Pct38
Africa RISING PCT #38
16 October 2019
Skype call
Present
- Bernard Vanlauwe (BV) - Chair
- Peter Thorne (PT)
- Jonathan Odhong' (JO) – Secretary
- Irmgard Hoeschle-Zeledon (IHZ)
- Siboniso Moyo (SM)
Apologies
- Jerry Glover (JG)
- Carlo Azzarri (CA)
Agenda
- Follow up on action points from previous meeting - http://africa-rising-wiki.net/Pct37
- Progress of internally commissioned external review (ICER)
- Any other business
- Handover of role of Chair from IITA to ILRI
Follow up on action points from previous meeting
Minutes from - PCT #36 and - PCT #37 were reviewed. The following notes were made:
- Two action points for CA, GF & BV relating to DDL and upload of sensitive qualitative data from - PCT #36 hasn’t been done. JO to send a polite reminder to CA & GF about this.
- Action point for IHZ & PT on harmonization across the AR program from [http://africa-rising-wiki.net/Pct36 - PCT #36 wasn’t done. Program-wide harmonization is still important, specifically in the areas of SIAF operationalization, collection of minimum data sets and publication of cross regional research papers. Members agreed on 3 ‘sub-action’ points to be reported on/advanced at the next meeting (#PCT 39):
- PT & IHZ to have a follow-up meeting with the Chief Scientists to establish progress on the various harmonization action points agreed during the previous meeting between the chief scientists and project managers.
- A follow-up discussion to be slotted in the agenda for #PCT 39 to specifically discuss plans for how to advance the SIA Framework.
- IHZ & PT will coordinate the program’s response to issues relating to harmonization that are likely to emerge from interim report of the internally commissioned external review.
- Action point for JO on production of an annual Africa RISING program activity synthesis document from - PCT #36 wasn’t done. This activity is still important. JO to draft an outline for this proposed document and share with PCT members for comment/feedback before PCT #39. Also, check with JG whether this kind of document would be valuable for people within USAID.
An update from - PCT #37: Majority of the funds were received by IITA & ILRI except for program communication and M&E. In a follow up call three weeks ago, JG informed IHZ that these delayed funds were forthcoming before end of 2019.
Progress of internally commissioned external review
- PT & IHZ reported that one of the reviewers (Nancy) had requested to withdraw from the exercise. A notice of the same has also been sent to the IITA human resource.
- A follow up discussion between IHZ, CA, PT and Christine (ICER Chair) had taken place. A decision has been taken to proceed with the review. Christine taking up some of Nancy’s responsibilities within the review team.
- Interim report on the review from West Africa and Ethiopian Highlands project is expected in early/mid-November.
- NOTE: Once the interim ICER report comes out, a special PCT meeting should be organized to discuss some of the emerging recommendations. Secretary to coordinate this with Chair.
Any Other Business
- BV – This may be a bit too early, but worth keeping in sight. Maybe we can organize a separate discussion about this later. How will Africa RISING fit within the changes in the CGIAR coming into effect in 2022? Are we considering another phase? If you read the current recommendations for - ONE CGIAR, they see pooled funding going into large projects of about $10 million for 3 years (about the size of AR), of course AR is a windows 3 program. So, it depends also on how USAID is going to engage in this reshaped CGIAR – will they be sticking with windows 3 programs like AR or they will convert activities like AR into one of those pooled fund activities which are expected to start in January 2022.
- PT – AR phase II finishes on paper in September 2021, but there may be a no cost extension considering the time frames for the release of funds. Just as alluded to by BV, the question about whether there is a next phase in the horizon for Africa RISING has also come up during the ICER. However, I couldn’t give any definitive answers. It is likely that the review team will come up with suggestions about areas where it might be worthwhile to look for donor investments for follow-on activities for Africa RISING and this could provide a legitimate entry point into discussion points raised by BV. Maybe we should look at this at the end of ICER.
- SM – The topics raised by BV are important for us to keep on our table considering the way issues are evolving within the CGIAR. It is unlikely that we will have as much adequate time like we did to prepare for phase II of the program.
Handover of role of Chair from IITA to ILRI
- BV – Thank you all for your cooperation throughout the year. The PCT remains a very crucial committee for Africa RISING. I am often wondering whether we have fully applied ourselves to push through some agenda points into the projects, but that also depends on how much carrots and sticks each of us has. It is also sometimes a bit frustrating, but that is the nature of the program we are involved in. Since I am formally handing over to Boni now, maybe this is something we can jointly seek ways of addressing. Wishing you success.
- SM- Thank you for your leadership throughout the previous year Bernard. We’ll probably hold our next meeting once the interim ICER report is out. As usual notice will be sent to this effect. Thank you everybody.
