The World Bank Report No: ISR13803 Implementation Status & Results Afghanistan Afghanistan Capacity Building for Results Facility (CBR) (P123845) Public Disclosure Copy Operation Name: Afghanistan Capacity Building for Results Facility (CBR) Project Stage: Implementation Seq.No: 6 Status: ARCHIVED Archive Date: 22-Mar-2014 (P123845) Country: Afghanistan Approval FY: 2012 Product Line: Recipient Executed Activities Region: SOUTH ASIA Lending Instrument: Technical Assistance Loan Implementing Agency(ies): IARCSC Key Dates Board Approval Date 19-Dec-2011 Original Closing Date 31-Dec-2017 Planned Mid Term Review Date 20-Jan-2014 Last Archived ISR Date 10-Dec-2013 Effectiveness Date 21-Jan-2012 Revised Closing Date 31-Dec-2017 Actual Mid Term Review Date 20-Jan-2014 Project Development Objectives Project Development Objective (from Project Appraisal Document) The project's development objective is to assist the government in improving the capacity and performance of select line ministriesin carrying out their mandates and delivering services to the Afghan people. This will be achieved through the implementation of specific capacity and institution building programs, which include systematic monitoring of and reporting on results. Has the Project Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project? Yes No Component(s) Component Name Component Cost Technical Assistance Facility for Preparation and Implementation of Capacity Building Programs 30.00 Building Human Resources 280.00 Civil Service Training 20.00 Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation 20.00 Public Disclosure Copy Overall Ratings Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO Moderately Unsatisfactory Moderately Unsatisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP) Moderately Satisfactory Moderately Satisfactory Overall Risk Rating High High Implementation Status Overview CBR's development objective is “to assist the government in improving the capacity and performance of select line ministries in carrying out their mandates and delivering services to the Afghan people”. The PDO level indicators are largely to be achieved by improving capacity and performance of line ministries through the provision of skilled civil servants to Page 1 of 7 The World Bank Report No: ISR13803 implement ministries’ reform programs. CBR is a ministry-wide program through which ministries can apply to develop a comprehensive reform plan, which is supported based upon progress on reform implementation and service delivery results. The program provides ministries with the opportunity to recruit high capacity staff into critical posts at salaries closer to the market rates. The aim is to increase on-budget service delivery and reduce reliance upon the second civil service. CBR supports on-going public administration reforms across government, training for selected civil servants, and limited technical assistance to support ministry reforms. Overall progress towards achievement of the development objective Public Disclosure Copy (DO) has been slow due to aspects of the project design, capacity issues, and political-economic factors. Establishing a comprehensive program with robust entry criteria, an appropriate salary scale and the necessary management systems is a complex undertaking given the environment. There is now clear demand for the program across government (e.g., over 50% of eligible ministries have already submitted their pre-qualification applications with others now in preparation), but the pace of project implementation would require significant acceleration to reach the project objectives within the targeted time frame. A Mid-term Review (MTR) was conducted by the World Bank and the Government of Afghanistan (GoA) during January 20-February 6, 2014. The MTR’s timing was agreed in response to implementation challenges experienced over the first two years of operations, as highlighted in the November 2013 ISM Aide Memoire. It took place in the context of a run up to general elections (April 2014) and with the expectation of governmental changes within the next six to eight months. In view of this timing, the MTR recommends early dialogue with the new administration after the election on restructuring, reinforced by the MTR findings. There was broad agreement with Government that CBR should enable more ministries to more readily access CBR support, to focus the process upon results, and to quickly deliver technical assistance (TA) where it is needed in order to support ministry reforms. The next agreed steps are focused on addressing systemic bottlenecks and restructuring preparation. • Simplification of ministry participation: Procedural and administrative changes will be made to allow for speedier clearances for ministries. Application templates and processes will be substantially simplified, TA provided up front to ministries and strengthened public administration reform (PAR) advisory support, timelines established for each step, and a reduction in review steps. • Simplification of procurement: The approach originally favored by Government of using individual consultants for implementation could be adapted to use specialized firms managed by government with the help of technical assistance teams. The tasks for support include recruitment and management of international and national consultants, M&E support across the components, training, and communications. • Restructuring: The new government could consider further streamlining of CBR, and increasing focus on results. While challenges remain, significant progress has been made in establishing the operational and policy framework for the facility. Notable progress includes: a government wide framework for the approval of CBR reform plans, the development of a constrained pay scale for high capacity Senior Management Group (SMG) staff, the development of a batch recruitment process, and the approval of the first top-tier CBR ministry. The Civil Service Commission's (CSC) new CBR civil service focal point, Director General for Civil Service Management Department, and the new CSC project support unit (PSU) project manager have been actively involved and a recruitment process is underway to address staffing gaps in both PSUs. The total number of SMG appointees under CBR is at 92, slightly lower than in November due to some being appointed as Deputy Ministers and others resigning. Recruitment for the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock's (MAIL) SMGs is proceeding with several TORs pending approval by government. Recruitment is in process for several consultants to assist MAIL with implementation of its CBR proposal and for other ministries to support HR and technical reforms. There had been substantial delays in replenishment requests submitted by Government, but it is now up to date with replenishment requests at $6.8 million. The last Implementation Support Mission (ISM) rated progress towards achievement of the project DO as Moderately Unsatisfactory and Overall Implementation Progress as Moderately Satisfactory. These ratings remain valid for the MTR but they will be further impacted if the current operational pace continues. Public Disclosure Copy Note: The government revised the “tier” terminology to categorize the highest level of support as Tier 3 and the lowest Tier 1, which is relevant for the results section PDO indicators. Locations Country First Administrative Division Location Planned Actual Afghanistan Kabul Wilayat-e Kabul ✔ Results Project Development Objective Indicators Page 2 of 7 The World Bank Report No: ISR13803 Indicator Name Core Unit of Measure Baseline Current End Target Development budget execution rates for Tier 1 Percentage Value 30.00 68.00 60.00 ministries tend to rise over the course of the Date 31-Dec-2011 06-Feb-2014 31-Dec-2017 Public Disclosure Copy project Comments MoF budget execution figures MAIL has started CBR to be considered for implementation, and a measurement. number of posts have been advertised. The existing SMGs and new SMGs (e.g., Procurement Director, and Director Policy and Planning) will be working to implement MAIL’s CBR, which includes reforms to improve budget execution. Number and percentage of targeted business Number Value 0.00 3.00 process improvements achieved in Tier 1 Date 31-Dec-2011 06-Feb-2014 31-Dec-2017 ministries tends to rise over the course of the Comments Business process MAIL 1391 (Calendar Year This indicator measures project improvements should 2012) Baseline/current figure: gradual improvement in line contribute to improved service 3 business process ministry processes. delivery through results improvements monitoring and achievement, enhancing accountability, MAIL 1393 (CY 2014) reducing leakage of budget Target value: 21 business funds etc. process improvements Number and percentage of Tier 1 ministries Number Value 0.00 0.00 achieving progress on at least 1 service Date 31-Dec-2011 06-Feb-2014 31-Dec-2017 targeted in their CBR proposals Comments MAIL has made itself This indicator measures accountable for improving improvements in service multiple services under its delivery. CBR Results Framework which includes introduction of newvarieties of wheat seeds Public Disclosure Copy introduced, expansion of irrigated land, and improved extension services. These improvements are being linked to improved staffing at the management and technical levels through CBR and targeted trainings. Page 3 of 7 The World Bank Report No: ISR13803 Number of Senior Management Group (SMG) Number Value 70.00 92.00 750.00 positions filled Date 31-Dec-2011 06-Feb-2014 31-Dec-2017 Comments By end December 2011, there 92 SMG positions are funded Public Disclosure Copy were approximately 95 MCP through CBR. (Of these, 33 experts who are eligible for posts were recruited through SMG positions. CBR and