Consortium of Christian Relief & Development Association (CCRDA), Ethiopia & Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation

Need

In 2013, CCRDA was awarded a BMSF Secure the Future (STF) grant to pilot a Postgraduate Diploma in Development studies, based on the aims, objectives and model of the BMSF Non-Governmental Training Institute.

The Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) Program was the first of its kind in Ethiopia with the purpose of enhancing the capacities of Chief Scientist Offices (CSOs) to manage their development programs and projects at the required level of implementation. Seventy- four out of 100 students graduated.

An external evaluation conducted by STF Technical Assistance Program (TAP) found that CCRDA was a strategic and competent partner to implement the PGD NGOTI program based on its experience in training and resource capacity. The CCRDA PGD NGOTI program was tailored around existing gaps in relation to local development sector CSOs’ needs and training structure in the country. It highlighted the multi-sectoral partnerships approach that brought together partners with complementing competencies which helped make the implementation of the PGD NGOTI program successful. It found that the CCRDA PGD NGOTI program’s expectations of the participants were clear at admission stage, which reduced conflicts and uncertainty, although the absence of a project monitoring and evaluation plan post training compromises documentation of lessons learned and best practices as well as outcomes from the program. It recommended the introduction of the E-learning method of program delivery, but noted that it required good instructional technology systems to ensure that academic outputs are accomplished and the program is effective. Areas to be improved were skills transfer after training and graduation, which should be coordinated to benefit all NGOs. Additionally, the short training duration compromised the quality of skills and knowledge transfer after the training and thus there is a need to consolidate the positive aspects and to address the shortfall identified. This proposal aims to address these shortcomings and enable the program to be entrenched in the country.

CCRDA has also committed to building the human resource capacities of those BMSF-Secure the Future partners that are engaged in the health sector in Ethiopia with focus on the fight against cancer, TB and HIV and AIDS. CCRDA has also taken the responsibility of organizing a need-based, short-term, capacity-building package for BMSF development partners in Ethiopia.