In the complex and multi-faceted landscape of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), establishing effective Institutional Structures for PPPs is a foundational prerequisite for successful program implementation, ensuring clear mandates, streamlined decision-making processes, robust oversight, and efficient coordination among diverse government entities and private sector partners. Without well-defined institutional roles, responsibilities, and inter-agency coordination mechanisms, PPP initiatives can suffer from fragmentation, delays, conflicting objectives, and a lack of accountability, ultimately undermining project viability and public confidence. This comprehensive training course is meticulously designed to equip public sector officials, PPP unit professionals, and decision-makers with the advanced knowledge and practical strategies required to understand, design, and optimize the institutional frameworks necessary to support a thriving PPP program, from central coordinating units and sectoral agencies to regulatory bodies and dispute resolution platforms. Without robust expertise in Institutional Structures for PPPs, governments risk inefficient resource allocation, prolonged procurement processes, and a failure to effectively manage the long-term complexities inherent in private sector partnerships, underscoring the vital need for specialized expertise in this critical domain.

Duration: 10 Days

Target Audience

• Public Sector Officials from Ministries of Finance, Planning, Infrastructure, and Sectoral Ministries
• PPP Unit Professionals and Staff
• Senior Civil Servants and Policy Makers involved in infrastructure development
• Legal Advisors and Procurement Specialists in Government
• Representatives from Regulatory Bodies and Oversight Institutions
• Local Government Officials considering PPPs
• Members of Parliamentary Committees overseeing public finance and infrastructure
• Consultants advising public sector clients on institutional reforms
• Anyone responsible for designing, reforming, or operating institutional frameworks for PPPs.

Objectives

• Understand the fundamental principles guiding the design of effective institutional structures for PPPs.
• Learn about the various models of PPP institutional frameworks and their implications.
• Acquire skills in assessing the strengths and weaknesses of existing institutional arrangements.
• Comprehend techniques for defining clear roles, responsibilities, and mandates for all PPP stakeholders.
• Explore strategies for establishing and empowering central PPP Units/Agencies.
• Understand the importance of fostering effective inter-agency coordination and collaboration.
• Gain insights into designing robust approval and oversight processes for PPP projects.
• Develop a practical understanding of managing fiscal risks within the institutional framework.
• Master the role of independent regulatory bodies in ensuring fair and transparent operations.
• Acquire skills in ensuring accountability and transparency across the institutional landscape.
• Learn to apply international best practices and lessons learned from successful institutional reforms.
• Comprehend techniques for building and retaining institutional capacity for PPP management.
• Explore strategies for adapting institutional structures to evolving PPP markets and complexities.
• Understand the importance of stakeholder engagement in institutional design and reform.
• Develop the ability to lead and implement robust Institutional Structures for PPPs.

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Institutional Structures for PPPs

• The critical role of institutional frameworks in PPP success.
• Consequences of weak institutional structures: delays, inefficiencies, project failures.
• Defining "institutional structure": mandates, roles, responsibilities, coordination mechanisms.
• Overview of common institutional challenges in PPP implementation.
• The need for a coherent and predictable institutional environment.

Module 2: Core Functions of a PPP Institutional Framework

• Policy and strategy formulation.
• Project identification and prioritization.
• Appraisal and feasibility analysis.
• Procurement and negotiation.
• Contract management and monitoring.
• Fiscal risk management and reporting.
• Dispute resolution.
• Capacity building and knowledge management.

Module 3: Models of PPP Institutional Frameworks

• Centralized PPP Units (e.g., Ministry of Finance, Planning).
• Decentralized models (sectoral agencies, local governments).
• Hybrid models and their advantages/disadvantages.
• PPP committees and inter-ministerial working groups.
• Evolution of institutional structures over time.

Module 4: Establishing and Empowering a Central PPP Unit

• Mandate and legal basis of the PPP Unit.
• Functions and scope of authority (advisory, regulatory, transactional).
• Organizational structure and staffing requirements.
• Reporting lines and relationship with other government entities.
• Ensuring political support and adequate resources for the PPP Unit.

