Annex I - Summary of Recommendations of the 1989 Review and ICRAF's Implementation

No.

Recommendations of '89 Review

ICRAF's Implementation

Panel's Remarks

Score*

1.

Negotiation with IDRC on the legal positions of ICRAF vis-a-vis the executing agency

Action was taken and confirmed in a letter from IDRC to chair of BoT

Action was taken as indicated.

2

2.

Donor Support Group (DSG) request to World Bank to act as DSG Secretariat

Request was made by Chair of DSG to World Bank but the request was declined. DSG was dissolved in 1991 during admission of ICRAF into the CGIAR.

1

3.

Review of ICRAF's restricted projects

In 1991, budget on a "cost centre format" was established. All projects were classified as CORE and complementary as per the CGIAR definition, as shown in 1991, 1992 and 1993 budgets & programmes of work.

Reclassification took place. However, no evidence of attempts to negotiate this reclassification with donors as recommended by the 1989 Review. Donors' reaction to classification is unknown.

1

4.

Donors providing increased core funds to ICRAF

No specific action was taken on this recommendation. The proportion of core unrestricted vs. core restricted funds remains similar in 1992 as it was in 1989 (i.e. 45% unrestricted, 55% restricted). The percentage of complementary funds is currently 6%.

1

5.

International professional staff

All international staff positions are advertised internationally through various channels.

Action taken as indicated. However, it is not clear whether a nationally recruited professional staff's position will be automatically upgraded to international status on the acquisition of a Ph.D. in line with the spirit of Recommendation 5.

2

6.

Professional staff policies

ICRAF developed a policy in 1992 for post doctoral candidates and visiting scientists.

ICRAF is silent on the implementation of the accepted recommendations for enhancement of grade 1-3 to make them sufficiently competitive to attract specialized staff such as professional accountants and computer programmers.

1

7.

Detailed policy on selection of ICRAF staff for training

No action has been taken in terms of a policy.

No reason was given for non-implementation.

0

8.

Field staff proficiency in local languages

In almost all cases, field staff already know more than two languages including the local languages of the region where they are working.

2

9.

Three management positions

A Budget Officer has been recruited. Post of Management Accountant is budgeted for 1992 and that of Internal Auditor for 1994. A new Director of FINAD assumed duties on 1 August, 1992.

2

10.

Reversal of accrued staff benefits

This was reversed in 1989.

Implementation further confirmed during presentation to BoT.

2

11.

Improvement to financial reporting
(Strong recommendation)

Head of Finance was recruited in 1990; budgeting and accounting system has been transformed to a "project cost centre based system", with monthly reports to project leaders, programme coordinators, division administrators and senior management.

Confirmed from the officers listed in column 3.

2

12.

Formalizing overdraft facilities

In 1989 overdraft facility of $500,000 was negotiated with CITIBANK, New York.

Implementation was confirmed during presentation to BoT.

2

13.

Working capital
(Strong recommendation)

Identified as a budget line item but ICRAF has never reached a level of provision of one month operating expenditure.

Amount expected at the end of the 1992 financial year is $600,000.

2

14.

Headquarters Building Deficit (HBD)

HBD was absorbed into the operating fund. The entire operating deficit was removed in 1991.

Implementation was confirmed during presentation to BoT.

2

15.

Restricted project funds as current liabilities

The recommendation was effected immediately.

2

16.

Budgetary controls
(Strong recommendation)

A rigorous procedure has been introduced. Main control mechanisms are coding by division administrators, monthly management report, half-yearly budget revisions.

Implementation confirmed during BoT meeting.

2

17.

Explicit research agenda

A detailed research programme has been developed and an ICRAF strategy has been developed.

Confirmed during field visit to Machakos.

2

18.

Laboratories at Machakos

Machakos Station is currently being developed for soil and plant analysis.

Confirmed during field visit to Machakos.

2

19.

Soil science staff at ICRAF

Soil science capacity has been strengthened. Both the DG and Director of Research are soil scientists.

Implementation is confirmed.

2

20.

Emphasis on on-farm and MPT research

Various aspects of the recommendation have been implemented. (See details in ICRAF's notes).

Implementation is confirmed.

2

21.

MPT research

This programme has grown in importance and includes many new activities. (See details in ICRAF's notes).

Implementation will form part of activities envisaged under the MPT Germplasm Centre.

2

22.

Collaboration with IARCs

ICRAF has active collaboration in Africa with ICRISAT and IITA. Active collaboration exists with ILCA on MPT germplasm. (See additional details in ICRAF's notes).

