In this issue
We are happy to bring you the news that our colleague Marie-José Niesten has safely arrived in Ghana where she has started as the director of the MDF West Africa branch office from August 6th onwards. Other topics covered in this NewsLetter are:
- NFP Sponsorship 2012-2013
- Welcome: new staff
- MDF programme 2012
- Join MDF on LinkedIn, Twitter & Facebook
- Recently acquired assignments
- Upcoming courses
Spreading our wings: News from Ghana
Ingrid Plag, who established the MDF West Africa (WA) branch office in 2009, will be leaving Ghana to become Head of Unit at the MDF Head Office in Ede, the Netherlands. Marie-José Niesten has taken over her position as director MDF WA as from August 6th. Marie-José has been working with MDF since 1993, and she is happy to return to West Africa in this new position. MDF director Herman Snelder: "On behalf of all her colleagues I would like to thank Marie-José for all her remarkable work at our Head Office. I am confident she will continue the fantastic work of Ingrid and I wish Marie-José therefore all the best in her new position. We will also be happy to welcome Ingrid back at our Head Office in Ede later this year."
Please find the profile of Marie-José on our website. Marie-José can be reached by mail (mn@mdf.nl) or by phone (+233(0) 24 0793104).
NFP Sponsorships 2012 - 2013
NUFFIC (Netherlands organisation for international co-operation in higher education) has again awarded MDF to offer you sponsorships through the Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP) programme. Participants from 60 countries can apply for 7 courses (of which two in French). Find out more online or download the brochure here.
Welcome: new staff
Ingrid Oomes will join MDF this month as a trainer/consultant on organisational development and human resources. Ingrid has experience in advising on project cycle management, strategic policy planning and communication. She has a background in Sociology and Journalism and has worked in several international structures as a programme advisor. Lastly she worked as a public sector consultant at Ernst & Young. Ingrid has a specific interest in facilitating the translation of organisational goals into policy choices, programmes and hands on instruments.
Request the MDF Programme 2012
The MDF Programme will provide you with information about our consultancy services and the course programme in 2012. Interested to receive the programme via postal mail this Autumn? Complete your contact details using the link in a newsletter: 'View and Edit your data' and request the printed brochure here. Do not receive our newsletter? Sign up using the link on the right of this page.
Interested in the digital Programme? No need to leave your details, we will let you know through our NewsLetter when you can download it from our website.
Join us on
Twitter: and be the first to know about discounts and new materials
LinkedIn: and start a discussion or leave a question
Facebook: and learn more about experiences from participants
Recently acquired assignments
Four new NICHE projects
MDF Training & Consultancy has been awarded by NUFFIC to implement 4 new NICHE projects. Two projects in Rwanda, one in Colombia and one in South-Sudan. The projects focus on:
- The development of a gender-sensitive Agroforestry/Forestry/Agriculture Extension Centre at the National University of Rwanda;
- Institutional strengthening and capacity development of the Higher Institute of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry (ISAE), in line with the needs of the labour market;
- Fortalecimiento a la estrategia de desconcentración de la Oferta de la Educación Superior en Colombia;
- Upgrading Crop Training Centre Yei (CTC Yei) to offer accredited programmes in agriculture management and production with special emphasis on agricultural extension services in South Sudan.
Together with our partners we are looking forward to start these projects in the near future!
PPCM Programme for the EU external cooperation
MDF is part of the winning consortium (lead partner ADE Belgium) who has been awarded the PPCM programme for the EU external cooperation. PPCM follows on the still on-going ADM (Aid Delivery Methods) training & support programme, for which MDF has been partner in two different consortia already twice (since 2005).
It covers the provision of expertise for the development of analytical and monitoring tools/guidance, training and other capacity development activities. This support is of strategic importance for the aid effectiveness agenda and the long term objectives of improved quality and results of development cooperation.
The main target groups are EC staff, in headquarters and in EU Delegations worldwide. European External Action staff and staff from partner countries will also benefit from the programme.
Upcoming courses
Management course for Development Practitioners
Ede, 19 Sept – 14 Oct (English and French)
Organisations are moving away from the input-output culture and are now focusing more on the actual benefits for the beneficiairies. This requires a change in knowledge of planning, M&E, and organisational analysis. MDF will introduce you to methods such as Theory of Change and Result Based Monitoring and will stimulate you linking them to your daily activities.
Value Chain Concept
Ede, 3 – 7 Oct
The Value Chain Concept course has been thoroughly revised, providing you with the latest insights and even more instruments on value chain facilitation in practice. It now offers you an intense and dynamic programme that enables you to learn, practice and share experiences with participants from around the globe on pro-poor value chain development.
Gender Mainstreaming in Projects and Programmes
Ede, 24 Oct – 4 Nov
Assuring that equal numbers of men and women are participating is a measure taken, but what else needs to be done to redress imbalance in the respective positions of men and women? You will practise with different tools and issues regarding gender inclusion.
Capacity WORKS
Ede, 18 – 20 Oct (French)
Ede, 25 – 27 Oct (English)
The three days course introduces participants to the essence of the Capacity WORKS model and leads to certification in Capacity WORKS, which is a precondition for future involvement in GIZ programmes. Join the programme in French from 18 – 20 October 2011.
More information and registration
Click on the title of the course and for a complete overview of our courses this year view our course calendar or contact our registration officer Ms Marieke Dikken.
Come and join us!
Hans Rijneveld and Herman Snelder
Directors MDF Training & Consultancy
