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

RCOG International Office

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