Session 7

Development of a Water Sector Integrity

Vulnerability Mitigation Plan

Maria Jacobson, UNDP Water Governance Facility, SIWI

Marie Laberge, UNDP Oslo Governance Centre

Design of a prioritized anti-corruption plan for the water sector: Experiences

from Uganda

Water Integrity Workshop

2 day workshop to validate the findings, develop an action plan and secure a commitment to action from the concerned institutions

100+ participants ranging from Minister of State, senior MWE leadership, representatives from anti-corruption and oversight agencies such as the Auditor General, local government officials, utility staff, local and international civil society; media, private sector, as well as international development partners

Water Integrity Workshop

Day1 • Presentation of findings by consultants, statements by

respondent groups to validate the findings publicly and agree to take action

• Presentation of anti-corruption tools to stimulate practical action

Day 2• Multi stakeholder group work based on six thematic

areas; select two recommendations per group, assign roles and responsibilities, timeframe

Implementation of the Action Plan

• Action Plan endorsed by WSS Sector Working Group, the highest government decision-making body in the sector at Annual Joint Sector Review, and in line with requirements, sub-sectors are now reporting progress on a quarterly basis

• Oversight Role of the MWE Multistakeholder Good Governance Working Group (Important role for CSOs membership)

Lessons LearntThe high level participation by senior Ugandan government officials ensured discussions were meaningful, proposed actions were endorsed and ownership for follow-up at all levels of the water services sector would take place

Important to involve stakeholders from day one due to sensitivity of corruption

The PACTIV framework for developing water integrity plans

Building block Why Type of action1. Political leadership

Mobilize support from political leaders & engage them as AC actors

Record & publicly display commitments of support made by politicians

2. Accountability Reform political & judicial institutions to reduce discretion & increase integrity

Strengthen independent auditing

3. Capacity Strengthen capacity of public institutions & civil society

Support independent data collection & diagnostic by civil society

The PACTIV framework for developing water integrity plans

Building block Why Type of action4. Transparency Encourage openness

and freedom of information to allow for disclosure of illicit behavior

Publicly display (in newspapers & in villages) of information on water contracts & accounts

5. Implementation Put existing reforms and AC tools into action

Imposing judicial & economic sanctions on culprits

6. Voice Strengthen channels for water users, public officials & private employees to voice discontent and report corruption

Introduce whistleblower programmes in utilities & public agencies

Sharing an example of a mitigation plan in the WSS sub-sector:

The Ugandan experience

Can we apply the PACTIV framework?

Planning ahead1. Planning Who should be consulted in developing the plan - the research

team only or a consultative workshop? Closed or public event? How to prioritize which recommendations to take forward (given

limited human & financial resources)? Who will be responsible for signing off on the plan? What are the risks related to the implementation of the plan &

how can they be addressed?

2. Implementation Who will be responsible for obtaining full political commitment

to support the implementation of the plan? Who will be responsible for securing funding for the

implementation of the plan?

Planning ahead3. Monitoring

How to monitor the implementation of the plan? Who should be involved?

Who should be responsible for reporting on the implementation of the plan?

When, how often & how will the reporting be done? How will institutions be held accountable on their

commitments? What steps will be taken to inform consumers and the general

public of the results of the plan?