1. Setting up SAKSS Governance Structure and Analytical Network in Southern Africa
Greenwell Matchaya, Coordinator for ReSAKSS Southern Africa (SA), International Water Management Institute (IWMI), South Africa

2. ReSAKSS Efforts for SAKSS Establishment
Outline
What a country SAKSS platform is,
Why it is needed;
Progress to date;
Plans for 2017 and beyond

3. The need for SAKSS Urgency: Knowledge Gaps
Paucity of data to guide decision making
Absence of enough analytical work to guide decision
Lack of capacity in generating and utilization of evidence in decision making
Don’t know much about how our policies and investments will achieve our development objectives
Vision
Generate knowledge to facilitate evidence based policy planning and decision making

4. What is a SAKSS?
SAKSS is a network of people and institutions that provides timely, credible, and evidence-based knowledge and analysis to inform agricultural and rural development
The individuals are linked
through collaborative research
(strategic analysis), capacity
strengthening, and dialogue.
Knowledge support system:
A network that serves the evidence needs of strategy formulation and implementation.

5. Strategic Components of SAKSS
Strategic analysis
Sector-wide M&E; data collection and analysis
Annual trends and outlook reports
Specific strategic analysis and production (occasional publications)
2. Capacity building
Training members of the SAKSS network in areas of M&E
Support to the ministry in areas of M&E and evidence based policy implementation
3. Knowledge Support Systems –
Publications/knowledge products
Outputs: ATORS, Ag-sector-wide M&E databases, occasional publications, policy briefs

6. SAKSS: Broker of Strategic Analysis/Knowledge
Demand
Supply
SAKSS
Oversight Body
SAKSS
Node
SAKSS Network
Policy Analysis Units
Think Tanks, Central Bank
Statistics Bureaus, Universities, FBOs
Parliament, PS, FBOs, Donors, Directors
Express interest and buy into vision
Align knowledge generation activities
Receive funding and training …
Credence of SAKSS in CAADP process
Governance
Channel knowledge and evidence to policy makers …
Identify and sensitize knowledge gaps
Synthesize knowledge
Mobilize and coordinate knowledge generation
Facilitate training …

7. Country SAKSS Generic Architecture
Structured network of policy-making, analysis, and implementation partners
3 distinct but interrelated parts: Node, Network, and Oversight Body
institutionalised within relevant country structures
country-owned and country-managed system depending on the country’s own agenda and capacity (including funding)

8. SAKSS Network Composition Statistical bureaus Universities Think Tanks
NGOs and FBOs
Consultancies and Individuals
Locally-based international organizations
Functions/Activities
Express interest in network
Buy into SAKSS agenda
Provide and update info on expertise and capacity
Apply for research grant
Receive grants and training
Deliver on TORs (e.g. data, analysis, training, etc.)

9. SAKSS Node composition
Key Functions/Activities
Set up and maintain active Network
Raise funds to source key knowledge relating to NAIP
Facilitate capacity strengthening of network (using ReSAKSS, etc.)
Provide quality control of Network outputs
Synthesize, manage and generate knowledge products from Network outputs
Facilitate use of knowledge products in decision making processes via Oversight Body, etc.
Provide information to ReSAKSS for regional and continental CAADP M&E …
Composition and Funding
Coordinator: renowned knowledge manager from the country
Accounting: for competent management of competitive research grants
Research Assistance: follow up with research by network
Communications: website, policy briefs, newsletters, seminars, reports, etc…

10. SAKSS Oversight Body Composition Chair: e.g. PS of Min of Agriculture
Members: agricultural sector development institutions (state and non-state actors)
Secretary: SAKSS Node coordinator
Functions
Credence of SAKSS in CAADP process
Governance (guidance and oversight of SAKSS node activities)
Channel knowledge and evidence (recommendations) to policy makers

11. Roles and Responsibilities of Others
Government/Host Institution provides funding and institutional support (e.g. office space, auditing services, etc.)
Donors provide funding for SAKSS activities, directly to Node and/or indirectly via Government/Host Institution
AUC provide advocacy and fundraising for establishment of SAKSS
REC provides advocacy and funding and guidance for set- up and operations of SAKSS
ReSAKSS provides TA for set- up of SAKSS and facilitate training of Network for region- wide capacity development
Others in country provide training to Node and Network for national capacity development

12. SAKSS: capacity strengthening activitiesOB
Policy Analysis Units
Think Tanks, Central Bank
Statistics Bureaus, Universities, FBOs
Parliament, PS, FBOs, Donors, Directors
Node
Network
Level 100
Rationale and Concepts
(CAADP; Policy Analysis)
Level 200
Concepts and Application
(Policy Analysis; Report Writing)
Graduation overtime
Level 300 …
Application and Modeling
(CGE, Econometrics, Data Work)

13. Country experiences Mozambique: SAKKS important for enhancing M&E
Governing body identified, SAKSS network being developed
Zambia
Funding is key to advancement
Malawi
High level of interest for SAKSS: SAKSS to be based in the Ministry of Agriculture; Funding is key achieving many of SAKSS outputs
4. Zimbabwe: High level onf interest, Goveervning body in place; network in place but need to be elaborated further

14. Experiences and Lessons Learned
Country political buy-in and leadership are very important
Technical buy in and leadership of the Ministry of agriculture are equally important in successful establishment of country SAKSS
Important to define SAKSS governance-prevents SAKSS from being viewed as owned by a department
Mutual trust between country and ReSAKSS creates confidence but takes time to build
SaKSS coordinator should not be seen as imposed on the system.

15. Plans for the future
Intensify operations at the Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia SAKSS
Mobilize funding for other countries