The overall objective of this assignment was to undertake a comprehensive review of existing institutional arrangements within SADC with a view of recommending changes in order to rationalize, streamline decision-making and enhance effectiveness and efficiency.
More specifically, this assignment was expected to examine structures within SADC including the Secretariat and the Organ and characterise, among other issues, their functions, roles and responsibilities vis-à-vis the overall SADC vision and mandate; their capacities, operational and management processes in relation to their functions, roles and responsibilities; the linkages (or lack of); and the gaps within and among with the view to recommending a more efficient and effective institutional arrangement that will drive the SADC regional integration agenda.
The Specific Objective of this assignment was to undertake a comprehensive review of existing institutional arrangements within SADC by examining the key structures with the view to recommending more effective institutional arrangements to drive the SADC regional integration agenda.
The results of this assignment contributed to the development of the implementation plan and roadmap of the Conclusions of the Strategic Ministerial Retreat. It is essential to note that running parallel to this study were other studies including that on effective mechanisms to ensure compliance to SADC Protocols and other legal instruments and regional commitments at Member State level. That study and this assignment were closely linked and therefore concerted effort at collaboration between the two was most important.