NewsLetter February 2011
In this issue
In this issue we deal with on one of our main focus topics for this year: Managing for Development Results (MfDR). You can read our interview with Dick van Blitterswijk, senior MfDR trainer/consultant.
Further find information on the latets duicussion on LinkedIn and a list of upcoming courses.
Invitation for the next NewsLetter
Are you dealing with Networks or Alliances? Send your questions to newsreel@mdf.nl before March 4, 2011. Ger Roebeling, senior trainer/consultant will answer a few of them in the next issue.
Latest MDF discussions on LinkedIn
Dick van Blitterswijk: Managing for Development Results – Use available information!
Managing for Development Results
Dick, can you explain us briefly what is MfDR?
Results matter. MfDR is the management strategy focussing on those results, particularly the improvements in the lives of people.
Why would one work within this context?
Increasingly, governments and NGOs are triggered to achieve results. The general public more and more holds the government accountable and NGOs are forced to become more cost-effective, particularly in time of budgetary cuts.
What expertise can MDF deliver?
MDF has a clear overview of the present MfDR thinking and can provide practical examples of its application. (‘How to?’ use MfDR concepts in practice). This includes result-based Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation practices and organisational analysis (CAPScan, 5 Core Capabilities) and strengthening. Evidence based learning and decision making as well as accountability is central in our PM&E approach. Obviously, high level commitment and strong result-oriented leadership is crucial for a successful shift towards MfDR.
To whom is MfDR applicable?
Interestingly enough, all over the world, development actors are gradually becoming more result-oriented and can therefore benefit from MfDR concepts and principles. Our products and services are particularly meant for development practitioners in governments and NGOs.
Any other remarks
Above all: a strong result-oriented approach can be highly motivating for staff. Map out changes and successes from your interventions, provides important positive energy and so does systematic learning from things that did not work according to the plan. Just think of one crucial result that you have achieved in the past year. How does that feel?
Upcoming courses
Here an overview of the courses organised in Ede soon:
Managing for Development Results
Ede, 18-21 April 2011
You will understand MfDR as a modern management strategy and be able and motivated to use key MfDR tools.
Monitoring & Evaluation and Learning
Ede, 23 May - 3 June 2011
Having problems linking planning to effective monitoring of the project/programme? Is monitoring an ad-hoc problem-solving activity rather than enabling you to take proper decisions and learn systematically?
Participant: "An opportunity which helped me improve my M & E and L Skills."
Human Resources Management in an International Context
Ede, 6 - 10 June 2011
Enabling and encouraging a multicultural pool of staff is key to reach optimal organisational performance. And it is rather challenging!
Financial Management for Non-Financial Managers
Ede, 20 - 24 June 2011
Help you out in understanding financial principles and integrate them into the M&E system of your project or organisation.
Participant: `Great for non-financial managers who would like to understand what finance people are doing.'
Knowledge Management for Development
Ede, 18 - 21 April 2011
Efficient knowledge management has become one of the key factors for the success of an organisation. Especially in a knowledge-rich and complex environment like international development.
Participant: "The KMD training provides you with useful insights into knowledge management in order to work actively on creating a learning organisation."
Writing Winning Proposals
Ede, 12 - 15 April 2011
Get youself acquainted with the context, terminology and procedures of both grant funding and service contracts and become able to use the ingredients necessary for quality proposals.
Outcome Mapping
Ede, 12 - 15 April 2011
Outcome Mapping is a PM&E and Learning approach that is a very valuable way of planning for sustainable positive behaviour change in a development intervention.
Participant: "Very useful, good to exchange thoughts with the trainers and other PME experts. Good introduction to OM and how it can go together with LFA."
PO Box 430
6710 BK Ede
Netherlands
PO Box 430
6710 BK Ede
Netherlands
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