Report of the Third External Programme and Management Review of the International Service for National Agricultural Research (ISNAR)

Table of Contents

CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND CGIAR SECRETARIAT

TAC SECRETARIAT

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS

October 1997

SDR/TAC:IAR/96/23

Review Panel:

Dr. Samuel Paul (Chairman)
Dr. Jacques Brossier
Dr. Kenneth Hoadley
Dr. Jesus Moncada de la Fuente
Dr. Mandi Rukuni
Dr. Roberto Vazquez Platero
Dr. Guido Gryseels (Panel Secretary, TAC Secretariat)
Dr. Selcuk Özgedíz (CGIAR Secretariat)

CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND CGIAR SECRETARIAT

TAC SECRETARIAT

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS

December 1997

Extract from "Summary of Proceedings and Decisions", CGIAR Mid-Term Meeting 1997, Cairo, Egypt

Letter from TAC Chairman and CGIAR Executive Secretary, transmitting the Report of the Third External Programme and Management Review

TAC Commentary on the Third External Programme and Management Review of ISNAR

ISNAR's response to the Third External Programme and Management Review

Transmittal letter from Panel Chairman to TAC Chairman and CGIAR Executive Secretary

OVERVIEW

LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background
1.2 Internal and External Developments
1.3 Conduct of the Review
1.4 Outline of the Report

2. STRATEGY

2.1 Background
2.2 The Strategy for the Nineties
2.3 Implementing the Strategy: An Assessment

2.3.1 Has ISNAR implemented a sound research-based strategy?
2.3.2 How adequately has ISNAR focused its country services?
2.3.3 Has ISNAR been able to forge strategic alliances to deal with the increasing volume and complexity of the country demands?
2.3.4 Are the staff composition and program structure consistent with ISNAR's strategy?
2.3.5 How has ISNAR addressed the strategic theme of institutional sustainability?

2.4 Concluding Remark

3. OUTPUTS AND IMPACT

3.1 Background
3.2 Outputs
3.3 The ICER on ISNAR's Impact
3.4 Impact

3.4.1 Raising awareness
3.4.2 Influencing policy
3.4.3 Developing institutions
3.4.4 Introducing tools
3.4.5 Training

3.5 Conclusions

4. QUALITY

4.1 Quality of Research, Service, and Training
4.2 Quality Management Process

5. MANAGEMENT

5.1 Governance
5.2 Leadership
5.3 Organizational Climate
5.4 Management Systems and Processes

5.4.1 Human resource management
5.4.2 Finance and accounting
5.4.3 Information and computer services
5.4.4 General administration
5.4.5 Legal status and host-country relations

6. THE FUTURE

6.1 The Changing Environment
6.2 Lessons from the Past
6.3 The Niche
6.4 Looking Ahead: Pointers for Action

6.4.1 Research
6.4.2 Service
6.4.3 Capacity building

6.5 Major Implications

6.5.1 Reaffirming the mission
6.5.2 Divesting activities
6.5.3 Influencing the agendas of donors
6.5.4 The need for a supportive mix of skills and structures

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ANNEXES

ANNEX A: ASSESSMENTS

1. RESEARCH POLICY AND SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

1.1 Introduction
1.2 Scope of Work and Program Activities
1.3 Assessments
1.4 Conclusions and Recommendations

2. MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

2.1 Introduction
2.2 Description of Activities
2.3 Assessment
2.4 Future Directions of the Management Program

3. SPECIALIZED SERVICES

3.1 Computer Services
3.2 Library
3.3 Publications
3.4 Training

4. GOVERNANCE, MANAGEMENT, AND ADMINISTRATION

4.1 Legal Status and Host-Country Relations
4.2 Board of Trustees
4.3 Organizational Structure and Climate
4.4 Management of Human Resources
4.5 Planning and Review Process
4.6 Management of Financial Resources
4.7 General Administration

ANNEX B

1. ISNAR RESPONSES TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE LAST EXTERNAL REVIEW (JULY 1991)
2. TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR PANELS CONDUCTING EXTERNAL REVIEWS OF CGIAR CENTRES

2.1 Background
2.2 Purpose
2.3 The Report and Recommendations
2.4 The Response and Follow-up

3. PANEL COMPOSITION
4. BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

ACRONYMS