8 8 S O U T H E R N A F R I C A N D E V E L O P M E N T C O M M U N I T Y entry point between SADC and Member States and will be relevant responsible for coordinating and mobilising national responsibility for programme delivery to the Secretariat consensus on issues of regional importance. They shall lies with the IA. Cooperating Partner/s. However, the also make critical inputs into regional policy and strategy The Secretariat can be an IA for certain programmes, formulation taking into consideration the peculiarities in particular those dealing with policy issues such as and interests of particular Member States. SNCs also have Protocol Implementation or policy development and the responsibility to ensure the harmonisation of national harmonisation. In general the IA will be a regional entity of with regional policies and the streamlining of RISDP high repute in a particular area e.g. an academic or re- activities into national development plans. search institute, NGO, or a national government depart- In order to ensure broad participation and ment depending upon the scope of the programme consultation in the spirit of paragraph 5.3.2, it is essential (reflecting the principles of subsidiarity and decentralised that relevant Stakeholders are involved in the management). The essential characteristics of an IA implementation of specific programmes in the RISDP, should be in-depth technical know how in that particular based on areas of their interest or speciality. For instance, area, demonstrated programme management capabilities, the private sector and NGOs can add tremendous value in and general acceptability by Member States, cooperating the development of some programmes, sourcing funding partners and other key stakeholders. Implementing and undertaking the implementation. The creation of Agents will be responsible for the following: Private Sector/Industry Associations should be promoted • Coordinating and administering programme funding; and their active participation encouraged to add the • Preparing draft programme implementation plans for much-required impetus to programme development and implementation, especially in activities that do not readily submission to the Secretariat; • lend themselves to grant or soft financing. Stakeholders can participate in various ways, either directly by Setting up programme /programme management arrangements; • Managing the tendering process for the provision of developing, funding and implementing some programme programme related services and procurement of areas, or making inputs through technical committees, or equipment; through SADC National Committees. In view of the fact that the role of the Secretariat is to • Providing administrative control of programmes; and • Monitor progress and report to the Steering facilitate and coordinate as opposed to implementation Committee and the Secretariat on a regular basis. proper, Implementing Agents (IA) will be appointed and Selection of the IA should be based on some criteria shall be responsible for the day-to-day operational developed by the Secretariat, which includes competence, management and supervision of a programme. This credibility, sustainability, familiarity and regional balance responsibility includes administrative and financial (equity in participation). The Secretariat should make control. It is important to underscore the fact that the IA recommendations to the Integrated Committee of Ministers will not necessarily directly perform (execute) the task on the selection of an IA, following a tendering process and produce the outputs. The likelihood is that the IA will based on approved SADC procedures. It may however be appoint one or more contractors for this purpose. The necessary to take into account specific tendering decision to appoint a contractor is the responsibility of requirements that programme financiers (cooperating the IA in close consultation with the Secretariat and partners) may have.