Assisting Policy Analysis, Strategic Planning and Coordination Department (PASPCD) to Develop Policy Planning Manual

Project Description:

PMCG, as part of the consortium led by Tetra Tech ARD, under the framework of USAID funded program “Good Governance Initiative (GGI)”, is assisting the Policy Analysis, Strategic Planning and Coordination Department (PASPCD) to develop a Policy Planning Manual.

The amendments to the Constitution in 2012 strengthened the role of the Prime Minister and the Government in policy planning. In order to carry out relevant institutional changes, a thorough review of the functions, structure and role of the Chancellery of the Government, conducted in 2012, led to the establishment of a special structural unit – the Policy Analysis, Strategic Planning and Coordination Department (PASPCD) – whose mandate is to improve the policy development and coordination system. Furthermore, within the framework of institutional reform, the Chancellery has been transformed into the Administration of the Government and provided with increased rights and responsibilities.

With support from USAID’s G3 project, the PASPCD developed a “Policy Planning Reform Strategy 2015-2017”. This Policy Planning Reform Strategy responds to, and complements, the Public Administration Reform Strategy that identifies the inefficiency of the policy planning system as one of the main problems hindering the development of an efficient policy planning system and the establishment of an outcome-based system of governance.

The “Policy Planning System Reform Strategy” and its related Action Plan provide more specific information on the activities, expected results, responsible agencies and related budget within the same timeframe covered by the strategy. In line with Activity No. 2.2 of the Action Plan, a Policy Planning Manual should be developed and officially adopted in 2016.

The purpose of this Policy Planning Manual is to provide guidance for civil servants in public sector institutions in Georgia on the preparation, coordination, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of long-term, mid-term and short-term policy planning documents. It is expected that by applying the principles, concepts, analytical tools and processes provided in the Manual, the policy planning process in Georgia will become more participatory, transparent, results-oriented and evidence-based.

PMCG’s team has is carrying out the following activities:

• Study and analysis of representative policy planning documents of the Government of Georgia (as provided to the consultant by the PASPCD)
• Study and analysis of the current legal framework in Georgia for policy planning and development
• Study and analysis of the existing procedures and practices of policy elaboration and coordination
• On the basis of the Policy Planning Framework document prepared under the Good Governance in Georgia (G3) program, and reflecting international best practices, development of a detailed Policy Planning Manual that will guide the staff of line ministries, government and ministry agencies and other public sector institutions throughout the stages of policy planning, including situation analysis, policy design, monitoring and evaluation, and quality assurance. The Policy Planning Manual will also recognize and incorporate existing and developing policies regarding stakeholder consultations, regulatory and other impact analyses as elements of policy development and coordination.

Background information:

USAID has awarded Tetra Tech ARD with a 5-year contract under the Office of Democracy and Governance, whose purpose is to support the Government of Georgia in strengthening overall transparency, accountability and effectiveness of selected governance and service delivery systems.

GGI’s work targets the legislative and executive branches at both the central and local government levels. To ensure greater government accountability, GGI works with government and civil society representatives to enhance public participation and disseminate public information about key reforms. This activity addresses the Governing Justly and Democratically Objective of U.S. Government Foreign Assistance, and especially the promotion of well-governed states and civil society areas.

The objectives of GGI are to improve administrative and financial management of public institutions at all levels, to increase civic engagement and improve access to independent, reliable and balanced information relevant to Georgia’s good governance, to strengthen policy development and lawmaking processes and to strengthen institutional oversight of government.

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