Komak Ltd: Development Consultancy; Property Maintenance and Computer Support in Eastbourne

This page gives more information on the range of training courses that I am now able to offer. These include: Project Cycle Management; Monitoring and Evaluation; Proposal and Report writing; Creating Organisational Strategy; Facilitation Skills; Organisational Governance; and Advocacy. For details of each of these see below:

All courses are in an interactive workshop style, with a range of case studies for groups to work with, role-plays, and other participatory exercises and games that contribute directly to the learning outcomes. Courses can be customised to some extent to suit participants’ requirements and work best with up to 25 participants. Comprehensive handout materials are made available for all courses.

Project Cycle Management.
This is the most requested course that I offer. Generally run over 5 days the course covers all aspects of the development project cycle from problem assessment to evaluation and reporting. The course also includes sessions on project identification, stakeholder and risk analyses, establishing monitoring and evaluation indicators, proposal writing, appraisal, activity planning, and more! Project design is based around the Logical Framework Analysis whilst emphasising a participatory approach to development. The course is taught using an interactive approach and uses case studies that enable participants to practice all aspects of the course content in order to reinforce their learning.

Monitoring and Evaluation.
A three day workshop which will help participants to understand why we monitor and evaluate development and relief projects; what we monitor and evaluate; and when we monitor and evaluate. Participants learn practical tools for planning monitoring and evaluation. They also learn how to apply different methods of monitoring and evaluation in the appropriate situation and context, and how to use the results of M&E in adjusting projects, feedback in to design, learning for new projects etc.. A prior understanding of logical framework analyses is helpful but not essential, and participants should come to the workshop with a recent example of their own project’s logical framework if possible.

Project Proposal and Report writing.
This one day workshop is designed to help NGO personnel with responsibility for writing proposals and/or reports for management and donors. It looks at good practice in proposal and report writing, key elements to include, different formats, etc. The workshop will help participants to understand what donors are looking for in a proposal or report so that they are better equipped to write appropriate and useful documents. If possible, participants should come to the workshop with a recent example of a proposal or report they have written.

Creating Organisational Strategy
Run over 2 or 3 days depending on the requirements of the organisation, this course covers some of the theory and practice of creating organisational strategy. From understanding what strategy is and why we need it, exploring various approaches to creating strategy, through to learning a number of tools for use in facilitating strategy development. We also look at why strategic plans sometimes fail and seek to learn from this in order to improve future practice.

Facilitation Skills
A one-day introduction to the art of facilitating groups, meetings and workshops. We look at the characteristics and skills of a good facilitator, tips for good facilitation and techniques for dealing with difficult groups. This workshop includes role-plays to enable participants to practice facilitation in a safe environment and learn through receiving immediate feedback.

Organisational Governance
This course is designed for current or potential Board members of NGOs as well as senior management staff. Ideally run over 4 days the course introduces the concept of good governance, looks at why Boards exist and the role of Boards. The duties, responsibilities and liabilities of Boards are explored and an emphasis placed on the difference between governing and managing. We look at different models of Boards and the relationships between Members, the Board and the Director / staff. Other sessions include ‘Values, Vision, Mission and Strategy’, ‘Assessing and reducing risks’, ‘Writing policies’, ‘Accountability’, ‘Understanding finances’, and ‘How to run effective Board meetings’. As with all of the courses I offer, there is a good mixture of theory and practical tools.

Advocacy
I am available to work as a co-facilitator for advocacy courses, working with an advocacy specialist. If you are looking for an experienced workshop facilitator with a basic understanding of advocacy, and the ability to lead sessions on subjects such as research, the links between advocacy and other development work, understanding politics and power, risk analysis, activity planning and monitoring and evaluation, then please get in touch. I am happy to work with advocacy specialists who are not experienced trainers.

Typical course outlines are available on request. I usually take bookings for courses several months in advance, although it’s always worth asking if you need something sooner! Please do get in touch if you think any of the above might be useful for you or your partner organisations in your region.

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