MODULE 8. DESIGNING THE INSTITUTIONAL SET UP AND DRAFTING THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Objective

This module focusses on the design of the organizational structure of the SWS (or any similar mechanism).

It aims at providing insights on the design of the appropriate organisation structure in order to ensure its efficiency and effectiveness, as well as the feasibility of the project. While the understanding of the local context will be key to design the institutional set-up, the module intends to identify key principles for this part of the design.

 

Key questions

1. Who should be in charge of the SWS?
2. What links the SWS establishment with the decentralisation and deconcentration (D&D) reforms of one country?
3. How to set-up the SWS in case there are previously existing structures?
4. What are the key principle not to forget while defining the SWS structure?
 

Take away message

The SWS aims to play a central role in the provision of social services to the people as well as in the monitoring of public policies. In addition, the SWS with its facility implemented at local level is likely to impact local administrations and the role taken by these administrations are in the global administrative structure of the country. There is no a unique answer to who should be in charge of the mechanism, however, its legitimacy to coordinate the different stakeholders at national and local levels will be key for the success of the project.

It is also important to ensure that the SWS is consistent with the decentralisation and decontration vision of the country, and that roles and responsibilities at each layer of the sub-national administration are in line with the country's framework and capacities of local governements. The SWS does not aim at replacing any existing organisations, it should be articulated with them and fill the gaps.

In respect with good governance, one can consider the following principles while designing the SWS institutional set-up:

• Efficient and transparent monitoring;
• Voice of the people and accessible complaint and grievance mechanisms;
• Coordination at every level; and
• Traceability of the information.

Master Module 8

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