GUIDE TO SELECTING AN IMPLEMENTING PARTNER.
PRESENTED BY: CHINEDU O. AGORSON, Bsc, ACA, ACIB,CISA,CCNA cagorson@yahoo.com, cagorson@gmail.com
1. INTRODUCTION:
This piece is an executive summary of the processes and steps required for selecting a winning Implementing Partner for development work. It is the first in a series meant to enrich the body of knowledge available on the topic and provide guidance to local Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) desiring to manage donor funds.
Local NGOs provide the vehicle for effective intervention in their areas because of their closeness to the local communities. Faith-based organizations for example, command large followership, while community coalitions are established by the communities themselves.
1.1 LOCAL IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS (IPs)
Implementing partners are Non-Governmental Organizations, Community-Based Organizations, Community Coalitions and Faith-Based Organizations that are recipient of donor funding or support to implement development intervention activities in their community or areas of coverage.
They are expected to be not-for-profit organizations established with strong social network and capacity to support the intervention objective of the donor. They should have program experience and track record, with formal organizational structure, management processes and actively managed by their Trustees or Directors.
1.2 BASIS OF PARTNERSHIP:
The basis of the partnership between the donor and the implementing partner may include: 1. To implement intervention activities at different levels using local NGOs. 2. To strengthen the capacity of the organization to provide quality social services.