8.4 Funding and Financial Capacity

This area involves NHRI ability to deliver services and carry out mandated roles and responsibilities within the constraints of available funding. NHRIs require the capacity to mobilise resources, and handle unexpected financial pressures.

At the Establishment phase, the budget for the NHRI should already have been included in the government Annual estimates (see Chapter 7) and the planned expenditures should match what was committed at the pre-establishment phase. If UNCTs are working with the government, support can be provided to offer information about standard budget line items, as necessary, having regard to practices in other countries.

Donor coordination is especially important at this phase. The UNCT or another selected lead donor can provide a shared platform to meet with others and coordinate assistance, as well as ensuring that there is receptor capacity at the NHRI to manage the funds.

Implications for the establishment phase: Funding levels should be adequate for the NHRI to function and carry out its responsibilities, having regard to the country situation, practices in comparable counties and advice from public administration officials.

NHRIs require some flexibility to realign their spending targets depending on national situations of crisis or even longer term issues as they evolve. NHRIs should be given the authority in developing countries to seek additional funding from donors and to work with the UN and other entities to maintain control of funds thus obtained.