Strengthening Technical Institutional Capacity of NGOs in Manica

Strengthening Technical & Institutional Capacity of NGOs in Manica - Mozambique Dr Paulo R P de Souza (Country Rep)

Objectives of the Presentation 1. Present the strategy for capacity development of partner NGOs in Manica, and show partial results so far achieved; 2. Demonstrate the importance of developing local resources and making them available to partners and the community as a means to improve and sustain their capacity to respond to HIV and AIDS.

Strategy for Capacity Development used in Manica 1. Decision to apply a Strengths-based Approach to Capacity Development 2. Development and use of a participatory self-assessment tool to measure existing capacity of prioritised NGOs (criteria established with Network of AIDS NGOs/Monaso and the Provincial AIDS Committee/NPCS) 3. Selection and training in 5 key areas (Tech + OD) of a Core Team of Trainers (TOT) comprised of 15 staff and volunteers from partner NGOs (also trained in facilitation, mentoring and monitoring skills) skills

Developing Skills

Strategy for Capacity Development used in Manica (cont. ) 4. Replication of trainings to priority NGOs based on existing strengths, so as to help them become focal points for other NGOs (e. g. HBC, BCC, advocacy) advocacy 5. Regular mentoring & monitoring of activities by TOT, partners and Burnet staff 6. Development of support structures (Training Unit and Resource Centre) Centre 7. Regular meetings among participating NGOs and TOT to exchange experiences and analyse impact of activities being implemented

Regular Field Visits and Mentoring

Monitoring Process and Results Process – simple and mostly qualitative tools were developed and applied to gather data on how and what changes have taken place within the NGOs as a result of the strategy, so as to confirm that the process of capacity development was effective Results – similar tools were used to measure changes in behaviour and performance of individuals and NGOs, which would reflect on the quality of their services to the community

Tools for Collecting Data on Change Guided self assessment (used for baseline assessment, later to be integrated into monitoring and review processes of NGO ) Focus group discussions (promoted by MONASO) Key informant interviews (by TOT and Burnet staff) Documentation review (reports of mentoring and monitoring visits, trainings and follow-up activities) Stories of change (relating to changed individual, group or organisational behaviour and performance, collected by TOT, volunteers and activists)

Monitoring Change: Focus Groups, Stories of Change and Key-informant Interviews

Results so far Achieved Initial self-assessment of capacity of priority NGOs in Manica Province completed (baseline reports) Training Unit facilities fully operational, with 10 Trainers of Trainers providing mentoring to trainees, monitoring their activities and developing follow-up activities (e. g. exchange visits, focus group discussions, observation in the field ) Resource Centre with computers connected to the Internet, reference books, IEC materials and other equipment for support of member associations (photocopy, fax and telephone)

Resource Centre and Training Unit

Results Achieved (cont. ) 30 NGOs received formal training in 5 key technical and OD areas, followed by regular mentoring and monitoring of activities (tools for measuring change in behaviour and ( performance have recently been introduced) Thematic Group meetings happening on a monthly basis, with debates on selected topics and on the impact of ongoing activities

Results after 3 years (cont. ) Field visits to local NGOs to exchange experiences and monitor implementation of activities 21 local NGOs receiving training on Expanded Counselling (including basic knowledge of green medicine, gender-based violence, and legal rights of positive people and their families )

Challenges and Way Forward n n n Reduce turn-over of volunteers (development of Volunteer Policy and Code of Conduct) Keep trainers of Trainers engaged and committed (incentives and continued support) Avoid duplication of activities (regular meetings with other INGOs, Donors and Stakeholders) Further develop capacity of partners to effectively manage small funds (training in financial management and intensive mentoring of finance officers) Increase access to funds by local NGOs (lobby with MOH and National AIDS Council to reduce bureaucracy and time between approval and release of funds)

Thank you