Degree of collaboration with IITA, ILCA and ICRISAT will be ascertained in a letter to the three Centres mentioned.

2

23.

Joint surveys with ILRAD and ILCA

Not yet implemented.

0

24.

Support for on-farm research

To ensure multidisciplinarity, ICRAF has recruited a forester, agronomist and soil scientist into Programme 5 (on-farm research). (See further details in ICRAF notes).

Confirmed during presentations to the Panel.

2

25.

Formal procedures for monitoring scientific work

Implemented procedures include specialized workshops/meetings, rigorous evaluation of programmes, formal scientific conferences and annual planning and review meeting (APR).

Implementation was confirmed during various presentations to the Panel.

2

26.

Formal programme review

Annual planning and review has been instituted.

An APR was in progress during the current review exercise.

2

27.

Restructuring of divisions

In 1990, ICRAF established one Research Division with 5 "strategic" research programmes and the networks. A Division of Training and Information was also established.

During the current session of BoT Information and Documentation (Programme 8) and Communications (Programme 9) have been amalgamated to form a new Division/Department of Dissemination.

2

28.

INFOCOM strategy

Implementation is as outlined in ICRAF Strategy document.

Confirmed.

2

29.

INFODOC strategy

Has been implemented as outlined.

Confirmed.

2

30.

INFOCOM building

No capital development has taken place at Headquarters since the last review.

Confirmed.

2

31.

Expansion of social science research
(Strong recommendation)

ICRAF has expanded social sciences research at field sites.

Implementation was confirmed by various presentations to the Panel for the period 1989-91. But the relative strength is not reflected in the Medium-Term Plan.

2

32.

Computer capability

Computer hardware and software have been streamlined (See additional details in ICRAF notes).

Confirmed.

2

33.

Training trainers

Fully implemented

Confirmed during presentations to the Panel.

2

34.

Decentralization of training

Close to 50% of ICRAF training course now take place outside of Headquarters.

Confirmed.

2

35.

Strategy 2000

Document prepared but subsequently replaced by "ICRAF The Way Ahead"

Confirmed.

2

36.

More emphasis on indigenous tree species

Recommendation has been implemented. (See ICRAF's notes)

Confirmed.