the others migrated from MCP.) 6 additional SMGs are pending presidential approval. The reduction of total SMGs to 92 since Nov. is due to some being appointed as DeputyMinister (not CBR supported positions) and some resigning. Intermediate Results Indicators Indicator Name Core Unit of Measure Baseline Current End Target Number of CBR cadres established Number Value 0.00 4.00 10.00 (professional cadres and common function Date 31-Dec-2011 06-Feb-2014 31-Dec-2017 groups) continuosly increases during project Comments 5 Professional Groups (4 The number and types of implementation Common Function and 1 cadres will depend on the group in MAIL) are de facto CBR proposals. Initial target now under development, but anticipated during the the procedures which appraisal of the project formallyestablish them need was10. to be developed and approved by government. Percentage of SMG deployed to sub-national Percentage Value 0.00 29.00 20.00 positions Date 31-Dec-2011 06-Feb-2014 31-Dec-2017 Comments There are currently 6 SMG Public Disclosure Copy posts at the subnational level, 2 of which are in MAIL. As this indicator only calculates percentage of Tier 3 subnational SMGs, the figure is only based on MAIL. MAIL has 7 active SMG posts of which 2 are subnational for a 29% rate. MAIL plans to recruit 30 subnational posts. (Note: The figure in Nov 2013 Page 4 of 7 The World Bank Report No: ISR13803 for MAIL should have been 37.5% as MAIL had 8 active SMGs, of which 3 were at the subnational level.) Public Disclosure Copy Reduction in vacancy rates of tashkeel Percentage Value 0.00 0.00 positions across government Date 31-Dec-2011 06-Feb-2014 31-Dec-2017 Comments Government is not able to A natural level of vacancy provide this data. rates of less than 20% is the Government and the Bank target. Measured by average should consider if this of percentage of vacancy indicator should be removed rates across government when the project is each year. restructured. Number of women in senior civil service Number Value 80.00 116.00 100.00 increases Date 31-Dec-2011 06-Feb-2014 31-Dec-2017 Comments Data received from IARCSC 116 as per Central Statistics central database and Gender Office 2013 data. Unit. Recently, one female SMG was recruited to Ministry of Commerce and Industry through CBR. Number of ministries which have completed Number Value 8.00 21.00 23.00 pay and grading. Date 31-Dec-2011 06-Feb-2014 31-Dec-2017 Comments 21 ministries have completed Includes all ministries except the pay and grading process Ministry of Interior (MoI) and (i.e., have recruited 60% of Ministry of Defense (MoD). reformed tashkeel). There is only 1 remaining ministry (not including the security ministries) that has not completed a 60% level of recruitment (Foreign Affairs). Public Disclosure Copy All CBR ministries develop a functioning O&M Text Value N/A 0 All ministries with CBR management system within 18 months of Proposals. participation. Date 31-Dec-2011 06-Feb-2014 30-Dec-2017 Comments MAIL has a software called M-Plus installed in the center and 7 zonal offices which will be used for asset management. More work Page 5 of 7 The World Bank Report No: ISR13803 isneeded for this system to be functional. Percentage increase in the amount of O&M Percentage Value 0.00 0.00 budget allocated to sub-national departments Public Disclosure Copy Date 31-Dec-2011 06-Feb-2014 31-Dec-2017 in Tier 1 ministries. Comments MAIL proposal has been No target value determined. approved and MoCIT Allocation will be determined proposal will be agreed by the on the basis of line ministry Steering Committee in requirements and MoF. February. This indicator will require line ministries to be implementing their programs and receiving SMG civil service posts and TA support. O&M budget execution rate of provincial Percentage Value 0.00 0.00 departments in Tier 1 ministries increases. Date 31-Dec-2011 06-Feb-2014 31-Dec-2017 Comments Indicator requires approved No targets determined. Line ministries to be implementing ministries will be evaluated on their reform programs. the basis of their CBR proposals and respective MoUs with MoF Data on Financial Performance (as of 25-Feb-2014) Financial Agreement(s) Key Dates Project Ln/Cr/Tf Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Original Closing Date Revised Closing Date P123845 TF-11447 Effective 21-Jan-2012 21-Jan-2012 21-Jan-2012 31-Dec-2017 31-Dec-2017 Disbursements (in Millions) Project Ln/Cr/Tf Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed % Disbursed P123845 TF-11447 Effective USD 100.00 100.00 0.00 32.00 68.00 32.00 Public Disclosure Copy Disbursement Graph Page 6 of 7 The World Bank Report No: ISR13803 Public Disclosure Copy Key Decisions Regarding Implementation No decisions for disclosure under this ISR. Restructuring History There has been no restructuring to date. Related Projects There are no related projects. Public Disclosure Copy Page 7 of 7