Partnership Models and Subgranting in Humanitarian Settings Training Course

Introduction

This intensive 5-day training course provides a comprehensive and practical exploration of Partnership Models and Subgranting in Humanitarian Settings. In an increasingly complex and localized humanitarian landscape, strategic partnerships, particularly through subgranting to local and national actors, are critical for effective, principled, and contextually relevant aid delivery. This program will equip participants with the essential knowledge and strategic skills to identify, assess, select, and manage various partnership models, focusing specifically on the intricacies of subgranting processes, compliance, and capacity strengthening to ensure accountable and impactful collaborations.

The course goes beyond a theoretical understanding of partnerships, delving into the practical challenges and best practices of building equitable and effective collaborations, particularly within rapid onset emergencies and protracted crises. Through interactive case studies, hands-on exercises in due diligence and subgrant agreement drafting, and in-depth discussions on risk-sharing, capacity building, and dispute resolution, attendees will learn to navigate the complexities of power dynamics, ensure robust financial and programmatic oversight, and foster mutual trust and accountability. Whether you are a program manager, grants officer, finance professional, partnership lead, or a local NGO representative, this program offers an unparalleled opportunity to master the critical aspects of partnership models and subgranting to enhance humanitarian effectiveness.

Duration: 5 days

Target Audience:

  • Partnership Leads and Coordinators
  • Grants and Contracts Managers
  • Program Managers and Coordinators
  • Finance Officers and Accountants in Humanitarian NGOs
  • Compliance Officers and Internal Auditors
  • Local and National NGO Representatives seeking partnerships
  • Business Development and Resource Mobilization Professionals
  • Senior Leadership in Humanitarian Organizations

Objectives:

  • To provide a comprehensive understanding of various partnership models in humanitarian settings, with a focus on subgranting.
  • To equip participants with the skills to identify, assess, and select appropriate local and national partners.
  • To understand the critical components of a robust subgranting process, from due diligence to close-out.
  • To develop proficiency in drafting, negotiating, and managing subgrant agreements and ensuring compliance.
  • To explore strategies for effective partner capacity strengthening, risk sharing, and fostering equitable humanitarian collaborations.

Course Modules:

Introduction

  • The evolving humanitarian landscape and the imperative for partnerships, especially localization.
  • Defining partnerships in humanitarian aid: rationale, benefits, and challenges.
  • The specific role and importance of subgranting as a key partnership mechanism.
  • Overview of power dynamics and ethical considerations in humanitarian partnerships.
  • Course objectives and an outline of the modules.

Understanding Partnership Models in Humanitarian Aid

  • Direct Implementation: When and why international NGOs operate directly.
  • Consortium/Alliance Models: Collaboration between multiple organizations for large-scale responses.
  • Technical Partnerships: Leveraging specialized expertise from specific organizations.
  • Subgranting (Pass-Through Funding): The primary mechanism for funding local and national actors.
  • Strategic alliances and joint ventures: exploring deeper levels of collaboration.

Identifying and Assessing Potential Partners

  • Partner Mapping: Identifying local and national organizations with relevant capacity and reach.
  • Due Diligence Frameworks: Assessing legal status, governance, financial management, programmatic capacity, and safeguarding.
  • Capacity Assessment Tools: Methodologies for evaluating partner strengths and areas for development.
  • Risk Assessment: Identifying programmatic, financial, operational, and reputational risks associated with partners.
  • Ethical considerations in partner selection and avoiding "partner shopping."

The Subgranting Lifecycle: Pre-Award Phase

  • Call for Applications/Expression of Interest: Clearly defining funding opportunities for sub-grantees.
  • Proposal Review and Selection: Criteria for evaluating sub-grantee proposals.
  • Grant Negotiation: Discussing terms, budget, reporting, and special conditions with sub-grantees.
  • Developing the Subgrant Agreement: Key clauses, legal requirements, and specific donor flow-down clauses.
  • Capacity strengthening planning as part of the pre-award due diligence.

Financial Management and Compliance in Subgranting

  • Financial Due Diligence: In-depth assessment of partner financial systems and internal controls.
  • Budget Review and Approval: Ensuring sub-grantee budgets are realistic, justified, and compliant.
  • Financial Reporting Requirements: Defining formats, frequency, and submission processes for sub-grantees.
  • Disbursement Mechanisms: Managing advances, reimbursements, and payment schedules.
  • Fraud Prevention and Detection: Specific measures and monitoring for sub-grants.

Programmatic Management and Monitoring of Subgrants

  • Joint Planning and Work Plans: Ensuring alignment between prime and sub-grantee program objectives.
  • Performance Monitoring: Tracking sub-grantee progress against indicators and targets.
  • Regular Communication and Coordination: Establishing clear channels for updates and problem-solving.
  • Technical Support and Mentorship: Providing programmatic guidance and capacity building.
  • Adapting M&E approaches for partner-led implementation.

Capacity Strengthening and Risk Sharing

  • Needs-Based Capacity Building: Tailored training, coaching, and peer learning opportunities for partners.
  • Flexible Funding for Capacity Building: Budgeting for direct investment in partner development.
  • Risk Sharing Mechanisms: Approaches to share financial and operational risks equitably with partners.
  • Joint Problem-Solving: Collaborative approaches to address challenges during implementation.
  • Fostering an environment of mutual trust and respect to enable genuine capacity transfer.

Audit, Close-out, and Learning from Partnerships

  • Sub-Grantee Audit Requirements: Understanding donor expectations and specific audit procedures for sub-grants.
  • Preparing for Audit: Supporting sub-grantees in documentation and audit readiness.
  • Close-out Procedures: Final reporting, financial reconciliation, asset disposition, and archiving for sub-grants.
  • Performance Reviews and Lessons Learned: Jointly assessing partnership effectiveness and capturing insights.
  • Ethical and respectful close-out practices to preserve relationships.

Strategic Considerations and Future Trends

  • The Grand Bargain's Localization Commitment: Progress, challenges, and implications for partnerships.
  • Power Dynamics in Partnerships: Addressing historical imbalances and fostering equitable relationships.
  • Direct Funding Approaches: Exploring models for international organizations to transition to direct support to local actors.
  • Digital Tools for Partnership Management: Leveraging technology for due diligence, monitoring, and reporting.
  • Advocacy for systemic change to enable more effective and principled partnerships in humanitarian aid.

CERTIFICATION

  • Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

  • Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

  • Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com

 

Partnership Models And Subgranting In Humanitarian Settings Training Course in Kenya
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