The successful implementation of multisectoral operational plans in Burkina-Faso depends largely on the involvement and commitment of the technical departments from the key contributing sectors. The objective of this evaluation study is to analyze the capacities of the technical structures at the central level, and Regional Directorates level in the 13 regions of the country in terms of data management and accountability to identify gaps and challenges to the multisectoral process. The new Framework for Nutrition Capacity developed by the United Nations Network for Scaling Up Nutrition was used and adapted. Data collection and analysis consisted of triangulation of information: (1) literature reviews, (2) data collection and analysis from the evaluation guide and questionnaire and (3) observations. Cumulatively more than 20 technical departments, including those at the central and regional levels, did not have appropriate equipment or other means to record and monitor data. Among the thirty technical structures at the central level, only six had a nutrition focal point, and 47.3% (35out of the 74) had one. The existence of diverse kinds of data collected by different departments at all levels was observed, and a strong demand of information and data was expressed particularly at the level of the 13 regions of Burkina Faso. The lack of a functional national system on nutrition monitoring and evaluation to ensure accountability on the multisectoral approach at country level was noted. The needs and gaps identified, at different levels, among the key structures of the ministries involved in the multisectoral process, have made it possible to formulate strategic responses to better support the operationalization of the national nutrition policy.
IntroductionAchieving nutritional goals depends on individual, organisational and environmental capacities. The aim of this study was to analyse and identify capacity gaps among the coordination platforms and networks, and the key technical institutions related to nutrition in Burkina Faso for a capacity development plan formulation.MethodsUsing the new Nutrition Capacity Framework developed by the United Nations Network, information were collected using the Nutrition Stakeholder Mapping and Analysis tool, and the Checklist for Capacity Areas. Capacity needs were analysed in terms of Human resource and infrastructure, functional, organisational, coordination and partnership, and financial and resource mobilisation.ResultsLimited human resource capacity in nutrition was highlighted in most cases by the structures, and the nutrition coordination structure and more than 4/5 of the technical structures are faced with the unavailability of working materials, tools and basic Internet connection. Only 10 among the 30 structures have a unit or service for exchange on nutrition, and only three of them have integrated nutrition actions. Shortfalls were noted in terms of functional, facilitation, communication and advocacy skills, as well as a weak diversification of resource mobilisation strategies.ConclusionThe use of the analytical framework helped to identify the gaps and to propose paths for capacity development. Efforts need to be strengthened, intensified, coordinated, monitored, evaluated and funded.
The Government of Burkina Faso committed to the multi-sector approach on nutrition in 2014 and has conducted the development of a Multi-Sector Nutrition Plan 2020–2024. This study aims to understand and analyse the Nutrition organizational capacities at the municipal level to support the scaling up of interventions within the National Multi-Sector Nutrition Plan. A qualitative study was conducted at the end of 2017, based on the framework for nutrition capacity developed by the United Nations Network Secretariat in collaboration with five funding agencies, to assess the organizational capacity dimension. Data collection consisted of focus groups and information collection through workshops with key informants. In total, 22 rural municipalities were targeted and 152 key informants were involved, including mayors, municipal councillors, members of the village development committee, and local technical agents in charge of agriculture, livestock and health. The gaps identified were poor integration of nutrition into local development strategic plans, less evolved coordination on nutrition, weak development of nutrition community approaches and dependence on the state budget matched to a non-existent budget monitoring system. The findings showed an unequal distribution and limited number of technical agents to cover villages within a given municipality, inadequate skills to support services expansions such as water and sanitation, health, agriculture and livestock. In addition, no reference was made to monitoring and evaluation, accountability or sharing information. The main capacity needs on nutrition are the transfer of technical competencies from the regional to the municipal level, the strengthening of technical skills on nutrition, and the setting up of an integrated data collection system involving key players. The identification of needs and opportunities and the newly finalized guide on nutrition integration into local development plans and strategies are useful to drive change for multisectoral implementation.
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