Resources search

Just do it : dealing with the dilemmas in monitoring and evaluating capacity building

JAMES, Rick
November 2009

Expand view

This report draws on the author’s practical experience in the field suggesting some pragmatic ways to deal with the dilemmas often faced by organisations when monitoring and evaluating capacity building.  The author suggests starting simple, focusing on what is feasible and doing it [capacity building] in such a way as to reinforce NGO ownership of that capacity building

Praxis Note n°49

Capacity development : a UNDP primer

WIGNARAJA, Kanni
2009

Expand view

"This primer addresses the basic elements of the UNDP approach to capacity development. It provides a simple, cogent and accessible illustration of the UNDP Capacity Development Approach for the benefit of development practitioners both within and beyond the UN development system – a real-world guide to real-world applications to strengthen and contribute to national capacities for development"

Impact assessment : drivers, dilemmas, and deliberations

CHAPMAN, Jennifer
MANCINI, Antonella
April 2008

Expand view

This paper investigates key debates and issues around impact assessment and performance measurement for UK development NGOs. Initially, it was created to stimulate internal debate at Sightsavers, however, it has been adopted for use by the NGO sector at large. It would be useful for anyone with an interest in organisational management and development

Capacity, change and performance : study report

BASER, Heather
MORGAN, Peter
April 2008

Expand view

This comprehensive report looks in detail at the issues of capacity and capacity development including an explanation and discussion of the concept of capacity development. The report considers the main actors who play a part in, and different ways to think about, capacity development; the different conditions under which capacity development takes place; and the processes and strategies that can/should be employed to increase it.  The report is structured to enable readers to easily access the sections that are relevant to them

Discussion Paper No 59B

Business principles for countering bribery|Small and medium enterprise (SME) edition

TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL
2008

Expand view

These Business Principles are the values by which business can be conducted with integrity. They have been developed to be particularly relevant to small and medium sized businesses (SMEs), together with guidelines which give practical advice to help those organisations with fewer resources of time, money and people, through the process of developing an anti-bribery strategy to suit their size and structure

Building capacity through financial management : a practical guide

CAMMACK, John
August 2007

Expand view

“This guide provides an overview of financial management and the practical tools that can help build the financial capacity of non-profit organisations. Using case studies to demonstrate good practice, it offers practical advice in how to work with a partner organisation to build financial capacity. Intended for managers and trustees of non-profit organisations, the guide provides tools and techniques for using financial skills to improve organisational and programme management. enabling them to build their own financial systems. It is also of use to those assessing another organisation's financial capacity”

Implementation of the world programme of action concerning disabled persons : the millennium development goals and synergies with other United Nations disability instruments

SECRETARY GENERAL, UNITED NATIONS
July 2007

Expand view

This report aims to determine the overall efforts being made to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and the potential for synergy with other United Nations mechanisms focusing on the rights of persons with disabilities. It would be useful for anyone with an interest in mainstreaming disability

Capacity assessment methodology : user’s guide

WIGNARAJA, Kanni
COLVILLE, Jennifer
BALASSNIAN, Dalita
May 2007

Expand view

This guide provides an overview, and the benefits of, UNDP’s approach to developing and assessing capacity.  It details methods by which to assess capacity and capacity development needs, providing operational guidelines and capacity development strategies.  It provides UNDP and other development practitioners with step-by-step guide using the UNDP default” Capacity Assessment Framework and Supporting Tool", including detailed examples of topics and questions to ask, when conducting a capacity assessment. The UNDP’s approach is presented in the Practice Notes which should be used in conjunction with the User’s Guide

We're too much in 'to do' mode: action research into supporting international NGOs to learn

Smit, Maaike
February 2007

Expand view

This paper has been produced by INTRAC (International Training and Research Centre) and PSO (an association of 45 development NGOs in the Netherlands). Using the experience of NGOs in the Netherlands, it is designed to support International NGOs in the process of organisational learning. The key focus is on 'self knowledge' - analysing how your organisation can reflect on its learning processes and capacities. The paper provides a practical exploration of how researchers and participants from organisations can use action research to evaluate organisational learning with a view to improving practice. This paper would be highly relevant for managers, consultants, researchers and other professionals involved with organisational learning within NGOs

