Vision of the Parliamentary Programmes Coordination Unit (PCU)

A leading Programme Coordination Unit in Zimbabwe recognised by the Donor Community.

Mission of the PCU

To facilitate the mobilisation of resources and professionally manage financial and technical assistance and effectively coordinate the implementation of the Parliamentary Support Programme (PSP).

Function of PCU

 Mandate

The Parliamentary Programme Coordination Unit (PCU) coordinates the management of Parliament’s Project Portfolio funded by the Government of Zimbabwe and Development Partners. It facilitates the development of the Institutional Corporate Strategy that enables the sourcing of funds. The Directorate also coordinates the development of the Institutional Results Logic Model that encompasses the Theory of Change, Institutional Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework and feedback mechanisms to partners. It also manages Development partner funds and supports project related procurements. The PCU facilitates the coordination of CSO support, and is responsible for the overall M&E reporting for Development Partner projects.

The following are the key pillars for the PCU:

  • Programme and Partnership Coordination
  • Project Management
  • Project Financial Management
  • Monitoring and Evaluation
  • Programme Procurement

 Responsibilities of the PCU

The Key Pillars:

  1. PROGRAMME AND PARTNERSHIP COORDINATION
  • Coordinate the production of Programme agreements or Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) for Government and Donor funded projects.
  • Coordinate CSO Partnership in line with the Institutional Strategic Plan (ISP).
  • Coordinate the mobilization of resources for Parliament.
  1. PROJECT FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
  • Consolidate annual, termly and quarterly work plans and budgets for Government and donor funded activities.
  • Produce monthly financial statements.
  • Process requests for payments to Development Partners.
  • Disburse funding for the approved budgeted activities.
  • Produce quarterly and annual financial reports.

 

 

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

 

  • Develop Project proposals and concept notes
  • Manage Parliament’s Project Portfolio
  • Coordinate, monitor and evaluate projects implementation for Parliament
  • Programme Development Partner and Government Funded activities
  • Facilitate the development and review of Terms of References (TORs)
  1. MONITORING AND EVALUATION

 

  • Develop the institutional M&E framework for Parliament’s Development Partner and government funded projects in accordance with the ISP.
  • Develop the institutional and project M&E tools.
  • Facilitate the institutional capacity on the M&E function.
  • Facilitate data collection and continuous monitoring and evaluation on project implementation.
  • Track indicators and periodically update the indicators tracking tools.
  • Update the automated Government systems e.g. (Development Projects Management Information System (DEVPROMIS).
  • Review and updating of the Institutional and projects theory of change.
  • Produce quarterly, termly and annual progress reports.
  • Produce quarterly, termly and annual assets verification reports.
  1. PROGRAMME PROCUREMENT

 

  • Provide technical assistance to the Procurement Management Unit (PMU) in line with Development Partner Rules, Guidelines and Regulations.

Development Partner Internal Procedures duties:

  • Develop Procurement Plans
  • Develop Expression of Interest (EOI)
  • Develop Request for Proposals (RFP)
  • Publish Request for Expression of Interest (REOI)
  • Manage contracts for service providers as per development partner rules and regulations
  • Consolidate and prepare the quarterly and annual procurement reports
  • Provide technical assistance in shortlisting and evaluation meetings

 Goal of the PCU

The Parliamentary Programmes Directorate envisions a Parliament that is well-funded and able to efficiently manage its project portfolio. It seeks to be the lead in facilitating the development of institutional corporate strategies that enable the sourcing of funds for Parliamentary projects.

The directorate’s primary goal is to ensure that the Parliament of Zimbabwe is equipped with the necessary resources to fulfil its mandate of representing the people and providing oversight to the executive arm of government. To achieve this goal, the Unit is committed to coordinating the management of the Parliament’s project portfolio, which includes the efficient management of funds provided by the Government of Zimbabwe and Development Partners.

The directorate aims to achieve this by working closely with key stakeholders within and outside of the Parliament to develop a comprehensive Institutional Results Logic Model that encompasses the Theory of Change, Institutional M&E framework, and feedback mechanisms for partners. The directorate recognizes that the success of parliamentary projects is dependent on the effective monitoring and evaluation of project activities, and the timely dissemination of feedback to stakeholders.

Furthermore, the directorate is committed to managing Development Partner funds in a transparent and accountable manner, and ensuring that project-related procurements are carried out in a manner that is consistent with international best practices. It is also committed to building the capacity of Parliament staff in project management, monitoring and evaluation, and procurement processes.

In summary, the Parliamentary Programme Directorate envisions a Parliament that is well-funded, efficient, and able to deliver on its mandate. It seeks to achieve this by facilitating the development of institutional corporate strategies, coordinating the management of the Parliament’s project portfolio, and managing Development Partner funds in a transparent and accountable manner. The directorate is committed to building the capacity of Parliament staff and working closely with stakeholders to achieve its goals.

 

 Historical Background

 Background

Parliament of Zimbabwe embarked on a comprehensive reform programme, which was spearheaded by the Parliamentary Reform Committee (PRC) established in October 1996. Parliament with the assistance of the UNDP carried out an institutional capacity assessment exercise to establish if Parliament could realize the objectives recommended by the PRC including development of concrete proposals for Parliament to fulfil its mandate.

