MDF PI MANAGEMENT TRAINING AND CONSULTANCY CONCEPTS
The focus of MDF remains on aspects related to management and education. The MDF products and services are aimed at the strategic steering of organisations and sectors, operational management of projects and programs, as well as personal behavior of individuals, human relations and human resources management. Strengthening of the education sector (institutions and individuals) is another field of expertise of MDF.
Understanding the, often confusing and fast-changing, development context and ongoing decentralisation and capacity building efforts of local governments and other (education) institutions should be a guiding concept in the management of development interventions in general, and capacity building in particular. We always look from these perspectives and their strong interrelations.
New development concepts, decentralisation and local governance
Over the past decade a shift in focus has emerged, from projects to programs, sector support policies, basket funding, sector-wide approach programs and budget support, accompanied by decentralisation efforts towards district and local governments and (education) institutions. Furthermore, the introduction of new approaches is often accompanied by ‘Management for Development Results’ efforts of the recipient governments.
Often it is difficult to distinguish between the different approaches, their terminologies, and especially their consequences for intervention strategies and activities. A thorough understanding of the above, however, is crucial for designing and implementing development interventions, at any level.
Institutional & organisational development and good governance
The performance of an organisation and institution is dependent to a large extend on the strategic direction it is taking and the way this strategic direction is managed in the context of its environment (ISOA or sectoral approach) and internal set-up (ID/OS or Institutional Development and Organisational Strengthening).
Strategic steering of organisations/ institutions in their sector deals with understanding organisations/institutions in the context of their environment. Strategic steering leads to change strategies that maintain or improve organisational/ institutional performance.
Management, leadership and human resources management
Every organisation and institution depends on the people it has. Although the knowledge of these people is crucial. Personal management and leadership skills, team work, communication, conflict management and human resources management are therefore crucial areas that fit in the area we call management, leadership and Human Resources Management (HRM).
Operational project and program management
Organisations often run many projects and programs at the same time. In development cooperation, with its outside funding by donors, organisations exist that supervise and coordinate large numbers of activities, from conceptual stages via implementation to closing and evaluation.
Operational management of such project and program activities (RBM, PCM and PM) is the fourth management field crucial to the success of many organisations.
Strengthening of education institutions
MDF, with its 25 years of experience in the education sector in numerous developing countries, is well-placed to advise education institutions on new approaches and concepts in this sector. Almost daily we apply concepts such as competency-based teaching and learning and appropriate curriculum design through our trainings and the education projects we are managing (in Indonesia, Africa, Latin-America and other places in the world).
Again, the linkages between strengthening of education institutions and, for example, decentralisation and program management, are strong and mutually reinforcing. Our perspective on strengthening education institutions is that it is vital to take into account all of the above mentioned areas, as our services in the education sector shows.
