EEPP   Program Support Unit 

Functions and Team Building for the PFTC Department, EEAA 

The Minister's Visit 

Eng. Dahlia Lotayef briefed the Minister on the history of planning at EEAA.  Until recently, 

the planning function was done in order for the EEAA to meet donor requirements.  Planning 

was not done for Agency programs and projects.  A more detailed planning system is a 

priority need for the Agency.  The system would help guide the design of work of the 

departments as well as the work of the Agency with other ministries, institutions and 

stakeholders concerned with the environment. 

At present the PFTC has a logical group of functions that operate effectively in response to 

international opportunities.  The International Relations unit helps forge foreign conventions.  

These agreements often give rise to programs and projects.  PFTC Technical Cooperation 

staff help formulate the ideas into projects and secure donor funding.  Next, PFTC Technical 

Support staff troubleshoot and monitor the implementation of the donor projects that are 

authorized.  See Attachment 9., Role of EEAA/PFTC Units in International Cooperation.  

With the increase in PFTC staff this year, monitoring, feedback and evaluation will receive 

greater attention.  PFTC plans issuing annual reports on the quality of donor programs for use 

in future international negotiations. 

The pattern of work shown in Attachment 9 has allowed the Agency to anticipate and to 

prepare for donor negotiations.  But greater readiness is needed through greater use of 

existing information (NEAP, GEAPs) and continued strategic thinking and planning.  A 

similar level of intelligence and preparedness needs to exist within the EEAA in order to 

develop its own investment plans and detailed department annual work plans that operate 

independently of donor agreements. 

Attachment 10.,  Readiness for International Support to Environmental Programs, illustrates 

the gap that exists between need Agency efforts to prepare broad programs (NEAP, GEAPs, 

5 Year Plan) and its efforts to prepare donor programs (agreements, projects).  Better 

understanding and use of the long term plans could stimulate more initiative and guidance 

during Agency exchanges with international institutions. 

Eng. Dahlia Loteyef explained that the environmental disaster management contingency 

planning function and department had been separated out of the Agency program planning 

functions.  Its orientation had been toward confronting and combating disasters and 

emergencies.  Disaster Management had taken on an operational logic more than one of 

planning for prevention. 

During the open discussion with the Minister, PFTC members expressed concern that the 

formal attachment of executive support to the department, while providing prestige, might 

disturb on going technical work.  The Minister suggested that one executive secretary should 

be added to the PFTC.  Additional material and organizational constraints to departmental 

performance were highlighted to the Minister when Yasmine Fouad reviewed a flipchart 

showing a SWOTs analysis for the department. 

The Minister recommended that the department continue with staff training and workshops.  

He mentioned that the training must be judged by what new performance takes place back at 

the office. 

 5 

INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES GROUP