The Capacity Assessment Report (CAR) produced by the Capacity Assessment Team (CAR) emphasized in its report that for the reform to be achievable there was need for the following:

  • Commitment from political and administrative leadership
  • Ownership of the programme by the Liaison and Coordination Committee (LCC)
  • Ownership of the programme by Members of Parliament (MPs) in general
  • The Institution retain highly professional staff
  • Effective collaboration with development partners and other key stakeholders Efficient programme management

The Parliamentary Support Programme (PSP) which is coordinated by the Parliamentary Programmes, as per Capacity Assessment Team (CAT) seeks to enhance the quality of the national governance system in Zimbabwe by strengthening the capacity of the legislature to exercise the following roles:

  • Legislative Role
  • Representative Role
  • Executive Role
  • Accountability relationship of Legislators with constituent and Administration of Parliament (AoB)

The other identified tertiary objective is to capacitate the Administration of Parliament in order to enhance the quality of administrative services to MPs through capacity development of staff and institutional strengthening including attainment of ISO 9000 standards.

The Parliamentary Programmes therefore, ensures optimal resource use and effective coordination of the administration of the project portfolio for the Parliament. The directorate coordinates the development of the Institutional Results Logic Model, which includes the Theory of Change, Institutional M&E framework, and feedback mechanisms to partners, facilitate the development of the Institution’s Corporate Strategy, which enables the sourcing of funds, and manage Development Partner funds in a transparent and accountable manner.

Structure of the PCU

 Programme Coordination Unit (PCU) Structure

The structure is as follows:

  • Chief Director Parliamentary Programmes (CDPP)
  • Parliament Programme Accountant (PPA)
  • One (1) Monitoring & Evaluation Officer
  • 4 x Graduate Interns specialising in Accounting x1, Monitoring & Evaluation x2 and Procurement x1, respectively.

 

Parliament of Zimbabwe Partners

 

Major Partners supporting the Parliament of Zimbabwe

Parliament of Zimbabwe receives support from over eight (8) Development Partners. The institution also has twenty-two (22) operational Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) which are being coordinated by the PCU. Below are some of the Development Partners supporting Parliament of Zimbabwe:

  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
  • European Union (EU)
  • African Development Bank (AfDB)
  • World Bank
  • UNICEF
  • Zimbabwe Institute (ZI)
  • Silveira House
  • Government of Zimbabwe

 Major areas of support

Parliament receives support in the following areas:

  • Support to the Parliament of Zimbabwe Training Academy
  • Support towards strengthening the Administration of Parliament including the Quality Management System
  • Support for capacity building for MPs in the constitutional and legislative analysis and interpretation.
  • Support to Committees to carry out oversight role.
  • Support to conduct Parliament public outreach Programmes
  • Support to facilitate Budget analysis programme
  • Support towards Gender Mainstreaming
  • Support towards Gender budgeting
  • Support to conduct Regional Exchange visits for MP and Staff
  • Support to the Parliament Constituency Information Centre (PCIC).

 Projects being implemented during the 9th Parliament

  • The PPCU is currently implementing a total of 4 projects and 22 MOUs. The projects are:
  • Institutional Support for Governance and Public Finance Management (GPFM) project (2022-2024).
  • Parliamentary Support Programme (PSP) – (2019-2023).
  • Tax and Accountability Enhancement Project (TAEP) – (2020-2024).
  • Spotlight Initiative Project (SI) – (2019-2023).

 

Institutional Structure of the Parliamentary Support Programme (PSP)

The PSP structure is as follow:

  • Programme Steering Committee (PSC)
  • Project Board (PB)
  • Parliamentary Programme Coordination Unit (PPCU)

Programme Steering Committee

The Programme Steering Committee gives policy directions to the implementation of programme. The Committee is jointly chaired by the Speaker of the House of Assembly or President of the Senate and the UNDP Resident Representative. The Clerk of Parliament is the National Programme Director (NPD). The Committee is made up of the following:

  • Speaker of the National Assembly/ President of the Senate – Co-Chairperson
  • UNDP Resident Representative – Co- Chairperson
  • Clerk of Parliament – Secretary
  • UNDP Country Director – Committee Member
  • Deputy Speaker of the National assembly – Committee Member
  • Deputy President of the Senate – Committee Member

Basically the Committee broadly advises on the execution of the programme establishing priorities on the Annual Workplans. It establishes performance benchmarks, carries out annual performance reviews and approves programme progress reports to the Standing Rules and Orders Committee. It also fosters dialogue with development partners.

 Project Board (PB)

The PMB is chaired by the Clerk in his/her capacity as National Director of the PSP Programme. The PB consists of the following Administration of Parliament, EU Representatives, UNDP senior officers and Representatives of CSOs:

  • Clerk of Parliament – Chairperson
  • UNDP Country Director – Co- Chairperson
  • EU Representative – C0-Chairperson
  • 2x Deputy Clerks – Board Members
  • World Bank Representative – Board Member
  • Chief Director Parliamentary Programmes – Secretary

The Board is mandated to approve project work plans and budgets, monitor implementation and review programme outputs.