Capacity Assessment Manual for National Human Rights Institutions On the contrary, the number to be interviewed should be strictly limited, usually no more than eight interviews of about an hour each. The program of external interviews can include both individual interviews and focus group discussions. Focus group discussions may be better than individual interviews for certain categories of external stakeholders, for example, NGOs or government ministries. The Liaison Officer and the preparatory team need to discuss the logistics for the assessment visit, as all staff will be given the opportunity to participate. This may require the CA team to travel to regional centres and some staff to travel to meet the team. The preparatory team and the Liaison Officer develop a draft program for the assessment visit. The assessment visit is always tightly scheduled and so the Liaison Officer will need to make arrangements for the program well in advance of the visit. A model program is attached (Appendix 5). One of the most important issues to be addressed as part of the preparations is whether interpretation and translation will be required during all or part of the CA team’s assessment visit. The working language of the CA team will be English. Some or all of the NHRI’s leaders and staff may be fluent in English or at least be able to communicate adequately in English but others may not be able to do so. The preparatory team and the Liaison Officer should discuss whether interpretation of focus group discussions will be necessary and, if so, in how many of the groups, and whether it will be necessary to have the questionnaire translated into the local language and the responses into English. In some countries interpretation and translation into more than one language may be necessary. If interpretation and translation are necessary, the CA team and the Liaison Officer discuss how they will be arranged, including the identification and engagement of interpreters and translators and budgetary implications. The NHRI is generally expected to meet the costs of interpretation and translation, if required. 3.2.4. The UN Country Team During the preparatory visit the preparatory team also makes contact, where relevant and appropriate, with the local UN Country Team (UNCT), generally UNDP and any local office of OHCHR, usually through the UNDP Resident Representative. The team should meet with relevant officials in the UNCT and brief them about the CA project, the schedule for the assessment visit and any assistance the CA team might require from the UNCT. Sometimes the UNCT will take a keen interest in the CA and seek to be involved at a number of key points, including in some meetings with the NHRI’s leaders. The CA team should encourage this interest as the UNCT can play important parts in assisting the NHRI in the implementation of the CA report. However, the team will need to make sensitive judgments about the appropriateness of UNCT officials participating in meetings. 3.3. BETWEEN THE PREPARATORY VISIT AND THE ASSESSMENT VISIT 3.3.1. Finalising the Memorandum of Understanding The MOU between the NHRI and the APF, setting out the responsibilities of the NHRI, the organisations assisting the CA and the CA team, should be concluded as soon as possible after the preparatory visit. It may also set out the dates on which the CA will be undertaken. Usually the MOU will be agreed and signed by the head of the NHRI on behalf of the NHRI during the preparatory visit. The preparatory team then presents the agreed document to the APF director for signature. If necessary, however, the NHRI’s head will sign the MOU as soon as possible after the preparatory visit and forward it to the APF director for signature. Chapter 3: The recommended steps in conducting a capacity assessment for a national human rights institution | 23