Program for Development of FAO's RBM and M&E Capacity

In 2015, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) engaged Baastel to help it entrench Managing for Results (MfR) across its work by developing a multi-faceted program to integrate MfR into planning, implementation, monitoring, learning, and reporting. The success of this mandate showcases Baastel’s ability to respond flexibly to client requirements for large-scale and complex training and capacity development in results-based management.

The comprehensive needs assessment that kicked off the mandate was one key to the positive outcomes Baastel achieved. Through interviews and focus group discussions in FAO headquarters and around the world, and an employee survey that garnered nearly 300 responses, the Baastel team gained insight on diverse employee needs and preferences for learning content as well as delivery methods. Using this information, they developed a blended learning program that combined face-to-face learning, e-learning, tailored manuals, and a reference guide in English, French, and Spanish. The FAO’s Senior Human Resources Officer commended the guide for using “concrete examples from FAO’s Strategic Framework and ways of working as the entry points to explain the principles of MfR.”

Complementing contributions such as in-person trainings in Accra and Bangkok, e-learning sessions delivered to some 70 employees in three FAO regional offices, and revisions of FAO MfR materials – including their logframes handbook — Baastel’s ongoing advisory services further translated theory into practice for a range of organizational roles. This included, for example, coaching personnel in developing MfR-friendly tools for country programming frameworks.

Working with technical specialists, managers and directors, and administrative staff, the Baastel team helped alleviate the confusion that some personnel felt over ongoing changes in the FAO. In collaboration with FAO managers, who often co-facilitated training sessions, they explained the new results-oriented approach and made sure everyone was on board with a shared understanding.

Drawing on in-house expertise and extensive network of associates, Baastel was able to build a strong team of specialized international consultants. This ensured that training and capacity development materials and services were adapted to the diversity of FAO’s language, cultural, and functional contexts, and facilitated global delivery.

Related Service(s)

• Training & Capacity Development

Related Impact Area(s)

• Social