This post is also available in: Français (French)
Objectives
Outputs
Guidance
All information in this section described in greater detail in the VectorWorks document How to Conduct a Field Assessment.
Preparation
At least 1 month before the stakeholder workshop:
At least 3 weeks before the stakeholder workshop:
During and immediately after the stakeholder workshop:
Conducting interviews and site visits
General points about these interviews and site visits:
Note on capacity building and country ownership:
As much as possible, involve key focal person(s) from the relevant government ministries and divisions in planning and they should lead the assessment. They will understand better the potential pitfalls and considerations around CD (and, therefore, do a better job of overseeing it) if they actively participated in the assessment. One possible way is to gradually give the government focal person more and more responsibility in leading the discussions. The lead implementing partner representative can do the first few interviews and the focal person(s) can lead the rest. The lead implementing partner representative will be available, if needed.
Moreover, remember that the focal person(s) will lead the trainings and supervision visits. By putting the focal person(s) in a visible leadership role in the assessment stage, you are setting the tone for country-led implementation.
Writing the draft implementation guidelines
It is important to remember that your implementation guidelines should (at least, at first) be a single document for all CD planned in the country. Planning the channels and presenting them in a single document helps the continuing efforts to ensure the proposed channels are aligned well, leverage each other where possible, and avoid duplication of effort.
Before you leave for the field, draft the table of contents and organize sections of the implementation guidelines. This will help you develop interview questions.
Every night:
Two days before wrapping up the field visit:
When you get back from the field:
With your team, review the presentation for the stakeholder meeting on the field assessment outcomes with the NMCP, MOE, and the other partners to make sure all are in agreement.
Debrief with the donor, the NMCP Program Manager, and leadership of other relevant stakeholders to ensure they know what to expect before the stakeholder meeting.
Email the presentation to everyone involved after the review. Copy the donor(s), the NMCP Program Manager and other relevant stakeholders.
Examples
Examples of country strategy guidelines documents from:
Resources
This post is also available in: Français (French)