Module 5: Roles and Responsibilities of Key Government Stakeholders

• Role of the Ministry of Finance (fiscal oversight, approvals).
• Role of the Ministry of Justice/Attorney General (legal review, contract drafting).
• Role of Sectoral Ministries/Implementing Agencies (project identification, management).
• Role of Planning/Development Ministries (strategic alignment).
• Role of Audit Institutions (oversight, value for money audits).

Module 6: Inter-Agency Coordination and Decision-Making Processes

• Mechanisms for effective coordination: committees, working groups, joint task forces.
• Streamlining approval processes and reducing bureaucratic hurdles.
• Clear delegation of authority and accountability.
• Managing conflicting objectives and priorities among agencies.
• Digital platforms for information sharing and collaboration.

Module 7: Regulatory Bodies and Their Role in PPPs

• Importance of independent sector regulators (e.g., for utilities, transport).
• Mandate and powers of regulators: tariff setting, service quality, licensing.
• Relationship between regulators and PPP contracts.
• Ensuring regulatory predictability and stability for investors.
• Addressing regulatory risk in PPP agreements.

Module 8: Fiscal Risk Management within the Institutional Framework

• Role of the Ministry of Finance in assessing and managing contingent liabilities.
• Centralized reporting and monitoring of fiscal exposures.
• Approval thresholds and limits for PPP commitments.
• Integrating PPP fiscal risks into national budget processes.
• Developing a comprehensive fiscal risk management strategy.

Module 9: Accountability, Transparency, and Good Governance

• Institutional mechanisms for ensuring transparency in PPP processes and contracts.
• Disclosure requirements and public access to information.
• Anti-corruption frameworks and integrity measures.
• Role of civil society organizations and media in oversight.
• Promoting ethical conduct and preventing conflicts of interest.

Module 10: Capacity Building and Knowledge Management

• Institutional strategies for developing and retaining PPP expertise.
• Establishing training programs and professional development pathways.
• Creating knowledge management systems and databases for lessons learned.
• Fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation.
• Leveraging international expertise and technical assistance.

Module 11: Institutional Structures for Local Government PPPs

• Challenges and opportunities for PPPs at the sub-national level.
• Adapting national PPP frameworks to local government contexts.
• Capacity building for municipal officials.
• Financial autonomy and creditworthiness for local PPPs.
• Case studies of successful local government PPPs.

Module 12: Institutional Structures for Unsolicited Proposals

• Developing clear policies and procedures for handling unsolicited proposals.
• Ensuring transparency and fairness in evaluation.
• Managing the competitive challenge process.
• Protecting public interest and value for money.
• Avoiding rent-seeking and corruption risks.

Module 13: Adapting Institutional Structures to Evolving PPP Markets

• Institutional implications of new PPP models (e.g., programmatic PPPs, digital PPPs).
• Adapting to climate-resilient infrastructure and green PPPs.
• Institutional readiness for innovative financing mechanisms.
• The need for flexible and agile institutional responses.
• Future trends in PPP institutional design.

Module 14: International Best Practices and Lessons Learned

• Review of institutional frameworks from leading PPP markets globally.
• Analysis of success factors and common pitfalls in institutional reforms.
• Recommendations from international organizations (e.g., World Bank, UNCITRAL, OECD).
• Comparative case studies of institutional development.
• Identifying transferable lessons for different country contexts.

Module 15: Practical Workshop: Designing an Institutional Framework

• In-depth analysis of a hypothetical country's PPP institutional challenges.
• Group exercise: Designing an optimal institutional structure for a new PPP program.
• Developing a clear organogram, roles, and responsibilities matrix.
• Discussion of strategies for implementing institutional reforms and overcoming resistance.
• Role-playing exercises for inter-agency coordination meetings.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.