rcog international office consultancy skills and tools angela brown, technical assistance manager,...
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RCOG International Office
Consultancy Skills and Tools
Angela Brown, Technical Assistance Manager, RCOG International Office
RCOG International Office
Purpose of Technical Assistance
• To contribute to the development of the productive resources of countries
• building up/strengthening human and institutional capacity to design and implement effective policies and programmes
IMF Factsheet September 2005
RCOG International Office
The Provision of “know-how”
• TA is one input to the complex, long-term process of capacity development – personnel, knowledge, training and research
RCOG International Office
The Recipient
• Full involvement in the entire process of TA – from identification of need, to implementation, monitoring and evaluation
• Country-led
• Spreads ownership and understanding
• Empowering
RCOG International Office
What Makes a Good Consultant?
• Excellent interpersonal skills – ability to form a relationship and engender trust
• Client-oriented• Ability to listen and critically analyse to identify
underlying problems• Ability to understand the context of the problem• Ability to think on your feet• Adaptable/flexible
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What makes a Good Consultant?• Good communicator
• Team worker
• Tact
• Report writing skills in plain language
• Negotiation skills
• Sound technical knowledge in area of expertise
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Technical Skills
• Understanding and achieving terms of reference
• Using professional standards
• Drawing on available evidence base
• Possessing appropriate qualifications
• Making practical, feasible and cost-effective recommendations
RCOG International Office
Consultancy skills
• Working cooperatively with client in meeting expectations and outputs
• Using participatory tools to involve clients and other stakeholders in planning, implementing and evaluating interventions
• Thoroughly analysing and understanding client context• Presenting relevant analysis and recommendations in
well-conceived, clear and concise reports• Innovating and striving to exceed client expectations
RCOG International Office
Accountability• Completing contractual requirements and
reporting in a timely manner• Making recommendations that are cost-effective• Recommending, designing and implementing
interventions that respond to real needs of client• Using client-friendly language and problem
solving approaches• Demonstrating fiscal responsibility
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Programme Impact• Observing changes and improvements• Strengthening programmes and institutions• Contributing to scientific and professional
knowledge• Enhancing the capacity of clients to sustain
improvements, services and products
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Tools Needed
Getting Started:
• Terms of Reference
• Contract
• Programme and background documents
• Briefing
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Undertaking the Assignment• Data collection tools
Quantitative – facility assessment tools, observation check lists, questionnaires
Qualitative – focus group discussion guides, in-depth interview guides
• Workshop/training materials• Stakeholder analysis• Report format
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Completing the Assignment• Debriefing tools
Powerpoint presentationExit report to client
• Data synthesis and report writingData analysisSynthesis of findingsPractical, feasible and cost-effective recommendationsFinalised and quality assured report