Transition

The period after the completion of GeSCI's work in a country is critical to ensuring the sustainability of GeSCI's intervention. GeSCI therefore does not "exit" a country or abandon it after its direct engagement; but rather GeSCI changes its mode-of-operation from direct full-time engagement to more targeted on-demand support. The country also continues to benefit fully from GeSCI's regional and global knowledge sharing activities and from GeSCI's knowledge products.
Transition strategy

Development is a long-term activity and that the resultant impact of GeSCI's work might not be felt for many years. Nevertheless, GeSCI does not envision itself working indefinitely with its partners; rather, GeSCI has deliberately designed its assistance with an emphasis on strategic advice as well as capacity and knowledge building as the strategy to ensure long-term sustainability. It is also for this reason that GeSCI's role is that of advisor and not implementing partner. Therefore, GeSCI expects to engage countries for a period of 3-5 years depending on the country's particular needs. To make transition easier for the countries and for GeSCI, GeSCI's overall engagement strategy entails a careful selection of countries, determination of needs and needs-based engagement.

To this end, GeSCI has developed a transition strategy which takes into consideration the following:

  • GeSCI makes it clear prior to engagement that its direct support will be time-bound
  • GeSCI signs formal MoUs with countries that spell out exactly what GeSCI's role and what the MoEs roles will be with clear deliverables for each party
  • GeSCI and the MoE undertake joint periodic reviews to determine progress made and/or changes necessary in overall engagement strategy. MoUs may be extended by mutual  agreement.
  • Upon expiry of the MoU, GeSCI transitions its support to another mode BUT does not simply abandon the country. This is something important to note.

During the transition and post-engagement phase, GeSCI continues to offer targeted support to the MoE through the regional programmes to ensure the sustainability of its activities. The country will also continue to benefit from all of GeSCI knowledge products and participate in other regional programme activities such as the knowledge forums.