The strategic plan from 2012-2015 for TFFT had 4 strategic objectives: 1) Advocating for orphan and vulnerable children's (OVC) rights to quality education, 2) Increasing OVC access to education and psychosocial support, 3) Strengthening partnerships and resource mobilization, and 4) Building TFFT's organizational capacity. An evaluation found mixed progress across the objectives, with advocacy efforts exceeding targets but challenges around allowance programs, capacity for mentoring and coaching, developing shared visions with partners, and fully institutionalizing monitoring and evaluation practices. Lessons learned include improving school accountability, engaging government strategically, diversifying fundraising, and linking graduating scholars to jobs. The evaluation informed goals for the new strategic plan around
2. Introduction:
The strategic plan 2012/13-2014/15 had 4
strategic objectives/goals:
1. Advocating equity for OVC rights to quality
education.
2. Commitment to OVC access to quality
education & psychosocial support.
3. Strong partnerships and resource
mobilization initiatives through broader
engagement
4. Build TFFT's capacity to achieve SO1-3
4. SO1_Analysis of factors
Assumption Capacity exists for community engagement
Facilitators CPP approach; CCON Network; Systemic
change
Constraints Partner schools and rules; Legal status of
CCON Membership; Expansion strategy absent;
Allowance syndrome; Late implementation
[2013]; Low/Absent Targets
Lessons Schools must be more accountable; Parochial
interests; Community engagement be tied to
disturbing the status quo
Taken
Forward
Strategic engagement with government; ToT
approaches; Innovative pilots with target
Weighted
Average
81%
5. SO2:
0
50
100
150
200
250
Y2012T Y2012A Y2013T Y2013A Y2014T Y2014A Y2015T Y2015A
Training based indicators for Teachers and OVC providers
Schools Trained Teachers Trained OVC Institutions trained OVC Centers inspected
7. SO2_Analysis of factors
Assum
ption
Facilitators Constraints Lessons Taken Forward
Capacit
y for
Mentor
ing and
Coachi
ng will
be
develo
ped
• TRC
cascade
of
trainings
• Expansio
n to
public
schools
• Media
engagem
ent
through
Radio
and TV
• Allowance
syndrome
• Foster families
not targeted
• Inadequate
capacity to
implement
mentoring and
coaching
• Partner schools
concept
changed
• Training
Orphanages on
counseling
plus
inspections not
done
• Engagement
strategies
with
government
must be
negotiated
• Allowance
syndrome
challenges
development
work
• Better &
realistic
targets
• MVC identification
criteria
• New strategy for
selecting schools
• Engage graduating
scholars more and
link
• Support and
mentor Teachers
• Develop revenue
generating
program
components
9. SO3_Analysis of factors
Assumption: Facilitating networks will contribute to strong advocacy on child rights and
open opportunities for increased visibility and donor funding [It is not the network but
values and interests of individuals and their practices that defines the visibility]
Facilitators
Partnership:
• TFFT Leadership of CCON buoyed the network
and consortia
• Positive values of some members in regard to
accountability
• ED passion on Fundraising provided opportunity
for training
Fundraising:
• Empowering donors to
fundraise on behalf of TFFT
• Integrating new approaches to
funding
• Expanding donor base and
nurturing relationships
Constrain
ts
• SEGAL withdrawal after just one year of funding
• Lack of a shared vision in CCON, and members wanting to benefit from TFFT instead of
being equal partners
• Low exposure of staff to grant based fundraising and engagement
Lessons
learned
• Diversifying fundraising mechanisms and spaces
• Building staff capacity in grant fundraisng
• Local fundraising initiatives critical for sustainability
• Coordinated management of grants & donor nurture
Taken
Forwar
d
• Local Fundraising initiated
• Focus on value-adding partnerships
• Strategic partnerships and fundraising
11. SO4_Analysis of factors
Assumption: Adequate and competent staff are critical in building strong
organizations [It is the way such staff are led, supported and motivated that
matters most]
Facilitat
ors
• Performance management system and staff development
• Systems, policies, innovations & learning institutionalized
• Partners and stakeholder engagement including media
Constra
ints
• Apathy towards the actual practice of M&E and learning
• Multiple transitions in 2015
• Communication and compensation policies
Lessons
• External faced program reviews facilitates visibility and partnership
• Appreciative use of M&E is an individual attitude and drive
• Institutionalization of policies and practices provides security and
focus.
Taken
Forward
• Annual Program Reviews and Annual M&E and Program Budgeting
• Institutionalization of progressive systems , policies and practices
• Performance review, Staff development, motivation and recognition
• Integration of research, monitoring, learning and evaluations in new
strategic plan