Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WSSA)

Institutional Development Support: PAS examined the role, responsibilities, and organization of WSSA in relation to the development and administration of water supply and sewerage services.  The consultants studied WSSA manpower development and prepared manuals for organization, staffing, materials management, and personnel management.  In the area of financial administration, PAS conducted a tariff study and prepared manuals for financial management and accounting.  Manuals were also prepared in the areas of organizational structure, equipment and supply management, procurement management, project study and design, contract construction, and force-account construction, operation, and maintenance.

Organization and Management Study:  Included was an analysis of the accounting and personnel management systems.  Manpower and tariff studies were conducted.  Manuals were prepared in the areas of construction, procurement, operation and maintenance, and equipment and supply management.

Water Supply and Rehabilitation Project

Completed 5/98

The Ethiopian Government, with the help of World Bank, started a nationwide rehabilitation and improvement program for water and sanitation facilities and services, with the assistance of PAS.  The significant aims of this capacity building effort were to improve the organizational, financial, and technical management for water supply and sanitation operations in Regional Governments; ensure cost recovery; and monitor sector performance, including the socioeconomic impact on the population.  PAS conducted several studies, focusing on the Amhara and Tigray Regions.

The studies for the Regional Governments consisted of:  (a) an organizational management study to assess and improve the organizational structure, the staffing and incentive system, and the management information system; (b) a financial management study to facilitate investment planning and financial management in the regions, including improvement of revenue collection and billing procedures and development of a sound accounting system and (c) an Urban Water Technical Management Study to improve the technical capability, design standards and operation and maintenance (O&M) practices of zonal offices and water supply units of the regions. 

These studies were carried out at the management level of water resource departments, zonal offices, and water supply units.  In addition, two studies were carried out in eight project towns within the two regions:  a Baseline Study to establish a basis for performance evaluation of the water supply operations and their socioeconomic impact; and an Asset Valuation and Tariff Study to ensure the cost recovery of the water supply utility operations.  Procedural manuals for accounting, budgeting, procurement, equipment safety and maintenance were produced.  On the job-training and overseas training were also organized.

Fiscal Transfer/Grant Allocations

Completed 3/15/99
Senior Staff involved: Theodore Sitkoff

PAS conducted a study of fiscal transfer/grant allocation to regions of Ethiopia. The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is divided into nine National Regional States and two Administrations. The government is committed to the decentralization of decision making to the regional levels and has attempted since 1994 to move to a simpler formula for allocations. Formulas for allocations at the time were based on population, levels of development, and revenues raised by regional governments. In conducting the study of fiscal transfer/grant allocation in Ethiopia, PAS pursued the following activities:

1. Reviewed and evaluated current arrangements and recent experience of fiscal transfer/grant allocation, expenditure responsibilities, and revenue assignments in Ethiopia. Determined requirements for fiscal transfer/grant allocation based on availability of data.

2. Developed methodological options for fiscal transfer/grant allocation based on government policies, evaluation of existing arrangements, and overseas experience of other countries in developing fiscal transfer/grant allocation methodology. Simulated outcomes of formula methodology and assessed implications. Assisted in defining criteria and procedures for allocation to regional governments.

3. Transferred knowledge of fiscal transfer/grant allocation to staff of RPDD/MEDaC during entire process. Finalized recommendations for fiscal transfer/grant allocation and confirmed with the management of MEDaC.

Water Works Construction Authority (EWWCA)

Productivity Analysis: As part of this project, PAS provided a coordinated, self-perpetuating system for planning and construction management.  The study provided the Authority with specific recommendations, establishing a framework upon which to develop and maintain policies commensurate with national objectives.  PAS analyzed organizational arrangements and management systems, and formulated recommendations for improved systems and operations leading to improvement of effectiveness and increased productivity.  A new organizational structure was developed, designed to meet EWWCA goals and objectives.  Comprehensive purchasing and stores systems and procedures, including manuals, were prepared, as were comprehensive equipment management systems, with manuals.  Accounting systems, procedures, and operating manuals were revised.  A comprehensive personnel management system was formulated and work performance and staffing standards were developed.

Organization and Management Study:  The project comprised a two-phase organization and management consultancy to improve municipal government services in order to better provide for the citizens.  The specialists collaborated on the organization and management study and produced a study report which provided recommendations on organization structure and staffing requirements, administrative and management practices, tax administration and revenue collection practices, manpower allocation and work scheduling and supervision, position classification and pay plans, fleet maintenance and management, program and work task emphasis, and materials management enhancement.