two years

Historic exchange rates: The last five years

Need to factor in inflation into budget  decide based on recent history  Clear narrative in application  Register the risk  Plans if outside acceptable ranges Formal rates can vary from reality on the ground – CFSC – Basic Needs Basket Good info at:  Trading Economics  Reserve Bank of Malawi Inflation

Historic Inflation: Last five years

 MGDSII ( )  Economic Recovery Plan – NO LONGER IN USE  National Education Sector Plan (NESP)  Health Sector Strategic Plan ( ) Local District Development Plans and Socio Economic Profiles Contact details of Strand Leads etc Government of Malawi

Risk Assessments  How to approach and what to include Communications:  Importance of regular scheduled calls / Skypes  MaSP Communication and Resource Centres  Local online forums (Blantyre Chat, Zomba Chat, Lilongwe Chat, Facebook groups) Practicalities

 Office support and advice  Practical guides (Living/working; shipping; school links; per diems)  News Bulletin (news, opportunities, events, exchange rates/inflation)  Events  Database and Online Mapping Tool  Report on all SG funded projects  Training (Chichewa, Chitumbuka, cultural awareness, coms)  Forums:  Business, trade, investment and tourism  Governance  Health  Primary and Secondary Education  Further and Higher Education SMP ongoing support

 Office support and advice  News Bulletin  Events  Symposiums  Communication and Resource Centres  Database online  Training – Project management  Strand Forums  Regional Clusters MaSP ongoing support

Zikomo!