Capacity Assessment Manual for National Human Rights Institutions Chapter 5: Conclusion – the benefits of capacity assessments to national human rights institutions SUHAKAM’s CA has been a reference for us in drawing SUHAKAM’s annual workplan and other actions too. Even at the last Commission Meeting (the first for the new set of Commissioners) the CA was referred to as the Secretary tabled a SOP for the smooth running of the Commission. Personally, being responsible for the complaints group, my team and I have been reviewing complaints handling procedures to be more effective. I have also conducted two training sessions for investigation officers in Kuala Lumpur, Sabah and Sarawak to enhance their role in investigation work. SIMON KARUNAGARAM Deputy Secretary, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) Team member for the Indian National Human Rights Commission CA, 2019 5.1. THE BENEFITS OF CAPACITY ASSESSMENTS NHRIs that have undertaken CAs have said that they benefit greatly from the process. They have ranked their participation in the CA process: relevance very high effectiveness high efficiency high impact very high. They have listed the benefits of participation in a CA: • better understanding of current organisational and programming capacities • rigorous assessment of capacity needs • sound strategies and clear priorities for capacity building • more effective and evidence-based strategic planning • better understanding of the link between internal processes and externally oriented activities • better identification of the similarities and differences in perceptions of capacities and functioning across different units and levels of the NHRI • a focus on leadership and management, precipitating a review of decision making processes and on internal relationships • a new focus on training programmes • the development or review of standard operating procedures, manuals and guidelines • changes in human resources policies, including revisiting and clarifying roles and responsibilities • a strong analytical report that can assist in securing the support needed to implement the strategies 51