2nd EXECOM Meeting in 2013,19 October 2013
HQ, Taiwan
Document 9
Board Self Appraisal April 2013
Thirteen Board members completed the self appraisal exercise at the end of the 46th Board meeting in April 2013 held in Bangkok, Thailand. As in the past 2012 exercise separate analysis was done for the data collected from 11 members who have previously filled up the form and the data from the two ‘first-timers’. Separate analysis was done to discriminate the responses from new compared with experienced Board members.
The overall average response of the full Board to all questions increased from 3.0 in 2012 to 3.6. This reflects the Board’s increased satisfaction on its performance. The average score for the “experienced” group was 3.38. This was 2.98 in 2012.
Among the 45 questions, only one got a score lower than 3.0 and came from the experienced group. This question was: 3.3 “The Board is effective in giving strategic guidance to Management on finance and human resources policies” (average score=2.8). In 2012, 16 out of 45 questions got scores lower than 3.0.
Besides question 3.3 mentioned above, the scores ranged from 3.0 to 3.9 among the “experienced” group. The highest satisfaction with average score of 3.9 was observed for 2.2 “The Board respects the responsibilities of the Director General and supports the DG towards accomplishment of the mission”.
Question 7.1 “The Board, with the help of its designated committee, thoroughly discusses the annual operating budget of the Center before approving it” got the second highest score of 3.82.
Question 7.4 “The Board requires an annual audit of Center finances and considers all recommendations made in the independent auditor’s report and management letter” got the third highest score of 3.73.
The average score of 2.5 given to question 6.3 in 2012 ” Board members have identified/facilitated new sources of funding or resources for the Center “ increased to 3.0, but still the lowest score in this exercise.
The score for 9.4 “The Board provides new Board members with a comprehensive orientation to Board responsibilities, the Center’s services, R&D activities and administrative procedures” which got an average score of 2.4 in 2012 showed improvement with a score of 3.1. Only Board members B and F gave a score of 2 to this question. The rest gave it a score of either 3 or 4.
The lowest average score for the “new” group was 2.0 and was given to question 1.1 All Board members are familiar with the current mission of the Center.
Some members offered comments.
Respondent B:
Item 3 Determine the Center's policies: Comment - The Board as a whole gives very little attention to strategic issues. Maybe EXECOM gives more.
Item 4 Ensure effective organizational planning: Comment - Talk more about real strategic issues
Item 7 Oversee the effective management of financial resources: Comment - No discussion of investment strategy
Item 9A Select and orient new Board members: Comment - New members need more thorough introduction
Respondent F:
Item 9B Organization & productivity of the Board: Comment - Sometimes committee meetings are over-scheduled, not allowing enough time for discussion
Respondent H
Item 1.4 The Center's programs and services are aligned to the mission of the Center: Comment -
Regional programs are not as robust/aligned with mission; perhaps too much dispersion of projects across programs. The themes provide good opportunities for increased alignment.
Item 5.5 The Board monitors the quality and quantity of outputs of the Center: Comment - Linkage to outcomes/impacts remains a work of progress.
Item 7.3 The Board receives financial reports on a regular basis that are understandable, accurate and timely: Comment - Relationship of funds to themes/anticipated impacts needs more clarification.
Item 7.4 The Board requires an annual audit of Center finances and considers all recommendations made in the independent auditor's report and management letter: Comment - Did not see or get the management letter.
Item 8 Policy within an International Center: Comment - Need to think about systematic review of HR issues on occasional basis
Item 9.2 The Board's composition reflects the diversity of background and skills needed by the Center:
Comment - A little too light on Africans
Item 9.8 Board members have adequate opportunities to discuss issues and ask questions: Comment - Too little on non-HQ initiatives
Respondent L:
Item 2 Hire the Center Director General and evaluate his or her performance Board members need encouragement to engage more directly in resource procurement: Comment - The Board should do its level best to support the DG.