Policy Formulation and Governance Practice

Stimulating economic growth and strengthening competitiveness are major objectives of governments throughout the world. Globally, in many undeveloped economics, governments are grappling with poverty reduction and the crucial need to raise basic living standards. In SADC, member states are working on setting an objective of becoming the most competitive and dynamic knowledge driven economy block in the continent. Achieving this goal whilst delivering growth and full employment will require the SADC FTA member states to dramatically improve their relative performance.

Our expertise goes to the heart of these concerns. We assist governments, at all levels, and the private sector, across the board, in developing and implementing policies at both macro and sectoral levels. We seek to encompass the whole picture from economic, environmental and socio-political perspectives. Our work covers all or any of the stages of the policy cycle from problem identification to implementation and programme/project management. Examples are the effects of liberalization of markets whether these effects be economic, social or environmental: alternatively, the role of government aid in development or the effects of measures intended to create dynamic and competitive business environments. Our areas of work include the following:

1. (Macro)economic policy and instruments
2. Public finance, expenditure planning and management
3. Competitiveness, entrepreneurship and SME development
4. Trade and investment development
5. Export promotion and tariff policy
6. Private sector development
7. Industrial policy

Innovation science and technology policy

Innovation, science and technology (IST) development is essential for governments and businesses to maintain a competitive edge, particularly with the ongoing globalization. But the effects of IST developments are not only affecting these environments, they also play an important role in the day to day life of citizens. For IST developments have changed the way they receive education and information. The Internet has become a household word. All these developments have far-reaching consequences for the economic and social landscape of the future.

Through our internationally based strategic partners, we work closely with governments, companies and institutions to build an understanding of how IST will impact upon people, firms and communities, as well as how it can be harnessed to build knowledge of policies and initiatives. We assist in this process by performing research and consultancy in the field of IST policy, which provides our clients with a solid base for their decisions, policy and strategy development, insights into opportunities offered and the changing environment as a result of IST.

Our areas of work include the following:

1. IST policy and strategy in relation to social and economic development
2. IST policy in relation to energy, environment and sustainable development
3. IST policy in relation to transport, infrastructure and logistics
4. E-learning, E-health, E-government
5. Internet governance

Social Policy and Governance

The economic climate in some parts of Africa is improving and in most countries, the number of people working is higher than it has been for many years. However, sustainable economic growth cannot be achieved without complementary measures in the social field which balance conflicting social pressures and marshal human resources within an efficient and socially fair framework. Such concerns span the domain of education and training, labour markets, equal opportunities, social inclusion, industrial relations and the social dialogue, justice and home affairs, social protection and the social economy. They are of concern as much to firms as to governments. Worklessness is used to refer to all people of working age who are without work. Geographically, worklessness can be identified in pockets of areas affected by deprivation. However, the range of barriers to work across different populations is more difficult to define and understand the cause and effect of labour market engagement. In addition to these difficulties, we understand the issues that regional and local organizations face when tackling worklessness and providing better opportunities to work. The key challenges are:

1. Improving performance with less money;
2. Increasing percentage of local people taking local jobs;
3. Creating sustainable employment;
4. Achieving progression once in work;
5. Reaching the hard to engage.

The CTPD Management Consultants has a long tradition of employment research and consultancy and has played an important role in shaping, communicating and implementing policy developments to clients at some parts of SADC regional, national and local levels. Our employment research is conducted across the full policy cycle, from policy conception to communicating ‘what works’. We appreciate the importance of partnership working and gaining public, private and voluntary sector involvement and as such are continually developing our tools to support these challenges.

Social policy, labor and learning

Sustainable economic growth cannot be achieved without complementary measures in the social field which balance conflicting social pressures and marshal human resources within an efficient and socially fair framework. Such concerns span the domain of education and training, labour markets, equal opportunities, social inclusion, industrial relations and the social dialogue, justice and home affairs, social protection and the social economy. They are of concern as much to firms as to governments. Our analytical skills are both quantitative and qualitative. We are equally at home in providing an economic analysis of labour market trends as we are with social survey work in support of policy/programme evaluation using qualitative data.

But our interests go beyond analysis and evaluation, a major element of work involves supporting agencies whether international, national or local in programme delivery. The scope of such work involves skills in administration and management, financial control, communication and dissemination. We have a special interest in the management of innovatory social programmes where project applicants need “hands on” support and the programme sponsor the widest possible dissemination of the results. Our ability to combine research, consultancy and programme management in these fields is a unique resource for clients.

Our areas of work include the following:

1. Labor markets
2. Human resource management
3. Terms of employment (wage formation, social dialogue)
4. Equality of opportunity and social inclusion
5. Lifelong learning and skills development
6. Social economy and social enterprise
7. Research and policy advice