The Capacity and Integrity Framework
The Capacity and Integrity Framework (CIF) is a simple tool to assess institutional
development needs and design institutional development programs. The CIF describes three
levels (individual, organisational and external) and two
qualities (capacity and integrity) of an institution.
The three levels of an institution:
1. Individual: the employees of the institution
2. Organisational:
its
organizational
structures, policies and procedures
3. External: its relations with other
institutions
The two qualities of an institution:
1. Capacity: the structures, resources and
rules needed to implement its mandate
2. Integrity: respect of basic norms and
values in the use of its capacity
As a result, six institutional categories can be used to
assess needs and plan development:
1. Individual capacity relates to an employee’s training, professional experience and
competence, as well as her or his physical and mental aptitude.
2. Individual integrity refers to an employee’s respect of basic norms and values (human
rights, professional conduct, financial propriety…) before and during service.
3. Organisational capacity refers to the institutional qualities such as the number of
staff, the organisational structure, resources, infrastructure, procedures and information
systems.
4. Organisational integrity relates to procedures and mechanisms employed to ensure
respect of basic norms and values, including disciplinary and complaint procedures,
codes of conduct, representation (gender, ethnicity…), and budgetary accountability.
5. External capacity refers to guidance, management and other support provided to the
institution by government, ministries and other institutions.
6. External integrity relates to various forms of formal and informal external oversight
(parliamentary, political, independent, media…) to ensure the institution’s respect of
basic norms and values, as well as safeguards to prevent political interference.