Lesson Learned
Posted on September 30, 2019 by Karina de Souza
Authoring Organizations: | Pacific Institute |
---|---|
Consulting Organizations: |
2030 Water Resources Group
Anheuser-Busch InBev Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) PVH Corp |
Universal: | No |
Applicable Phases: | Act |
Last Updated | Oct 3, 2024 |
A dedicated person in charge of planning and executing the project is a benefit when communicating between partners, as one person (and team) stays responsible for the work at all stages.
Partners may struggle to coordinate basic project management, even with one partner acting as secretariat. However, a local and independently sourced project manager can quickly react to challenges and changes within a project, and arbitrate between partners if necessary. Appointing a local project manager can also help avoid duplication of efforts in the case of poor project governance oversight or communication.
In the Chambeshi Water Security Partnership (CWSP) in Zambia, three major conveners – the Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA), OLAM, and GIZ – invested much effort, time, and money to initiate the partnership. Establishing the partnership involved support and many visits from GIZ’s IWaSP team based in Lusaka. With resources spread so thinly, in the absence of a local project manager, trips to Chambeshi catchment could only occur once a month. Now, the Chambeshi partnership has been strengthened by the experiences of stakeholders from the Itawa Springs Protection Partnership in Ndola, Zambia. The Chambeshi partnership has worked hard to make the partnership inclusive. However, each sector wants to work at a different speed – coordinating different sectors requires strategic and bilateral support, which takes time. A local dedicated project manager was the best way to build support and capacity, providing oversight of the partnership and its objectives.
Chambeshi Water Security Partnership (CWSP) (Project)
www.iwasp.org/where-we-work/where-we-work/zambia
Based in north-east Zambia, the Chambeshi Water Security Partnership (CWSP) was created in 2017 to ensure continued sound water management in the region while agricultural activities are intensifying. The partnership aims to ensure that water resources are governed, protected, and … Learn More
Lusaka Water Security Initiative (Project)
To strengthen multi-stakeholder collaboration to safeguard Lusaka's water resources while enhancing the sustainable and timely access to water and sanitation for all." Cooperation is crucial if the complex issue of water security is to be addressed sustainably. Water security is … Learn More
This lesson learned reflects the beliefs and experiences of the author, not necessarily the Pacific Institute, CEO Water Mandate, or UN Global Compact.