PCE The PCE is an interactive tool designed to conduct a situational analysis of the existing phytosanitary system, and to help the NPPO assess its progress over time in the implementation of the IPPC and the international standards on phytosanitary measures. The PCE is aligned with the Phytosanitary Capacity Building Strategy of the IPPC. Other benefits of the tool include:
1. Identification of gaps in the phytosanitary system which need to be addressed.
2. Conducting a stakeholders analysis and keeping track of stakeholders that are relevant in the phytosanitary system of the country
3. Conducting a problem analysis to identify the root cause of the gaps identified
4. Conducting and documenting strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing the NPPO in managing an effective phytosanitary system.
5. Assist in the development of a strategy to address key weakness identified. The PCE includes a logical framework tool that can be used to generate a strategic framework for enhancing the phytosanitary system in the country.
The PCE is useful as a tool for use by contracting parties to gauge progress of development of the phytosanitary system over time or as a tool to be used by facilitators of donors and technical assistance providers to build or strengthen phytosanitary capacity in countries as needed.
The PCE is meant to be implemented at the pace defined by a country. There is no urgency to complete the PCE when it is used for the purpose of self assessment. A deadline may be needed in the case where a facilitator is engaged or the country requires it in order to develop a strategy or proposals for projects for funding either through the national budget or through other funding sources.
The PCE is modular and the user can select the modules they want to apply or repeat. There is no requirement for a full PCE to be applied every time it is launched.
The PCE can be versioned - new sessions can be created. The selected modules, whether all or a few, must be completed before a new session is made.
Countries may apply it more frequently or less frequently as the case necessitates. The IPPC recommends that the PCE be applied at a minimum interval of 3 years.
See below for a brief description of the PCE process.
The PCE is intended to be accessed by a PCE manager and up to 8 additional Coordinators/editors or by a PCE external Facilitator.
The PCE Manager is a national of the country that will be responsible to ensure the PCE is applied and completed in the allotted timeframe.
The PCE coordinator/editor is the person assigned by the PCE manager to complete the modules and associated planning tools in conjunction with a number of designated stakeholders from the public and private sector.
The PCE external facilitator is the person that is assigned to facilitate the implementation of the PCE in 1 or more countries and who has read only rights to PCE data. This person may be given access to the PCE through one of the following ways:
1. Person contracted directly by the IPPC/FAO to implement the PCE in IPPC or FAO projects.
2. Person, e. g. consultant or other, where such person will facilitate the implementation of the PCE, given access by the IPPC only after the IPPC Contact Point authorizes such access to the country PCE data.
On the first run of the PCE or at the beginning of every new session the user is presented with a three stage setup process.
Stage 1 - Identify the persons that will manage the PCE process in the country.
Stage 2 - Selected the modules that are of interest to the country.
Stage 3 - Assign a coordinator to conduct the modules in a stakeholder setting (e. g. meeting or workshop)
Modules are clumped into 8 groupings. The PCE manager is expected to assign a person who will coordinate the completion of each set of modules assigned to him/her. Ideally the PCE manager will assign a person with competence over the subject matter of the modules. It is therefore envisioned that 8 persons will coordinate the PCE country-wide. In human resource constrained countries the PCE may be managed and coordinated in its entirety by 1 person or a few persons. This is fine.
At the end of the module, the persons (users) completing the module are asked to identify a maximum of 5 weaknesses or gaps. These then form the basis for the 3 step process that follows.
1. Problem analysis - The users are asked to review the weakness or gaps identified and then to critically review them once more and refine them.
2. SWOT analysis - Once the weaknesses are agreed upon from the problem analysis, the users are asked to identify the strengths of the NPPO and threats and opportunities in relation to the weaknesses identified.
3. Logical Framework - When the SWOT table is complete. The users are then provided with an tool to develop a logical framework using the SWOT and the problem analysis as a basis.
Typically if the full PCE is applied there will be 12 logical frameworks produced each specific to the topic of the 12 modules. The module on country data is an information only module and does not provide for a logical framework process to be applied.
The PCE manager can then combine or consolidate the logical frameworks completed into a national phytosanitary development strategy and use it as a basis to prepare projects for funding from any relevant source, national or international.
More about PCE Planning ?
The PCE manager or External Facilitator can view the real time implementation of the PCE and view progress toward its completion. The editors after completing the modules and associated planning tools will submit a request for validation to the PCE manager. Once a module has been validated by the PCE manager no further edits can be made to the module or its results. The PCE manager is the sole authority to reopen a module for editing. When all modules have been completed the PCE manager can certify that the PCE has been completed and then close the session. Once closed no one is authorized to edit any of the modules or the results of its associated planning tools. At any stage of the process full editing rights is given to the PCE manager and the PCE coordinator/editor to download, save, print or copy any module or data from any of the associated planning tools. The PCE external facilitator cannot edit at any time any data stored in the PCE tool but can download, save, print or copy any module or data from any of the associated planning tools for the country(s) where he has been authorized to access PCE data.