Capacity Assessment Manual for National Human Rights Institutions Appendix 8: Sample capacity assessment questionnaire This questionnaire is confidential and anonymous Please complete no later than [insert date] INSTRUCTIONS Capacity development is defined as ‘the process through which individuals, organizations and societies obtain, strengthen and maintain the capabilities to set and achieve their own development objectives over time’. Supporting this process requires identifying what key capacities already exist and what additional capacities may be needed to reach these objectives. This is the purpose of a capacity assessment. A capacity assessment provides a comprehensive perspective on the capacities critical to achieving development objectives. It is an analysis of required capacities against existing capacities and offers a systematic way of gathering data and information on capacity assets and needs. This questionnaire follows up on the discussion groups with NHRI leaders and staff members as part of the CA process. The issues in it have been identified from the information given to the CA team and the issues raised during the discussion groups. They are identified as the key capacity development issues for the NHRI. They have been analysed within the UNDP capacity development framework, with its five areas of institutional capacity: • law, policies, procedures and processes • leadership • human resources and knowledge • financial resources • accountability. WHAT THE QUESTIONNAIRE ASKS There are [insert number] core capacity issues covered in the questionnaire and there are four questions for each issue. Two of the questions ask you to provide a rating or marking. The same questions are asked in relation to each issue. 1. What score, between 0 and 5, reflects your assessment of the capacity the NHRI has now in the particular area of work (how well it is doing in those areas)? 2. What is the basis, with evidence, of the rating you have given? 3. What score, between 0 and 5, reflects your assessment of the capacity the NHRI is required to have in five years’ time (how much the NHRI should have improved in the next five years)? 4. What are your specific recommendations for changes and improvements to reach that higher level of capacity? The ratings that are applied are 0. no capacity 1. very low capacity 2. only basic or low level capacity 3. medium partially developed capacity (for example, irregular to basic implementation of plans) Appendices | 69