Shared Accountability in Service Delivery:

Transcription

1 Shared Accountability in Service Delivery: concepts, principles and the Australian experience Meredith Edwards CEPA Meeting Vienna

2 OUTLINE (1) Accountability concepts (2) Shared Accountability explored (3) Modern accountability questions (4) Starting principles (5) Australian indigenous experience (5) Conclusions and caveats 2

3 (1) Accountability Concepts 3

4 Types of Accountability Accountability is about: - calling and holding institutions and officials to account in undertaking their functions or duties (Mulgan Holding Power to Account 2003) - it is a contested and complex concept - Many types - democratic, hierarchical, vertical, horizontal, social/diagonal. - Focus here is on horizontal types. 4

5 Horizontal accountability: across government agencies across governments across public/third party boundaries - formal contractual or principal/agent - collaborative or networked 5

6 One view: Modern views on accountability Once a given activity formerly performed by a government agency is handed over to a private sector organization, accountability practices and expectations alter significantly. The service providers are no longer under direct government control and are no longer subject to all the requirements of government accountability (Mulgan 2003:186) 6

7 Another view: Modern views on accountability In partnership arrangements between equals, how can accountability be shared? (OAG 2003:12). Accountability is a relationship based on obligations to demonstrate, review, and take responsibility for performance, both the results achieved in light of agreed expectations and the means used (OAG 2002:9:5). 7

8 Social accountability: Role of citizens and accountability an approach towards building accountability that relies on civic engagement, i.e. in which it is ordinary citizens and/or civil society organizations who participate directly in exacting accountability (Malena et a. 2004:3) 8

9 (2) Shared Accountability explored 9

10 Canadian perspective Above definition allows for multiple partners Three types of relationship: - accountability among partners - accountability between each partner and its own governing body - accountability to any joint co-ordinating body Responsibility not reduced; just more demanding 10

11 Australian perspective Use of shared, joint, collective terms The greatest challenge would be the transition to an accountability framework that acknowledges the pressures for shared decision-making power and funding authority through the development of collective accountability for joint governance (APSC 2009a:48). 11

12 (3) Modern accountability: questions 12

13 Some Questions Key : how to adapt hierarchical model to where there are two or more delivery partners? Other: - Use shared accountability language? When? - Does this mean an accountability deficit? - To whom are third parties accountable citizens, and/or funder(s)? - Should auditors audit third parties? - What is the role of the public official? - Do citizens/communities have any obligations? 13

14 (4) Starting Principles 14

15 Principles of effective accountability Clear roles and responsibilities Clear performance expectations Balanced expectations and capacities Credible reporting Reasonable review and adjustment including Shared risk management (OAG 2002; ANAO 2010) 15

16 Citizen-centred Principles of Accountability World Bank accountability framework - strengthen citizen, policy maker, provider relationships - short and long routes of accountability voice and accountability - both ways 16

17 Short and Long routes of Accountability 17

18 Citizen-centred principles of accountability (cont.) Sharing of power Importance of informal institutions Working with existing institutions Capacity building beyond the technical Giving time to get results Attention to state-citizen relationships in institutional arrangements (Goetz and Jenkins 2001) 18

19 (5) Australian Indigenous experience 19

20 Past Lessons lack of clarity in objectives, roles and responsibilities ineffective relationships capacity gaps both government and in communities systemic issues lack of funding flexibility (ANAO 2007:87; Gleeson 2011) 20

21 National Indigenous Reform Agreement Whole of government framework Commitment to targets Integrated strategy to achieve targets Defined responsibilities/accountabilities Funding arrangements Links to other partnership agreements 21

22 Service Delivery Principles in Agreement Priority principle Indigenous Engagement Principle Sustainability Principle Access Principle Integration Principle Accountability Principle 22

23 Partnership on Remote Service Delivery: elements High level and long term commitments Place based, single government interface Local Implementation Plans Enhanced engagement and ownership by communities Support for capacity development ( 23

24 Partnership on Remote Service Delivery (cont.) Importance of: Drawing on previous lessons and overseas experience (e.g. community development) Role of Coordinator-General to: ensure that all government agencies are held accountable for their implementation responsibilities ( Local Implementation Plans as a key accountability tool to hold governments to account. 24

25 (6) Conclusions and Caveats 25

26 Discussion questions: What concepts of accountability are most useful in the current governance environment? what are the key issues to be confronted? What accountability principles ensure effective citizen voice? Is the Australian experience useful with its complex delivery issues? 26

27 Caveats Dealt more with what than how Examples mainly from Westminster systems More emphasis on accountability than citizen engagement concept Need for cross sector conversations and learning from lessons. 27