Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
Mailing Address: 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A.
Office Location: 801 19th Street, N.W.
Telephone (Area Code 202) 473-8951
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From: The Secretariat
September 7, 1993
ICW/93/09
International Centers' Week
October 25 -29. 1993
Washington, D.C.
Agenda Item 18
ICARDA External Program and Management Review
Attached is the Report of the Third External Review of the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). The Panel's Report is preceded by a copy of the letter from the Executive Secretary of the CGIAR and the Chair of TAC transmitting the Report to the Chairman of the CGIAR, TAC's Commentary, and ICARDA's Response to the Report.
These documents are for consideration by the Group under Agenda Item 18.
The Group will have an opportunity to comment on the issues raised by the Review Panel, and to seek clarifications from the Panel Chair and Center Management. If the Group agrees, the Panel's recommendations will be endorsed.
Attachment
Distribution
CGIAR Members
Center Board Chairs
Center Directors
TAC Chair
TAC Members
TAC Secretariat
THE CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND CGIAR SECRETARIAT
CGIAR SECRETARIAT
World Bank
May 1993
THE CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH
TAC COMMENTARY ON THE EXTERNAL REVIEW OF ICARDA
ICARDA'S RESPONSE TO THE PANEL'S REVIEW REPORT
CHAPTER 1 - EVOLUTION AND STRATEGY
1.1 Origin, Mandate and Role of ICARDA in Arid Land Agriculture
1.2 ICARDA's Strategy1.2.1 The Agroecological Thrust
1.2.2 The Commodity Thrust
1.2.3 The Activity Thrust
1.2.4 Institutional Linkages
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Farm Resource Management Program2.2.1 Agroecological Characterization
2.2.2 Natural Resource Conservation and Management
2.2.3 Analysis of Farming Systems Improvement2.3.1 Background
2.3.2 Achievements During the Past Five Years
2.3.3 Assessment
2.3.4 Overview2.4.1 Background
2.4.2 Achievements During the Past Five Years
2.4.3 Assessment
2.4.4 Overview2.5 Pasture, Forage and Livestock Program
2.5.1 Background
2.5.2 Achievements Over the Past Five Years and Assessment
2.5.3 Overview2.6.1 Background
2.6.2 Achievements and Assessment
2.6.3 Current and Planned Work
2.6.4 Overview
CHAPTER 3 - RESEARCH-RELATED PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Research Support3.2.1 Germplasm Conservation
3.2.2 Seed Health/Quarantine
3.2.3 Services3.2.3.1 Laboratory and field facilities
3.2.3.2 Computer and Biometrics
3.2.3.3 Visitor liaison3.3 National Program Support and International Cooperation
3.3.1.1 Introduction to outreach
3.3.1.2 Highland Regional Program
3.3.1.3 Arabian Peninsula Regional Program
3.3.1.4 West Asia Regional Program
3.3.1.5 Nile Valley Regional Program
3.3.1.6 North Africa Regional Program
3.3.1.7 Latin America Regional Program
3.3.1.8. Networks
3.3.1.9 Seed production3.3.2 Training and Information
3.3.3 Institutional Relationships
3.3.3.1 Host country
3.3.3.2 National agricultural research systems
3.3.3.3 Regional organizations
3.3.3.4 CGIAR centers
3.3.3.5 Other institutes and agencies
3.3.3.6 General public relations
CHAPTER 4 - ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Governance4.2.1 Size and Composition of the Board
4.2.2 Management of the Board
4.2.3 Selection, Orientation and Development of Trustees
4.2.4 Policy and Program Oversight
4.2.5 Management and Operations Oversight4.3 Leadership
4.4 Research Management4.4.1 Research Structure
4.4.2 Decision Making and Controls
4.4.3 Research Leadership
4.4.4 Strategic and Medium-Term Planning
4.4.5 Research Review Processes
4.4.6 Annual Planning and Resource Allocation Processes
4.4.7 Committees and Research
4.4.8 Research Environment and Teamwork
4.4.9 Options for Structural Change4.5.1.1 Financial condition and budget strategy
4.5.1.2 Financial management
4.5.1.3 Integrated planning and budgeting - project-based budgeting
4.5.1.4 External audit
4.5.1.5 Internal audit
4.5.1.6 Importation of Syrian currency ("the Lebanese window")4.5.2.1 Personnel policies
4.5.2.2 Regional staff
4.5.2.3 "Casual" work force
4.5.2.4 International staff
4.5.2.5 Human resource planning and development
4.5.2.6 Promotion of P-level research staff
4.5.2.7 Turnover rates and center effectiveness
4.5.2.8 Gender and staffing
4.5.2.9 Grievance procedures
4.5.2.10 Personnel officer4.5.3.1 Administration vs. Research - status, staffing and bridging the gap
4.5.3.2 Administrative services and facilities
CHAPTER 5 - THE REVIEW PROCESS
5.1 Efficiency, Efficacy and Expediency Tradeoffs
5.2 Scope of Review and the CGIAR Dependency on NARSs
5.3 Some Potentially Useful Instruments5.3.1 A Survey of NARS Clients and Collaborators
5.3.2 A Survey of ICARDA Research Staff
5.3.3 Other Approaches to Data Gathering and Analysis5.4 Exploratory Innovations and Lessons at ICARDA 1993
5.4.1 The Combination of Program and Management Review
5.4.2 Enhancement of the Panel by Consultants
5.4.3 Active Involvement of Secretariat Staff
5.4.4 Shortened Main-Phase Visit
Appendix 1: Terms of Reference for the Third External Program and Management Review of ICARDA
Appendix 2: Panel Composition and Bibliographical Information
Appendix 3: List of Persons and Institutions Contacted
Appendix 4: Survey of ICARDA Clients: Assessment of Past Performance and Future Needs
Appendix 5: Survey of ICARDA Research Staff: Questionnaire
Appendix 6: Survey of ICARDA Research Staff Summary of Responses
Appendix 7: An Agroecological Approach to Research Current Philosophy, Organization and Future Scenarios - A Concept
Appendix 8: Assessment of ICARDA's Response to the Recommendations of the 1988 External Program Review