• Capacity building in organisations

Capacity building in organisations

Technical assistance (TA) remains a controversial component of official development assistance (ODA). This study aims to contribute to the current discussions on aid effectiveness and capacity development by assessing what works in relation to the deployment of technical assistance (TA) personnel, and exploring what initiatives/reforms are being taken to improve practice. The report draws on the findings of three country studies conducted in Mozambique, Solomon Islands and Vietnam.

The study finds that key determinants of TA effectiveness include:

• partner country management of TA personnel
• a more informed understanding of how TA can support capacity development and change
• good design, including proper diagnosis of needs
• the deployment of appropriate personnel with both substantive expertise and process skills
• improved human resources planning and management within the public service of development partners
• strategic thinking about the use of TA personnel as an instrument for sustainable capacity development .

The paper makes numerous recommendations for reforming TA, which cover the following issues:

• engaging in strategic dialogue
• linking TA personnel to development planning and human resources management
• being transparent about options, costs and motives
• strengthening the human resources function
• following the Paris Declaration
• determining the right mix of ‘direct’ and ‘indirect’ approaches
• improving the capacity of development partners

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