Learning from capacity building practice : adapting the 'Most Significant Change' (MSC) approach to evaluate capacity building provision by CABUNGO in Malawi

WRIGLEY, Rebecca
December 2006

Expand view

This paper presents the findings of an evaluation initiative of the capacity building services provided by CABUNGO, a local capacity building support provider in Malawi. Using the Most Significant Change approach - a story-based, qualitative and participatory methodology - this pilot exercise attempted to capture the changes resulting from capacity building and to enhance the learning and performance of CABUNGO. Organisational capacity development activities facilitated shifts in knowledge and practices but also in relationships and power dynamics. The paper also highlights advantages and constraints of the MSC approach

Facilitation of organisational change : beyond organisational and institutional development

VAN DER VELDEN, Fons
LEENKNEGT, Anne-Marie
December 2006

Expand view

From the mid 1990s onwards a real paradigm shift has taken place which positions development in general and organisational and institutional development (OD/ID) in particular within the new science view of complex systems theory. Within such a view development is considered a non-linear, rather chaotic non-predictable process; organisations and institutions are viewed as living organisms. These insights have led to the recognition of a learning approach to organisational change and the emergence of ‘new’ OD versus ‘old’ OD. ‘New pragmatic OD’ recognises multiple realities and inherent subjectivity of experience, whereby attention is paid to power dimensions within the client relationship, changing consciousness or mindsets of people and the need to develop values and methodologies in dealing with these issues. This multi-dimensional approach includes competent attention for three interrelated critical components of a change strategy: (1) content; (2) people; (3) process. Thereby a distinction should also be made between the types of organisational change (developmental, transitional or transformational) and different levels in the process (project, systems or conscious process thinking). Each type of change is legitimate, but has a different purpose and logic. The realisation of such an integrated approach has led to a shift in semantics: from OD/ID to change management, process facilitation or facilitation of change processes. Relative outsiders can - on the directive non-directive continuum - perform the role of expert, advisor or facilitator; the self-organising style may be the option for the future

Learning leadership development from African cultures : a personal perspective

MALUNGA, Chiku
September 2006

Expand view

This PraxisNote supports the notion that effective leadership development strategies in Africa should be rooted in the rich cultural heritage and indigenous social practices. Crucially, the paper adopts an 'ubuntu' perspective, a world-view built around five interrelated principles: sharing and collective ownership of opportunities, responsibilities and challenges; the importance of people and relationships over things; participatory decision making and leadership; patriotism; and reconciliation as a goal of conflict management. The Note looks in some detail at the implications for leadership development of these principles and briefly discusses lessons learned

Child-safe organisations : training toolkit|A practical child protection resource for grassroots organisations

KING, Sinart
et al
July 2006

Expand view

This publication intends to address the need of many local organisations working with children to develop effective safeguards that protect children, and to make these standards a practical reality for staff, volunteers and partners. More specifically, the toolkit provides a framework for training of local and grassroots organisations on child protection. The training programme, set forth in the three modules, has been tested and revised with more than 30 local organisations working with children in Thailand. The modules cover the following areas: awareness raising; organisations' contact with children and how best to deal with child protection issues; and what organisations can do to improve their child protection status. The modules contain training notes for facilitators, exercises, evaluation forms and slide show handouts. This is a very comprehensive and accessible resource, to be used in the training of staff and volunteers and in the development of organisations' child protection policy

Tools for knowledge and learning : a guide for development and humanitarian organisations

RAMALINGAM, Ben
July 2006

Expand view

This toolkit brings together approaches and techniques aimed at supporting the learning and knowledge management of humanitarian organisations, to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their work. It provides a comprehensive overview of 30 tools and techniques, divided into five categories: i) strategy development; ii) management techniques; iii) collaboration mechanisms; iv) knowledge sharing and learning processes; and v) knowledge capture and storage. This guide is primarily aimed at staff working in development organisations

Pages

E-bulletin