Institutional arrangements and legal status
Published documentation on the institutional arrangements governing NACs is limited. IDASA have produced specific research reports for Namibia and Zimbabwe and a book on the institutional dynamics of South Africa’s response. The HLSP review of 7 African NACs identified a number of common institutional features demonstrating some uniformity in the way NACs have been set up. All seven have been recipients of World Bank MAP funding and conform with the predominant NAC model of a governance body or Board of Commissioners and an operational Secretariat that supports the Commission. All are positioned under the Office of the President or equivalent, and have been, or are in the process of being, set up by an Act of Parliament or Presidential Decree
NACs derive their authority from their legal framework. Studies have shown that clear institutional arrangements and legal status are important for NACs to effectively deliver their mandates, including coordination and resource mobilisation. They legitimise the NAC and give it enough power to function well. Confusion over legal status can undermine the authority and legitimacy of the NAC. Commentators have noted that, to be effective, the NAC needs to be located in the government structure in a manner which reflects the country specific political and institutional context.
Despite consistencies, the HLSP review highlighted the diversity of approaches being taken up by NACs to adapt their structure and function, within the existing institutional set up, to better suit their local conditions and strengthen the national response. These include new Acts of Parliament, organisational restructuring, and reviews of the Board to strengthen governance.
NACs derive their authority from their legal framework. Studies have shown that clear institutional arrangements and legal status are important for NACs to effectively deliver their mandates, including coordination and resource mobilisation. They legitimise the NAC and give it enough power to function well. Confusion over legal status can undermine the authority and legitimacy of the NAC. Commentators have noted that, to be effective, the NAC needs to be located in the government structure in a manner which reflects the country specific political and institutional context.
Despite consistencies, the HLSP review highlighted the diversity of approaches being taken up by NACs to adapt their structure and function, within the existing institutional set up, to better suit their local conditions and strengthen the national response. These include new Acts of Parliament, organisational restructuring, and reviews of the Board to strengthen governance.
