Delta Partnership is hosting a 2-day retreat in Uganda as part of the establishment of a Knowledge Management and Communication Centre (KMCC) for HIV/AIDS. The centre aims to rigorously analyse and synthesise the extensive body of research that exists in Uganda on HIV/AIDS, make it available to the public, and effectively communicate the key messages through innovative communication strategies and campaigns.
Attending the retreat will be key stakeholders in the HIV/AIDS sector in Uganda. The retreat will be a chance to all to discuss their visions, ideas, hopes and expectations for the centre and will help shape the agenda and vision.
If you would like more information about the knowledge management and communication centre that is being established, please do not hesitate to contact hannah@kmcc.org.ug. We are enthusiastic about getting people involved in this centre; we are seeking information and data from researchers, research bodies and organisations. We will also be setting up a secondment programme so to encourage 2-way learning from the centre.
For more information on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Uganda, and the national response to it, please click here.
DELTA, KENYA HAS A NEW OFFICE
Delta has recently moved from thier old premises in Langata Link, to a larger more spacious office in Karen Connection. We are now based at Office no. 27, Karen Connection, just off Karen Road in Nairobi.
Our East African business manager Wahome Gachihi, Director Aileen Lyon, Finance Manager Oscar Machira, and intern Elsa Khayanga are all based in this office.
Please do not hestiate to pop in if you are passing by!
A ‘Well told Story’ of communication in East Africa
Delta attended a fascinating talk last week by Rob Burnett, the director of A Well Told Story; an exciting, and innovative communications company that’s creating a big buzz in the region.
A Well Told Story combines the power of good stories with strategy, creativity, deep analysis and hard science, to design and produce communications that spur positive social changes that can be proved and measured. They create innovative media which reaches and engages millions of people every month. They also advise and support public and private sector organisations to use good communication to amplify their impact, create efficiency and achieve their goals.
Delta found their presentation particularly inspiring as we’re creating our own communication strategies in Uganda. We’re a few months in to establishing a knowledge management and communication centre for HIV/AIDS, and innovative and inspiring communication is our primary focuses. If you have any stories to share on effective communication in the development world, please let us know!
Technology that’s making Delta’s life easier
This week, Delta’s favourite new gadget is the smartpen by Livescribe…
The Echo smartpen from Livescribe records everything you hear and write, providing easy access to your notes and audio. Simply tap anywhere on your notes to play back your recording and find what you need.
From this you can:
- Record and link audio to what you write
- Search and share your notes and recordings from your computer
- send and share your notes to your colleagues using Livescribe Connect
We’ve found it incredibly useful for meetings with clients, taking minutes, ad-hoc meetings with people when you don’t have your laptop, and comes with the Delta deal of approval. If you’re interested please follow the link.
DELTA & UGANDA: STRATEGIC GROWTH
Delta has started 2012 with a new 3 year DFID-funded contract in Uganda to establish a knowledge management and communication centre for HIV/AIDS. We are working alongside communications specialists Scriptoria, and the International HIV/AIDS Alliance who have a permanent presence here in Uganda.
The Uganda Knowledge Management and Communications Centre (KMCC) will be an innovative multi-disciplinary hub that will collate, synthesise, analyse and communicate research and other knowledge to inform evidence-based policy and practice and thereby contribute to reduced annual HIV infections in the country.
The KMCC will be a Uganda led and Uganda owned initiative with major contributions from all key HIV/AIDS stakeholder groups in the country. The KMCC is one of four components of the DFID funded HIV/AIDS Prevention Programme for the Government of Uganda.
Business manager Hannah Swan is now based in Kampala and will be assisting in the coordination of the project, alongside Delta director Mike Thomson who will be offering project management support.
In addition to this assignment Delta is looking to grow it’s network of partners and associates in Uganda. We’re actively looking for new and interesting oppurtunities and like-minded people who would like to work with us in this area. Please feel contact hannah@deltapartnership.com if you would like to become involved in our work in Uganda, or if you have any oppurtunities you would like to discuss.
DELTA’s 2011!
Highlights of 2011!
Delta’s 2011 was one of positive change; we entered new markets, met new partners, and strengthened our focus on East Africa with plans to open a Delta office in Uganda. We enjoyed a successful year; winning and delivering some fascinating pieces of work.