2

* 0 = None implementation
1 = Partial implementation
2 = Full implementation

No.	Recommendations of '89 Review	ICRAF's Implementation	Panel's Remarks	Score*
1.	Negotiation with IDRC on the legal positions of ICRAF vis-a-vis the executing agency	Action was taken and confirmed in a letter from IDRC to chair of BoT	Action was taken as indicated.	2
2.	Donor Support Group (DSG) request to World Bank to act as DSG Secretariat	Request was made by Chair of DSG to World Bank but the request was declined. DSG was dissolved in 1991 during admission of ICRAF into the CGIAR.		1
3.	Review of ICRAF's restricted projects	In 1991, budget on a "cost centre format" was established. All projects were classified as CORE and complementary as per the CGIAR definition, as shown in 1991, 1992 and 1993 budgets & programmes of work.	Reclassification took place. However, no evidence of attempts to negotiate this reclassification with donors as recommended by the 1989 Review. Donors' reaction to classification is unknown.	1
4.	Donors providing increased core funds to ICRAF	No specific action was taken on this recommendation. The proportion of core unrestricted vs. core restricted funds remains similar in 1992 as it was in 1989 (i.e. 45% unrestricted, 55% restricted). The percentage of complementary funds is currently 6%.		1
5.	International professional staff	All international staff positions are advertised internationally through various channels.	Action taken as indicated. However, it is not clear whether a nationally recruited professional staff's position will be automatically upgraded to international status on the acquisition of a Ph.D. in line with the spirit of Recommendation 5.	2
6.	Professional staff policies	ICRAF developed a policy in 1992 for post doctoral candidates and visiting scientists.	ICRAF is silent on the implementation of the accepted recommendations for enhancement of grade 1-3 to make them sufficiently competitive to attract specialized staff such as professional accountants and computer programmers.	1
7.	Detailed policy on selection of ICRAF staff for training	No action has been taken in terms of a policy.	No reason was given for non-implementation.	0
8.	Field staff proficiency in local languages	In almost all cases, field staff already know more than two languages including the local languages of the region where they are working.		2
9.	Three management positions	A Budget Officer has been recruited. Post of Management Accountant is budgeted for 1992 and that of Internal Auditor for 1994. A new Director of FINAD assumed duties on 1 August, 1992.		2
10.	Reversal of accrued staff benefits	This was reversed in 1989.	Implementation further confirmed during presentation to BoT.	2
11.	Improvement to financial reporting (Strong recommendation)	Head of Finance was recruited in 1990; budgeting and accounting system has been transformed to a "project cost centre based system", with monthly reports to project leaders, programme coordinators, division administrators and senior management.	Confirmed from the officers listed in column 3.	2
12.	Formalizing overdraft facilities	In 1989 overdraft facility of $500,000 was negotiated with CITIBANK, New York.	Implementation was confirmed during presentation to BoT.	2
13.	Working capital (Strong recommendation)	Identified as a budget line item but ICRAF has never reached a level of provision of one month operating expenditure.	Amount expected at the end of the 1992 financial year is $600,000.	2
14.	Headquarters Building Deficit (HBD)	HBD was absorbed into the operating fund. The entire operating deficit was removed in 1991.	Implementation was confirmed during presentation to BoT.	2
15.	Restricted project funds as current liabilities	The recommendation was effected immediately.		2
16.	Budgetary controls (Strong recommendation)	A rigorous procedure has been introduced. Main control mechanisms are coding by division administrators, monthly management report, half-yearly budget revisions.	Implementation confirmed during BoT meeting.	2
17.	Explicit research agenda	A detailed research programme has been developed and an ICRAF strategy has been developed.	Confirmed during field visit to Machakos.	2
18.	Laboratories at Machakos	Machakos Station is currently being developed for soil and plant analysis.	Confirmed during field visit to Machakos.	2
19.	Soil science staff at ICRAF	Soil science capacity has been strengthened. Both the DG and Director of Research are soil scientists.	Implementation is confirmed.	2
20.	Emphasis on on-farm and MPT research	Various aspects of the recommendation have been implemented. (See details in ICRAF's notes).	Implementation is confirmed.	2
21.	MPT research	This programme has grown in importance and includes many new activities. (See details in ICRAF's notes).	Implementation will form part of activities envisaged under the MPT Germplasm Centre.	2
22.	Collaboration with IARCs	ICRAF has active collaboration in Africa with ICRISAT and IITA. Active collaboration exists with ILCA on MPT germplasm. (See additional details in ICRAF's notes).	Degree of collaboration with IITA, ILCA and ICRISAT will be ascertained in a letter to the three Centres mentioned.	2
23.	Joint surveys with ILRAD and ILCA	Not yet implemented.		0
24.	Support for on-farm research	To ensure multidisciplinarity, ICRAF has recruited a forester, agronomist and soil scientist into Programme 5 (on-farm research). (See further details in ICRAF notes).	Confirmed during presentations to the Panel.	2
25.	Formal procedures for monitoring scientific work	Implemented procedures include specialized workshops/meetings, rigorous evaluation of programmes, formal scientific conferences and annual planning and review meeting (APR).	Implementation was confirmed during various presentations to the Panel.	2
26.	Formal programme review	Annual planning and review has been instituted.	An APR was in progress during the current review exercise.	2
27.	Restructuring of divisions	In 1990, ICRAF established one Research Division with 5 "strategic" research programmes and the networks. A Division of Training and Information was also established.	During the current session of BoT Information and Documentation (Programme 8) and Communications (Programme 9) have been amalgamated to form a new Division/Department of Dissemination.	2
28.	INFOCOM strategy	Implementation is as outlined in ICRAF Strategy document.	Confirmed.	2
29.	INFODOC strategy	Has been implemented as outlined.	Confirmed.	2
30.	INFOCOM building	No capital development has taken place at Headquarters since the last review.	Confirmed.	2
31.	Expansion of social science research (Strong recommendation)	ICRAF has expanded social sciences research at field sites.	Implementation was confirmed by various presentations to the Panel for the period 1989-91. But the relative strength is not reflected in the Medium-Term Plan.	2
32.	Computer capability	Computer hardware and software have been streamlined (See additional details in ICRAF notes).	Confirmed.	2
33.	Training trainers	Fully implemented	Confirmed during presentations to the Panel.	2
34.	Decentralization of training	Close to 50% of ICRAF training course now take place outside of Headquarters.	Confirmed.	2
35.	Strategy 2000	Document prepared but subsequently replaced by "ICRAF The Way Ahead"	Confirmed.	2
36.	More emphasis on indigenous tree species	Recommendation has been implemented. (See ICRAF's notes)	Confirmed.	2