Programmes when you need it
GETTING THE SUPPORT YOU NEED TO
MANAGE CONSULTANTS FOR SUCCESS
“How do you manage a cocktail of consultants?”
“Sometimes we end up doing the work of the consultant!”
“What do you do when you have a conflict with a consultant?”
Capacity development services of the TSF Southern Africa
The TSF Southern Africa is committed to building the capacity of individuals and organisations to manage consultants for success.
The TSF offers four direct services to individuals and organisations using consultants to scale up the response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic. Our services assist organisations and individuals to manage consultants for success.
1. TSF publication for assignment managers
The TSF Southern Africa has a publication that targets individuals who manage consultants or technical assistance. The publication has checklists that help support an assignment manager meet his/her responsibilities effectively.
2. A facilitated learning programme
This programme is for organisations that would like to manage consultants for success.
This programme involves all the individuals within your organisation who manage consultants. Your organisation reviews what is working well within the organisation and how to learn from each other. Your organisation is then supported by TSF facilitators to manage all stages of an assignment and given the opportunity to capture this learning in a guideline that is then used to support your future management of consultants.
The facilitated learning programme usually involves a two day start-up workshop, followed up four half days for a core team tasked with leading the process. However this programme can also be tailored to meet the specific needs of your organisation.
3. Pre-scoping and preparation of Terms of Reference
Assignments can be complex and difficult to plan. This may be because the assignment is part of the national response or because the needs of a specific organisation are great and it is difficult to think through what assistance will have most impact. Sometimes the task of the assignment is too complex for one consultant to complete and a team of consultants is needed to complete the job. This also makes the assignment more difficult to plan.
The TSF provides facilitators who are able to support organisations in the conceptualisation or pre-scoping and preparation of Terms of Reference. Your organisation can ask the TSF for up to three days of support for the pre-scoping and preparation of the Terms of Reference for a complex assignment.
4. Skills training
The TSF offers two short skills programmes for individuals who write Terms of Reference and who manage consultants. Both courses are highly participative and participants share experiences and learn through group exercises, role play and case studies. Our courses are:
The Conceptualisation and Preparation of Terms of Reference: This programme addresses how to identify when an assignment is needed, how to think through the assignment deliverables and how these relate to a wider programme of action, what will happen after an assignment and what are the components of a good Terms of Reference. Participants will get the chance as part of the course to write Terms of Reference and to get feedback. (3 days)
Managing Consultants: This programme starts with how to select a consultant for a specific assignment and ends with the debriefing of a consultant at the end of an assignment. Participants will practice communication, conflict resolution and problem solving skills necessary for every step of assignment management. Participants will be introduced to checklists and templates that support the logistical and other aspects of assignment management. (3 days)
These skills programmes are run on request across the Region for a minimum of 10 and maximum of 20 participants.
How are the TSF Capacity Development Services funded?
The TSF is in a position to fully fund capacity development activities for some organisations directly targeted by the programme.
In other cases the TSF capacity development programme may only partially fund activities. Should the TSF Capacity Development Programme be unable to fund your request for support then we will support your application to other funding sources.
Organisations participating in the facilitated learning programme are required to fund workshop costs including venue and refreshments and participants travel where needed.
How do I contact the TSF capacity development programme?
If you are interested in any of the TSF capacity development services then please send an email to info@tsfsouthernafrica.com telling us about what support you would like to get from the TSF. A member of the TSF capacity development team will be in touch with you to discuss your request. Alternatively you can phone us on Tel +27 11 484 8217