The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) is
continuing its quest to build capacity within the department and position
itself to continue making meaningful contributions to sustainable development
practices throughout the Territory and the wider Caribbean region.
Two staff members recently completed the Masters Certificate in
Results-Based Monitoring & Evaluation and Information Systems from the
Institute for Development in Economics and Administration (IDEA) through the
Canadian based Laval University.
DDM’s Director, Ms. Sharleen DaBreo and Planning and
Preparedness Manager, Ms. Sheniah Armstrong received their certificates during
the final in-class session in Barbados last week.
The course consisted of
three components and upon successful completion of all three and a passing
grade on the final examinations, participants were awarded the Masters
Certificate.
The first level of
certification focussed on Implementation Monitoring of Public Programmes and
Projects, through which participants were provided with a structured approach
for implementation monitoring of public programmes and projects in the context
of Results-Based Management (RBM) in the public sector.
The second course dealt
with the Evaluation of Development Policies, Programmes and Projects and was
designed to provide a structured approach for planning, managing and analysing
data for the evaluation of public policies, programmes and projects in the
context of RBM in the public sector, as well as enable participants to conduct,
manage and analyse evaluations.
The final course,
Information Systems for Monitoring and Evaluation sought to develop the
knowledge and competencies of participants in the design and implementation of
integrated information systems for RBM and allowed them to manage and use
different solutions in support of the diagnostic and management processes as
well as manage large dimensional data warehouse and decision support systems.
The DDM candidates’
participation was funded by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency
(CDEMA) through the Comprehensive Disaster Management Harmonization
Implementation Programme (CDMHIP).
The DDM has been using RBM
applications since 2008 when it was first introduced by CDEMA to its participating
states. “RBM has allowed for a clearer articulation
of outcomes and outputs, selection of measurable indicators, setting of
well-defined targets, better monitoring of performance and analysis of and
reporting on targets. We have seen the
benefits of this type of application in our work and it was therefore a natural
progression for us to move towards receiving formal, professional level
certification in this area,” Ms. DaBreo noted in explaining the courses’
relevance.
The DDM Director added that
significant emphasis is placed on staff development to achieve continuous
improvements in department performance. “Achieving good results and continuously
improving staffing capacity is central to any effective management process. We
are competing for limited funding locally, donor support is diminishing and territories
like the BVI face considerable pressure to adjust public sector systems to
become more effective and results oriented. The public that we serve and the donors
we depend on are demanding greater accountability and involvement of partners
and stakeholders; we must therefore continue demonstrating effective management
of comprehensive disaster management in the BVI.”
Capacity building is
particularly important for the DDM and for the Government of the BVI. The DDM is
increasingly pursuing a comprehensive approach to disaster management whereby
it collaborates with stakeholders to promote greater buy-in of initiatives to
build disaster resilience in the BVI and has realised the importance of being
able to demonstrate results if it is to maintain the high level of credibility
and respect from the local population and its regional and international
partners.
