Funding to Provide Training to Actors

Question: Developed a project proposal, the aim of which is to provide training to actors who have oversight functions in the security sector in a country that has recently experienced conflict. Write a cover letter to a prospective donor to accompany your funding request. In this short cover letter summarise why oversight is important and provide an overview of the type of training you will provide and to whom it will be provided. Answer: Importance of oversight The term oversight comprises of a number of important functions such as reviewing, monitor as well as supervision of different agencies at federal level, for activities, programs, policy implementation and so on. For these functions usually a committee of external members are formed which oversees the operational aspects local committees handling different function like finance, health, public works, security etc. This kind of oversight committees gather relevant information about functioning of each departments followed by proper monitoring and evaluation. These in turn form the basis of transparency in good governance. Specific purpose of oversight function involves examining the operation and activities of executive committees, proper and efficient use of available resources towards maximization of benefits so as to achieve the goals, and maintaining transparency. The importance of oversight committees lies with dealing specific type of issues prioritized for better delivery of se rvice. It also helps in bringing down corruption and enhancing transparency and public accountability. The oversight functions have a lot of significance mainly in security sector in the country which has recently experienced conflict. This is because one cannot have development without having security and vice-versa. This is well accepted across globe that the freedom or security of people or society from conflict is a bare necessity to achieve long term social and economic development. And the long term security can be achieved only when democratic control exists in security sector of a country. This includes military, police as well as intelligence agencies. Significance of funding training on oversight functions It is well documented and observed that in countries which experience civil war and other major conflicts whenever security sectors work autonomously without regarding law of the country and following principles of democracy and good management, poverty management becomes extremely problematic. Hence substantial technical expertise and financial help would be necessary to bring them come out the problems. Mainly the funding agencies would play major role to support improved governance and oversight training of security sector (Ball, 2001). Against this backdrop, the current proposal signifies the need of funding for the training of the country A for improving oversight function in security sector. Overview of the type of training Given that often post conflict countries face problems of security in general and enhanced disadvantage for minority groups by ethnicity, gender, age etc., specialized training would be required to tackle these issue more sympathetically. Training to all official in security sector of the country A at all level which include military, police, bureaucrats will necessary. The training should comprise issues to sensitize officials, capacity building to monitor intended progress and undertake evaluation to design necessary course correction. To whom training will be provided Training will be given to people who are mainly involved in oversight functions in security sector. Specifically the police officers at different level for this phase of training will be covered. As the post conflict countries have enhanced probability of disadvantage for the minority groups and gender disparity, training to police officers will focus to these areas. Experts will be employed to increase sensitization among trainee officers. They will also be given on how to monitor intended progress and undertake necessary course correction. Reference 1. Sinnar, Shirin 2013, Protecting Rights from Within? Inspectors General and National Security Oversight ,Stan. L. Rev. vol. 65 , pp.1027-10852. Ball, Nicole 2001, Transforming security sectors: the IMF and World Bank approaches, Conflict, Security Development, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 45-663. Born, Hans 2002, Democratic Oversight of the Security Sector. What does it mean?, Geneva centre for the democratic control of armed forces (DCAF) working paper series no. 9.4. Brinkerhoff, D. W. 2005, Rebuilding governance in failed states and post conflict societies: core concepts and crosscutting themes, Public Admin. Dev., vol. 25, pp.314.