Mutual accountability is a core CAADP principle where parties hold each other accountable for commitments. A mutual accountability framework was developed to guide processes at various levels. Joint sector reviews are one way to operationalize mutual accountability at the country level by assessing sector performance and results. Current efforts are focusing on strengthening existing joint sector review processes and reports in seven countries through the collection of data and analysis by national and IFPRI/ReSAKSS teams. Partnerships with various organizations will support strengthened mutual accountability and joint sector reviews.

1. I
Godfrey Bahiigwa
IFPRI/ReSAKSS
10th CAADP PP Meeting
Durban, South Africa
March 19-21, 2014
Strengthening Mutual
Accountability Through Agricultural
Joint Sector Reviews

2. What is Mutual Accountability?
 Mutual accountability is a process by which two
or more parties hold one another accountable for
the commitments they have voluntarily made to
one another
 Mutual accountability (MA) is a core principle of
the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture
Development Program (CAADP)
 A mutual accountability framework (MAF) for
CAADP was developed by NCPA in 2011 to guide
mutual accountability processes at
continental, regional and country levels

3. Principles of Mutual Accountability
 A share vision or agenda among the
cooperating parties
 Common objectives and strategies aimed at
achieving the vision
 Jointly agreed performance indicators based on
mutually agreed performance criteria
 Genuine dialogue and debate process based on
consent, common values and trust

4. Elements of an Effective Mutual Accountability Process
 Evidence-based: need technical credibility
to minimize biases
 Ownership: all concerned stakeholders
need to be involved from the start
 Debate: open and transparent discussions
 Behavior change – towards better
performance outcomes based on
evidence, ownership and debate

5. What is a Joint Sector Review (JSR)?
 A joint sector review (JSR) is one way of
operationalizing the mutual accountability
framework at country level
 The JSR process creates a platform to:
» assess the performance and results of the
agriculture sector
» assist governments in setting sector policy and
priorities
» assess how well state and non state actors have
implemented pledges and commitments (laid
out in NAIPs, and other agreements)

6. Principles of a Joint Sector Review
 National ownership and leadership
 Relevance to NAIP or cooperation agreement
 Inclusive participation
 Commitment to results by all participants
 Impartiality and evidence-based
 Enhance national planning
 Sensitivity to gender
 Learning experience

7. What to monitor in a Joint Sector Review?
 Development results e.g. income growth, poverty and
hunger reduction, food and nutrition security, etc
 Overall agricultural sector growth target, with specific
subsector and commodity targets
 Required financial and non-financial resources to
effectively implement the plan
 Policies, programs, institutions, and implementation
processes
 Linkages (including pathways to achieve the development
results), enabling environment and assumptions

8. Building Blocks/Best Practices of a Joint Sector Review
 Set up a JSR steering committee chaired by Ministry of
Agriculture
 Establish JSR secretariat
 Develop terms of reference for the JSR
 Mobilize resources
 Constitute review team
 Commission review studies
 Prepare JSR report
 Conduct JSR meeting
 Draw implementation and follow-up plan for the
recommendations from the JSR
 Share JSR experience and lessons with other countries

9. Current Efforts to Strengthen MA/JSRs (1)
 ReSAKSS being the main CAADP platform fro review, learning, and
benchmarking has been designated by AUC and NPCA to support efforts
to introduce JSR practices where they do not exist and improve their
quality where they do.
 Currently, country JSR assessment reports are produced for seven
countries including Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique,
Senegal, Tanzania.
 Because most countries already carry out some type of sector review,
the emphasis of the current effort is on value addition, building and
improving on existing reports.
 The reports are to be prepared by combined teams of IFPRI, ReSAKSS
and national experts, based on data and input gathered locally.
 The reports will be validated in technical meetings to be organized in
each country and are expected to be ready by April 2014.

10. Current Efforts to Strengthen MA/JSRs (2)
 Steps taken for country action:
» IFPRI/ReSAKSS country teams established for the
seven countries
» Notification of countries by AUC/NPCA or RECs on
purpose, activities, and outputs of review process
through letters to Minsters of Agriculture
» Sharing of JSR report outline and memo to countries
describing what needs to be done and how
» Schedule for the two-day national JSR workshop
provided to IFPRI/ReSAKSS teams, also data
collection instruments provided
» Workshop dates already set for all the seven
countries
» Reports expected first week of April

11. Partnerships for JSR (1)
 AUC/NPCA
» led the process of producing JSR guidelines.
» Provide political support to the IFPRI/ReSAKSS teams by communicating
officially and introducing the teams and the purpose of their visits
 ReSAKSS
» Support strengthening/establishment of country SAKSS which will play
important roles in future JSRs
» Organize meetings with high level government officials and development
partners and participate in launch activities
» Carry out analytical work guided by the JSR concept note and gaps identified
in consultation with the country team
» Undertake training on JSRs in countries where needed
» Assess capacity of country team and identify gaps
» Provide additional support to governments in terms of planning and logistics
and the launch of MA/JSRs
 IFPRI
» developed the JSR concept note to guide technical work needed to provide
analysis and evidence to inform JSRs.
» Utilize IFPRI research outputs to improve the quality of MA/JSR process in-
country by providing research based evidence

12. Partnerships for JSR (2)
 Country teams
» Drive the MA/JSR processes in-country
» Develop and create ownership of the JSR roadmap
» Support IFPRI/ReSAKSS teams by setting up meetings with relevant people
» Identification of knowledge gaps that will guide analytical work by
IFPRI/ReSAKSS
» Participate in analytical work for JSRs
 Donors
» Facilitate communication with national partners
» Provide addition financial support to the SAKSS and JSR activities, based on
needs identified by the country.
» Identification of areas in NAIPs and cooperation agreements that require
analytical support
» Encouraging utilization and follow-up of findings from the MA/JSR process to
inform debate and decision-making
 RECs
» Support IFPRI-ReSAKSS teams in member states

13. Thank You