Policy Teams Guideline
Introduction to Policy Teams
Overview
NZAID adopts an agency wide approach to developing and reviewing policy and sector/thematic strategies or plans. This facilitates knowledge sharing and learning within the Agency, ensures wide ownership of our policy processes and outcomes, allows us to draw on the expertise of all staff, and gives staff an opportunity to build their policy development skills.
This document includes guidance for those establishing or participating in Policy Teams. It also contains information for directors and team leaders regarding staff participation on Policy Teams, and refers to input by AIDMGT, the Communications Team, the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director and staff in general regarding policy development and review processes.
The guidance in this document draws on the experiences and lessons of NZAID staff who have previously chaired and participated in cross agency policy development teams.
There is value in taking a consistent approach when developing and reviewing policy and sector/thematic strategy given its importance to NZAID’s work, the time commitment for staff involved in review and development processes, and our consultation obligations.
What is a Policy Team?
Policy Teams are formal, cross agency teams that oversee development and review of policy and sector/thematic strategy and produce related outputs. They are finite teams set up to fulfil these particular functions.
A summary of existing NZAID Policy and sector/thematic strategy (as at March 2007) is in Annex 1: NZAID policy and sector/thematic strategy.
Objectives of Policy Teams
The overall objectives of Policy Teams are to:
- contribute to the development, review and refinement of NZAID policy and sector/thematic strategy;
- provide a means of drawing on knowledge and experience, building policy skills, and promoting learning across the organisation.
Each Policy Team will develop specific objectives that are relevant to their overall purpose and particular area of focus.