WCG DoTP APP 2023/2024

DATA AND EVIDENCE

The provision of data and evidence using multiple indices, small geographical area population estimates and dashboards for analysis of policy matters enables decision-making in a local/community level context. The policy matters include household growth, food security, COVID-19 vaccine registrations, violent crime statistics and accessibility to government services. The PDO has partnered with the South Africa Centre for Evidence (SACE) at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) for the development and piloting of a Responsive Evidence System for African Policy needs (REAP). The partnership serves as an example towards building data and evidence capabilities. The PDO has collaborated on approaches in advancing the art and science of data and evidence use and creating a toolbox of evidence methods for producing evidence synthesis and building evidence communities for knowledge translation. Examples to date include the partnership with the WCED on co-creating an evidence map on the Education Legislation and Policy Landscape. Demand for financial management support services is expected to increase significantly as there is a distinct need for transformation with specific emphasis on integration, collaboration and calculative approaches not only within the unit, but also across the various business units and programmes – this will be a strategic focus area for the sub-programme during the 2023/24 financial period - mindful of the trying economic outlook and the fact that the department has reached the goal of compliance (given its clean audit outcome) and is now moving towards a maturity level where its resources are being used more efficiently, effectively and economically, moving to smart conformance. Branch: Executive Governance and Integration continues to strengthen and simplify its Financial Management and SCM processes through the digitalisation of processes, mapping of non-digitised processes and introducing templates in mitigation of potential non-compliances. The existing procurement approach is to group commodities/services across the department to generate potential savings through economies of scale. The Provincial Strategic Management Branch (Programme 2) has experienced an increased demand for policy and technical support. This relates to the role in supporting delivery on provincial strategic priorities and the demand for PDO services. This demand is expected to increase further given the renewed focus on delivering on the priorities linked to the Provincial Strategic Plan that is data-led and evidence-informed. Various departments have requested the support of the Policy and Strategy unit as they design and implement key programmes. For example, the unit designed the Shukuma Programme, which engages with learners at schools and seeks to understand and address the reasons for violence between learners at schools. This programme is now in the process of being mainstreamed into the Western Cape Education Department, supported by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport. Similarly, support is being provided to the Department of Social Development on how to strengthen existing Youth at Risk and Family Strengthening programmes. The PDO centrally coordinates data and evidence to support the WCG in becoming a data-driven organisation. 6.1.2. Demand for Services

The PDO drives the demand for service through

• Systematic evolvement of the data and evidence flagship initiatives which is informed by and grounded through lessons learnt and remain catalytic in nature.

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DOTP ANNUAL PERFORMANCE PLAN FOR 2023/2024