“PUENTE IN THE CARIBBEAN”

1. “PUENTE IN THE CARIBBEAN” Progress Report Work plan Suriname Ministry of Social Affairs and Public Housing (MSAPH) Presented by: MarsianePartowidjojo , Policy Official Angela Salmo, Policy Official Chili, Santiago, 26 October – 03 November 2009

2. Country Objective To execute and manage an effective and efficient Social Safety Net (SSN)

3. Original work plan Suriname Anticipated objects in the project: Integration of social services on national level Design of a uniform exit strategy applicable to all social services in Suriname

4. Consultations at MSAPH Evaluation of immaterial services within the Social Safety Net (SSN) at MSAPH through internal consultations: divisions providing Immaterial services at MSAPH lack the capacity to execute nationwide on levels of: - sufficient and/or specialized staff - knowledge on monitoring & evaluation on execution level - infrastructure for deconcentration of services (remote areas also, s.a. the interior) - synchronizing of immaterial and material social services - budgetary restraints - restraints in wages policy (FISO) - Transparency of work procedures

5. Next steps toward work plan Revised work plan with the following objectives: Strengthening and Integration of social services of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Public Housing (Phase I) Integration of social services of Suriname (Phase II) Design of a uniform exit strategy applicable to all social services in Suriname (Phase III)

6. Phase I: Strengthening and Integration of social services of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Public Housing Consultations with consultants and internal assessments on capacity strengthening on levels of: - implementation and absorption capacity on policy and executive level; - human resources development including general capacity and management skills - institutions to support capacity building

7. Status report Implementation and absorption capacity on policy and executive level: Detailed assessment on capacities needed on all levels of the ministry Detailed evaluation of executive working methods

8. Status report Detailed assessment on capacities needed on all levels of the ministry: Meetings with policy officials, head of divisions and field officers Visits to field offices to observe working procedures and facilities

9. Status report Detailed evaluation of executive working methods: Logistics Administration Referral system Counseling & coaching methods Monitoring & evaluation methods

10. Challenges faced Ownership on all levels (minister, directors, head of div., fieldworkers, external stakeholders) Budgetary restraints Continuity of policy priority SSN after elections May 2010 Increasing capacities on all levels (FISO award restraints) Reorganization of working methods (logistics, administration, referral system, etc.)

11. Lessons learned Set feasible goals (results in 1st work plan too high) Ownership in early stage of project Detailed screening of social services division beforehand

12. Plans for the future Finalizing assessment inception capacity strengthening plan (CSP) of MSAPH Develop a CSP Lobby with government for approval & execution Interim monitoring & evaluation of execution CSP Compare CSP with needed capacities of Puente

13. Support from FOSIS More info on referral system of the Puente Human resources capacities within Puente (posts & capacities) More info on monitoring & evaluation system Available social services for people with disabilities and the elderly for active citizenship Counseling & coaching plan & link with referral system

14. Support from OAS Technical assistance Training in specialized social work Twinning projects on social work Administration assistance

15. Thank you!