The way forward on policy dialogue and institutional strengthening

Using the NPER for Greater Impact

Recommendations should directly follow the analysis (and not suddenly introduce a set of unrelated or unsubstantiated recommendations at the end of the nutrition public expenditure review [NPER] report). An NPER, regardless of its scope, should offer useful inputs into current and future decisions related to planning and budgetary management, with the objective to improve the quality and impact of public spending on nutrition. Recommendations derived from the results of an NPER analysis should (1) reflect country conditions and be consistent with national nutrition goals and objectives, (2) build upon ongoing initiatives, (3) identify cost implications or any clear trade-offs based on an evidence-based analysis, (4) separate short- and long-term recommendations, (5) separate recommendations by institution or audience, and (6) ensure appropriate time-sequencing. Recommendations should be presented in a format that most likely encourages uptake and implementation of the recommendations.

THE WAY FORWARD ON POLICY DIALOGUE AND INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING

The fundamental benefit of an NPER is to provide an opportunity to extend the policy dialogue on nutrition to improve the implementation performance and impact of nutrition expenditures. The completion of a sound NPER is only the beginning of this process. If the NPER process ends at the final meeting or consultation workshop, the result is an informative report (obtained at a relatively high cost) of underused operational value. Thus, the NPER team must consider how the NPER will be disseminated and support the transition into tangible policy actions based on NPER recommendations.

Although NPERs build on the work of PERs, they are new tools that have only a limited portfolio of work to date. Therefore, this guiding framework should be considered a starting point to outlining an approach to carry out NPERs. It will undoubtedly undergo revision as NPER standard methodology is concretized and more NPER examples become available.