1.5.4 Partnering Agreements
Although the different types of multi-stakeholder partnerships are many, it is common for the partners to consolidate their arrangement through the preparation
and agreement of some form of written statement. Design-orientated multi-stakeholder partnerships, such as consultation processes
convened to develop new regulatory frameworks or e-strategies, may have very loose rules of engagement, captured in an informal letter of invitation, or for more
structured dialogue, a document such as a Memorandum of Understanding. More ‘hardware’ based partnerships, such as those convened to install mobile
telephone base-stations, may be built around the practice of Early Contractor Involvement ECI – a process of contractor engagement with the client and other
parties that leads either i to the main contract containing partnership-principled clauses such as a commitment to ‘joint’ risk analysis, a 50 50 ‘pain-gain’ clause
to manage costs, or protocols for ‘joint’ project management, or ii to a specific Partnering Agreement, separate from the main contract. In legal terms, this latter
document is generally subordinate to the main contract. However, if its formulation has been properly carried out, all parties will use it as the first and principal point
of reference for resolving client-contractor disputes or exploiting opportunities. More complex, multi-stakeholder, partnerships – for example, one designed to
improve access to the internet for local schools between a regional internet service provider, computer manufacturer, local education authority and various
parent teacher associations – might have an even more detailed Partnering Agreement comprising some or all of the ingredients listed in
BO X C
xvi
2 0
• assumptions
• representatives of each partner organisation
and their status •
geographical boundaries and or target population of the partnership activities
• a common vision statement
• the objectives of the partnership: shared
by all parties; specific to each organisation •
joint workplan, encompassing: activities, schedules and performance indicators;
resource commitments; and responsibilities •
funding arrangements contracts •
decision-making principles •
grievance mechanism to resolve differences •
procedures for transparency and on-going communications between partners
• measures to strengthen the capacity of
partners to implement their commitments •
results of a joint risk analysis and mitigation measures both against internal and
external risks •
a protocol for communicating with constituents and other interested parties
• procedures for monitoring and measuring the
performance of the partnership against both the business and wider social objectives
• rules for individual partners to leave or join
the partnership, and exit strategy for the partnership as a whole
BO X C
INGREDIENTS OF A FORMAL PARTNERING AGREEMENT
In the light of this, a further principle can be identified as follows:
Principle 6 –
Regardless of the type of multi-stakeholder ICT partnerships, prior consensus should be sought for some form of written document identifying, at a
minimum: the shared vision of the partnership; the objectives of each partner for the partnership, and the division of roles and responsibilities. The moral and legal
status of the document will be dependent on circumstances.
1.5.5 O utcomes and Impact
Kategori