Here are some Delta highlights from 2011:
Delta broadens their reach..
- Delta worked on two different programmes in Somalia. These involved carrying out training on management skills for civil servant in government ministries and in 4 local authorities. We are also leading a team to design a civic education strategy and materials to support a key governance programme;
- We are currently bidding for several assignments in South Sudan, Botswana, Malawi and Nigeria
Wins new assignments…
- We were delighted to win a 4 year DFID contract in Uganda to establish an HIV/AIDS knowledge management communication centre, working alongside UK communications specialist Scriptoria, and the International HIV/AIDS Alliance;
- We have reviewed numerous governance programmes this year in Kenya, Rwanda and a multi-country review;
- Delta conducted a civil service review for the Government of Anguilla, setting up the implementation framework;
- We have worked with several civil society organisations in Tanzania to improve their focus on results, including planning for and reporting on results for increased impact;
- We completed business cases as part of DFID’s drive to improve results, value for money and transparency.
Assignments continue…
- We have continued to give strategic support to DFID’s Civil Service reform in Ethiopia;
- We have continued working on the aid effectiveness agenda, updating the Kenya Joint Assistance Strategy and facilitating a strategic stakeholder workshop;
- In Jamaica, a fresh contract was issued to Delta for the next phase of support
- And continued our work on to the East African Community integration by working with government, civil society and private sector organisations
Changes to the Delta team…
- Delta director Louise Shaxson moved to a part-time position at the Overseas Development Institute in August. She continues to be a core member of the Delta team and we look forward to strengthening the relationship with ODI;
- From early 2012 UK business manager Hannah Swan will be based in Uganda giving support to the DFID HIV/AIDS knowledge and communication centre assignment, as well as growing the capacity and presence of Delta in the region;
- We have hired a finance and administration manager to work in our Nairobi office;
- Delta continued to develop it’s intern scheme in the Nairobi office, and we look forward to growing this further in 2012;
- Delta will appoint a non-executive director in January to facilitate the implementation of our growth strategy.
Delta Partnership: Service Offerings
Delta Partnership has developed a set of short briefing notes that communicate our expertise and knowledge in three core Delta service areas: Civil Service Reviews; Evidence Audits;  and Mid-term reviews and evaluations.
Mid-term reviews and evaluations Delta has been conducting reviews and evaluations since its inception in 2000 and is a core service that Delta offers. In 2011 we have conducted a Parliamentary review for the Westminster foundation for Democracy, a mid-term review for the public policy information monitoring and advocacy project in Rwanda for the Norwegian People’s Aid, and an evaluation of SIDA’s democracy and  human rights policy in Kenya.
Civil service reviews Director Mike Thomson has extensive experience of conducting public sector reviews across. Most recently he has been  in Anguilla conducting a a review of the civil service for DFID. For more information on Delta’s approach to this service please contact mike@deltapartnership.com
Evidence audits Louise Shaxson’s knowledge and expertise in the field of evidence based policy making led her to develop an ‘evidence audit’ service. This is a creative and innovative concept that Delta is very excited to be involved in. Please contact Louise directly for more details louise@deltapartnership.com.
BUSINESS CASE DEVELOPMENT IN SOMALIA
Conflict and insecurity present significant challenges to delivering aid, working with local partners, and the monitoring and evaluation of results. Validating results and conducting risk management actions are difficult but necessary for DFID and the international community as a whole to ensure aid is spent and delivered in the most effective manner; as such DFID needs a better assessment and analysis of the humanitarian situation and the priority of humanitarian needs. (more…)
Delta discusses: Grant giving programmes in East Africa
Delta director Aileen Lyon discusses her thoughts on grant giving programmes in East Africa, in particular DFID’s Accountability Tanzania Programme.
Please click here to view.
Scoping study on Education and Governance in Kenya
CIDA would like to design a five – seven year education and accountability support programme in Kenya which is responsive to the new constitution, and will support quality and equitable education. This will aim to improve governance and accountability issues in the education sector in the country.
Delta is performing a scoping study to appraise and define what the elements of quality and equitable education delivery in Kenya would be, to meet the standards of the new constitution in Kenya and the UN/internationally accepted quality standards of education.
Please click here to view more information on the education system in Kenya.
http://www.povertyactionlab.org/access-and-quality-kenyan-education-system
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