Capacity Assessment Manual for National Human Rights Institutions Chapter 2: The capacity assessment approach for national human rights institutions Capacity assessment of NHRIs is a joint initiative of APF, OHCHR, and UNDP, and this enhances ownership and credibility. If it was only by one of these organizations, the initiative may not have received such recognition. The assessment process was facilitated by experienced experts who are themselves subject experts rather than generic capacity building consultants. This also adds credibility. In addition, the CA is a self-assessment and, as such, the CA prepared the organization for change. This was an important factor for UNDP in terms of enhancing national ownership. BARKHAS LOSOLSUREN UNDP CO Mongolia 2.1. THIS MANUAL This Capacity Assessment Manual for National Human Rights Institutions has been developed to describe a process of self-assessment assisted by external expert facilitators and to provide a stepby-step approach to identifying specific organisational challenges. The assessment methodology incorporates both qualitative and quantitative elements in assessing the current situation of the NHRI, identifying weaknesses, forecasting future capacity requirements and developing strategies to close the capacity gaps. It is a process that seeks the participation of all the NHRI’s leaders, that is, its Commissioners or members or Ombudsman as the case may be, its senior managers and all other staff to ensure a comprehensive picture, from all perspectives, of the NHRI’s current capacities, its future required capacities and the strategies and actions proposed to meet the gap. The CAP, the partnership between APF, OHCHR and UNDP, sought to develop a systematic approach to supporting NHRIs to fulfil their mandate as effectively and efficiently as possible, fully utilising the financial and human resources available to them. The CA methodology for NHRIs has been developed from the UNDP CD framework. It identifies and analyses key challenges preventing NHRIs from achieving their goals and, based on the analysis, develops strategies for organisational improvement. 2.2. WHAT A CAPACITY ASSESSMENT IS NOT CA is a different kind of approach to working with NHRIs. At the outset it is important to recognise what a CA is not. It is not an evaluation – evaluation looks to the past. It is not a needs assessment – needs assessment looks merely to the present. CA looks to the future: what skills and processes, or capacities, must the NHRI build if it is to be as effective as possible in the future? Uniquely, the CA process is not an external exercise, undertaken by outsiders with no detailed, inside knowledge of the NHRI. It is a self-assessment, undertaken by the NHRI itself – the leaders, senior managers and all the staff – with the assistance and support of a team of CA facilitators. Because it is an internal self-assessment, the NHRI has full ownership over the process and the product. 9