Scoping Advice for the Dutch IWRM Support Programme Rwanda

- For effective implementation of IWRM measures, the support and active involvement of othersector departments, local governments, direct stakeholders and the general public is needed.The RWRD needs to coordinate this support, and as such can be considered as processmanager of IWRM in Rwanda. A further assessment of capacity needs to fulfil this role asprocess manager is required;- A strategy for communication and process management would be needed to guide actualimplementation of coordination tasks. Currently, such strategy, or staff skilled to develop one,are not existent at the water department.Transfer of skills & knowledgeThe above mentioned assessments identify needs at all levels. The RWRD employees feel a highurgency to start and deliver quickly. At the same time there is hesitation due to a lack of handsonexperience. A lot of experience is currently being gained by consultants through thedevelopment of the different elements of the IWRM system, such as the Master Plan and the MIS,yet this experience is not efficiently shared with staff at the RWRD. Also, as already observed, thefocus of the Master Plan process is on collection and processing of technical / hydrologicalinformation. Less attention is paid to the process of implementation and maintenance of amonitoring system, including the capacity needed.The work related to both Master Plan and RIWSP is implemented under the RWRD. It is unclear iftheir consistency is checked across sectors. The ministries of infrastructure, energy, andagriculture have, among others, great stakes in the water sector. These have all developed theirown strategic policies and plans and may include relevant capacities from which the effectiveimplementation of IWRM would benefit.The NCEA considers this a risk as it hampers effective learning and concludes that a moreeffective transfer of skills of knowledge, through sharing of and gaining hands-on experience,should be considered a priority. This may become an important role for the expected TechnicalAssistant whom the EKN will finance for the RWRD.5. The NCEA recommends to develop a capacity development component based on existinginitiatives, looking for quick wins, with special attention to capacity for process management atRWRD and to operational capacity at decentralised levels. Include a communication strategy,targeted at different audiences. Look at different modalities for transfer of skills and knowledge(e.g. twinning, help desk/pool of experts, coaching modalities, others) which allow quick learningby doing, making IWRM gradually operational in a sustainable manner.18