Institutional strengthening: In order to improve internal controls, systems and processes, PCP senior management and staff conducted the Center's 'Internal Evaluation' during the last quarter of 2007. This self assessment helped PCP prepare itself for the third party independent 'External Evaluation'.
The External Evaluation will be conducted by the London based International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF) with the assistance of a local consultant during the first quarter of 2008. Both these evaluations will contribute to overall institutional development of the Centre.
The World Bank under an IDF grant has provided funding for institutional development of PCP (particularly for Certification and the Philanthropy Portal) for a period of two years commencing January 2008. With this support, capacity building and professional development of the staff will be the main focus. PCP staff strength of 29 includes 22 programme staff. Professional development and capacity building of staff has been an area of concern and will receive priority attention in 2008.
FINANCING STRATEGY:
The challenge of finding funding for its core and programme cot continued during 2007. PCP's Core expenditure for 2007 was US $207,000 and program expenditure was US $433,000. Of the Core expenditure, 38% is funded by AKF(P), 48% by USAID and the remaining 14% by Pakistani contributors. Support for programme activities came from the following sources: USAID 45%; Government of Pakistan 14%; AKF(P) 24%, Pakistani contributors 8% and fees earned through Certification 9%.
The Board has approved a budget of $800,000 for 2008, of which US $220,000 is for Core expenditure and US $580,000 for programme activities. Of the Core expenditure, 33% will be funded by AKF(P), 20% by USAID, 28% by UNDP and the remaining 19% by Pakistani contributors. Support for programme activities will come from the following sources: USAID 12%; Government of Pakistan 22%, AKF(P) 17%; World Bank 22%, UNDP 10%; Punjab Government 9%; fees earned through Certification 5% and 3% is from philanthropy support services.
ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
The Internal and External Evaluations will further help the Centre in determining its future directions and realignment of its programmes. The exercise will also help in addressing the identified issues and making use of opportunities. The challenge of hiring and retaining high quality staff persisted during the reporting period. The problem has been more acute with regard to dearth of good research professionals in the development market, which are required by the Centre in view of its expanding research agenda. Financial sustainability also remains a challenge.
During 2007, the Centre's Board and Board Committees have been actively involved in its governance by providing policy guidance and oversight. In addition to the four Board meetings various sub committees met frequently.
The focus has been to ensure that programmatic activities are fully aligned with the original mission and mandate of the Centre ie "to enhance the volume and effectiveness of philanthropy for social development in Pakistan". The new members who joined PCP Board in August 2007 include. Hussain Dawood, Khawaja Iqbal Hasan, Dr Suleman Shaikh and Ms Roshan Barucha.
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